Preview 2026 Tour de France: who will win the Tour?

Can Mathieu van der Poel live up to his name once again on the top step of the podium? With the 2026 Tour de France just around the corner, it could well happen. At the same time, there is no doubt that Tadej Pogacar is once again the hot favourite to take the yellow jersey back to Slovenia.

Or will Jonas Vingegaard repeat his performance from the Giro? Oranje Palace tells you everything about the Tour de France. And before you go off like a bat out of hell in the Sportsbook: Paris is a long way off, so bet responsibly!

When is the 2026 Tour de France?

The 2026 Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July and finishes on Sunday 26 July in Paris. The 113th edition begins with the so-called Grand Départ in Barcelona, where, for the first time in history, the Tour de France will kick off with a team time trial. After three stages in Catalonia, the peloton heads into France for a route taking in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the traditional finish in Paris.

Who are the main favourites for the 2026 Tour de France?

It’s starting to get a bit repetitive, but Tadej Pagacar is once again the clear favourite for the 2026 Tour de France. The Slovenian has already been crowned champion in France four times and looks set to be the frontrunner in this edition too. It’s no surprise that the odds for Pogacar to win the race are 1.30. Jonas Vingegaard is a fair way behind. Do you think the Dane might come out on top, perhaps due to a dip in form or a crash involving Tadej Pogacar? The odds for Jonas Vingegaard to win the race are 5.25.

Are there any other outsiders worth mentioning? Absolutely, as riders such as Paul Seixas, Isaac del Toro and Remco Evenepoel can always spring a surprise. Yet only two riders seem to have a genuine chance of bringing the yellow jersey to Paris. It is no coincidence that Pogacar and Vingegaard have accounted for the last six Tour de France winners between them.

Dutch riders in the 2026 Tour de France

One of the best things about a major cycling tour is that there are always a large number of Dutch riders taking part. This also applies to the 2026 Tour de France. Whilst competing for the yellow jersey is highly unlikely, winning one or more stages is certainly a possibility. With a total of 17 Dutch riders set to start in Barcelona, Mathieu van der Poel is the favourite to claim a stage victory.

Many eyes will also be on Thijmen Arensman. The Netcompany INEOS rider, the favourite to win the team time trial, finished fourth in the Giro d’Italia and hopes to make a big impression in France. It’s no surprise that he was the fastest rider on two stages last year. Can he repeat this feat in the 2026 Tour de France?

Favourites for the green jersey

As well as winning the yellow jersey, for some riders the aim is simply to establish themselves as the best sprinter in the peloton. For many years now, the best sprinter has walked away with the green jersey. Whilst last year we saw Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel in contention for the green jersey for a long time, that honour ultimately went to Jonathan Milan.

If the bookmakers are to be believed, the Belgian Jasper Philipsen is the hot favourite to win the green jersey. He did so previously in 2023 and hopes to clinch this prize once again. Other contenders include Tim Merlier and even our compatriot Olav Kooij. Might we be in for a bit of Dutch success?

Key stages of the 2026 Tour de France

Below is a brief overview of the most eye-catching stages in the 2026 Tour de France. Will you be adding them to your diary?

Stage 1: Team time trial (Barcelona)

The Tour kicks off straight away with a team time trial in Barcelona. In this stage, all teams race against the clock, meaning time gaps emerge early on. Strong teams can immediately put their general classification leaders in an ideal position, whilst weaker teams may find themselves trailing right from the start.

Stage 6: Pyrenees (Gavarnie–Gèdre)

The first real mountain stage in the Pyrenees. With gruelling climbs such as the Tourmalet, this will be the first test for the general classification contenders. It is often here that it becomes clear who is genuinely in contention for the yellow jersey and who is already falling behind.

Stage 16: Individual time trial

A crucial individual time trial in the middle of the third week. This stage is all about power, aerodynamics and focus. Can the strong time trialists make significant leaps up the general classification? And how will the pure climbers fare in this time trial?

Stage 20: The Alps (Alpe d’Huez)

Of course, Alpe d’Huez is a must-have stage in the 2026 Tour de France. This decisive mountain stage in the Alps will finish on or around Alpe d’Huez. Expect long, steep climbs that will make for a gruelling day. This is usually the moment when the Tour is definitively decided in the general classification.

Betting on the 2026 Tour de France

When betting on the 2026 Tour de France, it’s not just about the winner of the yellow jersey, but also about all sorts of smaller and often more interesting markets. For example, you can bet on the overall winner, stage winners, the points and mountains jerseys, or even who will be the first to reach the summit of iconic climbs such as the Tourmalet or Alpe d’Huez. Or how about ‘head-to-head’ match-ups between riders, where you bet on the one you think will cross the finish line first.

There’s also in-play betting during stages, with odds changing constantly. It is important to always gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. The Tour is unpredictable, with crashes, tactics and form all capable of changing everything. So remember that it is important to always put enjoyment first.