tour de france tours

Tour de France cycling tours in 2024: behind the scenes of cycling’s biggest race

Are you considering a Tour de France cycling tour for 2024?

Wondering whether to go DIY or opt for a Tour de France tour package?

Or perhaps you’re just intrigued as to what it takes to plan a trip to the world’s biggest cycling event?

This interview with Clément Cicuto, Sports Tours International’s General Manager for Europe, digs into the detail of planning the best Tour de France cycling tours.

Clément has been organising Tour de France holidays for Sports Tours International since 2011. His vast experience of the event means he has a ton of fascinating insights to share on everything from how to pick the best hotel for the stages you want to see, to what being a premium Tour de France tour operator means in practice.

1. Why are Tour de France cycling tours so special?

The Tour de France is the world’s most famous bike race and watching it live is a magical experience. There’s simply nothing like seeing the icons of the sport at a summit finish or on the streets of Paris, in real life.

Of course there are lots of ways you can watch the spectacle, but if you want a really special experience of the Tour (the kind of unique experiences that are normally reserved for the pros), you need to go with an official Tour de France operator. I explain more about official operators for Tour de France tours 2024 below .

1.1 Experience the tour like a pro

One of my favourite memories of a recent Tour de France trip was in 2015. We arrived at the mountain top finish and, as usual, it was a tiny area full of people and buses.

Our clients were cycling to the finish that day; we saw them come over the finish line, take photos on the podium and then be directed to the special hospitality area amongst all the dignitaries and sponsors, just hours before the peloton arrived. When we went to the buses, ours was parked amidst all the team buses, bikes and riders.

Our clients were so happy to be able to speak with the pros and get some really special photos – you don’t get closer to the action than that!

1.2 Once-in-a-lifetime experiences

There’s nothing like the feeling of the buzz on the coach at the end of the day, after everyone’s had a really unique and special experience. It’s an honour to be providing these outstanding experiences to our clients.

2. What kind of Tour de France bike tours will you offer in 2024?

We offer Tour de France official tours and we try to cover all of the key stages of the Tour de France each year. We offer both Tour de France spectator tours and trips where you can ride and watch.

You can find all of our trips on our website, here.

2.1 Grand Depart

The Grand Depart in 2024 will start in Florence, pass through Piedmont and end in Emilia Romagna. Stages 1 to 3 are Florence to Rimini, Cesenatico to Bologna and Plaisance to Turin. This is the first time the Tour has started in Italy, which makes catching the Tour here a particularly unique experience. Expect incredible scenery, picturesque villages, and passionate supporters.

Sports Tours International is offering a four night tour that includes access to the Relais Etape mid-stage hospitality area on Stage 1, access to the Izoard finish hospitality area on Stage 2 and access to the Village Depart area on Stage 3 .

Check out the four-night spectator tour  – sporting weekends don’t get much better.

The Tour de France’s most memorable moments are often in the Alps.

We’re particularly excited to offer a trip that will take our cyclists from the Alps all the way to the finish in Nice. It includes four mountain stages, including stage 19 (Embrun to Isola 200 via the Cime de la Bonnette) and stage 20 (Nice to Col de la Couillole with a mountain top finish at Col de la Couillole) which are set to be key moments in the race. Our guests will also enjoy final day hospitality at the stage 21 time trial between Monaco and Nice. More details here.

2.2 Finish in Nice

Due to preparations for hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, the Tour de France will not finish in Paris this year. It’s the first time in its 121 year history that the Tour hasn’t finished in the Paris region!

Instead, Le Tour will finish with a time trial in Nice. It’s the first time since 1989 that the Tour has finished with a time trial that has the potential to topple the leader.

We offer a three day weekend trip with Tour de France hospitality access on Saturday (Izoard Finish) and Sunday (Grandstand Finish). More details here .

Surely every serious Tour de France fan has to experience this unique event?!

2.3 Bespoke and custom getaways to the Tour de France

And finally, we also offer bespoke experiences – whether for a small group or 100 people.

Usually groups come to us knowing when they’d like to go and how many people the trip is for.

We’ll come up with an outline for what we can suggest. That might include a stage in an official Tour de France car, a Tour de France helicopter experience, access to the start village and stage finish or VIP finish hospitality.

We can also create special packages that put together different trips and experiences. There are some great options for those that aren’t riding too.

You can find full information about each trip on our website .

3. What does it mean to be an official Tour Operator of the Tour de France?

There are six official Tour de France Approved Operators for the UK. Of these only two are Diamond tour operators (the rest are gold, silver or bronze level). Of course Sports Tours is at the Diamond level and this means Sports Tours International gets the first choice for experiences for our clients.

3.1 Approved Operators

We often find there’s quite a lot of confusion about what being an approved operator means.

The answer is that the Approved Operators get priority access to Tour de France experiences that non-Approved operators can’t get.

VIP Hospitality

Approved Operators can book VIP hospitality areas at the stage starts, finishes, and along the racecourse.

An example is the Izoard VIP access area. It’s usually within 200m of the finish and centres around big food and drink trucks parked in a great spot with a VIP viewing area. There will also be a terrace, tables, chairs, free food, beer, champagne – and of course a TV to follow the race. Our clients will be mixing with the sponsors, dignitaries and organisers.

There are also other hospitality experiences such as a high quality four course meal with wine, with the professional riders passing within the last five kilometres of the stage.

Riding closed roads

Approved Operators can also get permission to ride on the race route ahead of the pros when the road is closed to the general public and cross the finish line.

We also offer clients the experience of meeting the Tour de France organisers at the Flamme Rouge marker, with 1 kilometre before the finish. They then escort us with the official car across the finish line just three hours or so before the pro race crosses.

Podium photos and other extras

Approved Operators can receive permission to take photos on the official podium.

There are also additional extras such as the option to ride in the Tour de France official car.

Our clients often tell us that these experiences make their trip unforgettable.

They mean that our clients can do a lot more with their day – for example they don’t need to get to the race four hours early to make sure they can get a spot by the barriers.

It also means they’re not caught out by last minute changes to the road closures. For example when the police in Tignes made a last minute decision to close the road the night before, it sadly meant many people were caught out – but not guests with an Approved Operator.

3.2 Diamond level Approved Operators

Of the Approved Operators, only two are diamond level Approved Operators in the UK – and we are one of them.

This means we have unlimited access, and first call on the experiences mentioned above.

For example if there are a limited number of spaces at the hospitality area at a summit finish, like Alpe d’Huez that’s always really popular, we get first call on the places; this means our clients don’t miss out on the best bits of the Tour.

So if we get a request for a bespoke trip for 20 cyclists that want to be at the top of Alpe d’Huez on race day, our premium status means that we should be able to accommodate that. In contrast, the non-diamond operators might get given less tickets to an experience or be asked to pick a different stage finish. The diamond level operators get priority.

3.3 Weekly contact with ASO

During the ten months between October and the start of the Tour de France, we have weekly contact with ASO to discuss arrangements for the Tour. Sometimes it’s group briefing calls, sometimes it’s calls with our contacts directly.

They are really helpful in providing huge amounts of detailed information that we need to make sure our trips run smoothly for our clients. For example which routes we should take to the Tour de France hospitality areas, exactly where the premium operator parking is at the finishes, maps and addresses.

They also suggest things that could be a great experience for our clients and help us ensure our clients have a more amazing experience than they expected.

4. What makes your Tour de France cycling holidays special?

We work really hard to make sure we offer the best tour de France cycling tours on the market. Our motto is “our experience makes yours” and we really believe this is true.

Our staff have a huge amount of knowledge and experience of the Tour de France – well over 50 years experience if you combine it together! It’s not just the hosts and guides our clients meet, but the people that our clients don’t always see – people like me!

I have been planning Tour de France trips for Sports Tours for fourteen years now and in total Sports Tours have been running Tour de France tour experiences for over twenty years (that’s twenty years of feedback to hone what we offer!).

I think this really makes a difference in the end product. The route changes each year and it’s only because of my and my team’s personal knowledge of the logistics for the Tour and connections that we can get the best accommodation and experiences for our guests.

The fact that we’re based in France and speak the language means we can have a very close relationship with the organisers and hotel owner. We have our own local knowledge of how things work in France that can really make the difference.

Finally, our guides are all passionate cyclists who love the Tour and looking after our guests. They make our guest experience unforgettable and deliver a first class service.

4.2 Support

We think we have the best logistics out there – we’ve got a fleet of minibuses and vehicles with bike racks and trailers, driven by French people that know their country and the race extremely well.

4.3 Diamond level Approved Operators

I’ve said a lot about the benefits this status has for our clients, so I won’t repeat that. However it does give us flexibility to ensure we can increase our numbers even when other operators have sold out their trips.

We try and incorporate each of the different VIP experiences described above within one of the four day three night Tour de France holiday packages. Usually it will be a different experience each day.

4.4 Larger numbers brings benefits for our clients

Every year we bring more than 500 clients to the Tour de France. We can do this because we’re diamond level Approved Operators and because our knowledge and planning means we can flex our team to ensure we still deliver the highest quality, unique experiences.

One of the reasons that it’s good for our clients that we have lots of clients, is that it means we can afford that diamond level operator access that provides the unique experiences. We can also justify services that other operators with less clients can offer. For example we can have more guides on the road with different speed riding groups. Or if we know we have a group of Spanish cyclists we’ll make sure we have a Spanish host.

We have more staff so we can be more flexible, for example if someone wants to spectate instead of ride or ride a longer or shorter route.

Finally, our clients tell us that they love the opportunity we provide them to meet other cycling fans from all over the world during their trip. The diversity of the countries our clients have come from makes for lots of interesting conversations and sometimes even lifelong new friends!

4.5 Based in the UK

We’re based in the UK, with an office in France and Ireland, and have all the necessary licences to operate in France, which many of our clients find reassuring.

We offer ABTA bonding too, just in case things go wrong. For example our clients won’t lose their money if the event doesn’t take place for some reason.

Take a look at all of our Tour de France trips on our website .

5. How does your Tour de France trip planning process work?

Planning our Tour de France bicycle tours is always a challenge because the route is different every year.

The upside for our clients is that it means they can book a trip with us every year and it will always be unique.

5.1 Finding the hotels

The first step in our planning process is to find the perfect hotels for our trips.

This is one of the most complicated areas to sort out because we can’t wait for the course to be announced to book the accommodation. If we did that, it would be too late and all the best places would have gone!

So we have to work on rumours of where the Tour de France route will go next year. We often have to take some risks and book hotels without having certainty on the route. It can be a bit stressful, but it’s mitigated by our extensive experience of planning these trips and we’ve never gone wrong yet.

We get calls ahead of time from our friends on the ground – for example our local French guides, hotel partners and contacts at tourist offices in the host towns. They tend to have the best knowledge about what’s likely to happen with the route and this means we can book the best accommodation before everyone else!

There’s more information on what we look for in our hotels, below .

5.2 Experiences

Once we’ve sorted out the hotels, we consider what hospitality and experiences we can build into the trip to ensure it’s really special for our clients.

We plan the best daily rides and climbs our cyclists can do to get to the Tour de France event. We flex these depending on our clients’ level of experience and fitness. We also plan unique activities for when it’s the Tour’s rest days.

Some clients ride, some don’t. If they ride, it’s up to them how far they go as we can accommodate non-riders in our support vehicles. Often it’s between 10 and 100km each day, but it’s up to them. We always have e-bikes available too so they can always jump on an e-bike if they’re not as fit as they thought! Our mechanics are always on hand to help with any bike problems.

5.3 Transport and suppliers

After accommodation, it’s time to arrange all the logistics, transport and transfers.

We work with suppliers like bike rental companies, we book restaurants and plan Tour de France merchandising for our clients.

We also prepare a detailed staffing plan to ensure we’ve got the best team on hand throughout each trip.

5.4 Itineraries

With these things in place we then create a detailed itinerary. The version clients see on our website is the brief version of the itinerary. We send a really detailed version to our clients about three weeks before the trip.

5.5 Working hand in hand with ASO

Everything we do is against the backdrop of the weekly calls and meetings we have with ASO. These start in October when the route is announced and continue all the way to the Tour itself. We have an excellent relationship with them and this means we can ensure the experiences we offer are the best, that the transport is slick and our itineraries create a unique trip our clients will remember forever.

6. How do you choose the hotels for your Tour de France holidays?

Picking the right hotels is key to the success of our trips.

6.1 Location, location, location

We look for a central location compared to the Tour de France route. This avoids our clients having to check in and out of a new hotel every day, which is not very relaxing and it’s very time consuming.

We also look for hotels that are accessible from an international airport, have lots to see around them, great views and good guided ride options.

6.2 Good quality

Our ideal hotels are good quality 3 or 4 stars with a secure room for the bikes. We aim to choose hotels that are family run as we find they offer a more authentic experience. The owners also often have a better understanding of what we need in terms of food and they’re great at connecting with our clients.

We also make sure our hotels offer an excellent breakfast and evening meal. In the morning it’s important for getting a busy day off on the right note and in the evening it’s got to be somewhere that’s good for a celebration!

6.4 Pro teams

Sometimes we are able to book our clients into the same hotels as a Tour de France pro team, which is really exciting.

We’re always on the lookout for where the pros will be staying and sometimes we get tips from the hotel owners that they’re going to get a pro team. Also in some towns we know which teams were allocated which hotels the previous time the Tour visited and usually they get allocated the same hotels again. It’s one of the benefits of booking with us – that we are so familiar with the history of the Tour and use this to maximise our clients’ experience.

Likewise, on normal years when the Tour visits Paris, everyone always loves the Mercure Hotel we stay at the Arc de Triomphe. It’s 200m from the Tour de France which is perfect.

7. How to go to the Tour de France: DIY versus a Tour de France package trip?

It can be tempting to plan your own Tour de France cycling trip. That can work well if you’re happy to just watch a stage and don’t mind making getting there, waiting, watching and going home the sole focus for your day.

However if you’re looking to get more from this great annual sporting event, an organised Tour de France trip is the way to get the perfect trip.

There are so many things that you can do on a tour with an Approved Tour de France Operator that you can’t do alone. It’s the things I mentioned above , things like having accreditation to ride the race route on closed roads, getting access to VIP areas and hospitality, having everything planned with the right information from the organiser which you can’t find online and having great hotels that are well-placed for the route.

A trip might only be three nights away in July, but you’re getting the benefit of a year’s worth of planning – and our twenty years of experience before that!

8. Where can people find more information?

You can get more information about Sports Tours’ many Tour de France cycling trips on their website .

Clément and the team would also be very happy to answer any questions – just contact them at +44 (0)161 703 8161 or [email protected] .

A huge thank you to Clément for sharing such an insightful behind the scenes look at what goes into planning a Tour de France trip.

Have you been on a Tour de France bike tour?

If you’ve been to France to spectate the Tour de France, let us know how it went in the comments below!

For those coming into France by plane, you might find this website useful – it shares an overview of all flight routes worldwide.

Got a question for Sports Tours International?

Fill out this form and Sports Tours International will reply (within 24 hours wherever they possibly can!)

We will use this info to send the enquiry to Sports Tours International. Our privacy policy explains more and here’s a reminder of our disclosure policy and terms and conditions.

Got a question for Clément?

Fill out this form and we will send it to Clément. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours wherever possible!

We will use this info to send the enquiry to Clément and/or their team. Our privacy policy explains more and here’s a reminder of our disclosure policy and terms and conditions.

Clément Cicuto is General Manager for Europe at Sports Tours International . He’s in charge of creating, planning and implementing all the company’s events in France. He’s been planning Tour de France (and L’Étape du Tour de France) trips since 2010 and loves the challenge, excitement and variety they offer. Based near Paris, he’s close to the Tour’s organisers and grateful to them for their continued support that ensure Sports Tours can offer such fantastic experiences to its clients.

The contents of this website are provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on it. You should carry out your own due diligence and risk assessments and take professional advice. Views expressed by interviewees or other users of this website do not necessarily represent our views. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our website is accurate, complete or up to date. If you use any information or content on this website, download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through our website, it is entirely at your own discretion and risk. Epic Road Rides Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the information and content on this website. Find out more here .

4 Responses to “Tour de France cycling tours in 2024: behind the scenes of cycling’s biggest race”

Looking for dates around 7/9-15/2023

We’ve been in touch – have a great trip!

I would like to get information about doing a closed road tour of 2024 TDF stage 3 on July 1, 2024 before the professional riders. Do you provide this type of tour? Do you also provide the bikes and what is the cost?

Hi Michelle, thanks for this, I’ll send you an email now. Best wishes, Clare

Leave your comment

Click here to cancel reply.

• Name (required)
• Mail (required) (will not be published)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Pro Cycling Races

• Tour de France

2025 Ride Across Portugal

• La Vuelta a España
• Giro d’Italia

Gran Fondos

• Etape du Tour Entry

Other Sports

Private trips.

Our Private cycling trips allow friends, families or corporate groups to enjoy Custom Getaways vacation exclusively with their crew alone. Learn More

Now accepting bookings for 2024 trips

2024 Tour de France

Now accepting bookings for our Tour de France trips!

2024 marks our 22nd consecutive year as a premium official tour operator delivering great race experiences and unparalleled access.

Now accepting bookings for our 2024 Vuelta trips

2024 vuelta a españa.

Now accepting bookings for our Vuelta a España trips!

As an official tour operator for the Vuelta, we deliver great race experiences for cyclists and spectators with unparalleled access.

Please email us for more information.

Now accepting pre-registrations for 2025

2025 giro d'italia.

Now accepting pre-registrations for the our 2025 Giro d'Italia trips.

Although we are not an official tour operator for the Giro, we have extensive experience hosting guests at this fun race in Italy.

Now accepting bookings for the 2025 Ride Across Portugal!

Now accepting bookings for 2025 Ride Across Portugal (RAP) trip!

As an official tour operator for the RAP, we deliver great experiences for cyclists and spectators with unparalleled support in this beautiful country.

Now accepting booking for Moab events in 2024 and 2025

Skinny tire events in moab, utah.

Now accepting bookings for 2024 Moab Century tour and the 2025 Skinny Tire Festival in Moab, Utah!

Our sister company, Skinny Tire Events operates two road cycling events each year with rides in the beautiful red rock country around Moab, Utah including Arches Nat'l Park!

Ride like a pro!

2024 etape du tour.

Ride an entire Tour de France mountain stage a few days before the pros. Timed Gran fondo on closed roads!

About Custom Getaways

Custom Getaways is an experienced Tour Operator, specializing in VIP access to the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Our Experience as the original, Official Tour Operator for the Tour de France, our network of contacts, our partnerships and our insight to the world of Pro Cycling allow us to offer unparalleled experiences. We are Official Tour Operators, appointed by the race organizers themselves, for such races as: The Tour de France, Vuelta a España and l’Etape du Tour. We also operate tours at the Giro d’Italia and are an official tour operator for the Ride Across Portugal.

If you love to ride and are looking for a change of setting, we also own Skinny Tire Events, a company that operates 2 road cycling events each year in Moab, Utah. The Skinny Tire Festival is in March and is a 4 days of riding in the red rock landscape around Moab, including Arches National Park.  Moab Century Tour is a 2 day road cycling event in September that does two back to back Metric century rides (100 kilometers/62 miles). We look forward to having you along soon for an experience of a lifetime!

The most exciting and life-changing travel experiences the world has to offer you.

2024 Tour de France Spectator

July 2, 2024 to july 8 2024.

Join our ‘Viewing and Vineyards’ Spectator Tour for 7 thrilling days, merging the Tour de France excitement with French winemaking. Explore Burgundy’s vineyards, witness race highlights, and visit prestigious Champagne Houses. Enjoy wine tastings, cultural immersions, and local cuisine, connecting with fellow enthusiasts. The journey ends in Troyes, capturing the Tour’s essence. Depart from Charles de Gaulle Airport with cherished memories and newfound friendships from this captivating Tour de France and wine heritage experience.

Key Details

• 7 Days (6 Nights)
• All Breakfasts, 5 Dinners, 2 Wine Tastings
• Support Vehicle
• Fully Support
• English Speaking Guides

Twin Share $5600

Tour gallery.

Lyon, France,  July 2, 2024

Paris, France , July 8, 2024

Group Size: 20 guests – 3 staff

Accommodation: 3 to 4-star hotels, twin share, optional single supplement when booking

Spectator Only Tour: Our Spectator Tour de France tours cater only to spectators. Our main focus is watching the race and immersing ourselves in the culture of the regions we visit. This trip is aimed at those with a keen interest in the Tour de France as our trip follows the excitement and fanfare of the Tour de France. It also indulges in the culture of each region when we aren’t at the race.

• Buffet breakfast daily
• 3 course evening meals on 5 nights
• 2 wine tastings, Burgundy and Champagne
• Wine at welcome and farewell dinners
• Transport throughout on our luxury coach
• 6 nights accommodation at 3 & 4 Star hotels
• Scheduled arrival transfers at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
• Scheduled departure from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
• Hosted by our experienced tour guides and professional drivers
• Champagne and Wine tours
• See 4 stages of the 2024 Tour de France including stage starts, finishes and ITT
• Experience and stay in the famous wine regions of Burgundy and Champagne
• Finish in Paris
• Stay at 3 and 4 star accommodation
• World class wine and culinary experiences

Price: AUD $5600 (twin share)

Single Supplement:  AUD $830 – Limited Single Rooms Available

Note:  All trip costs are per person, not including airfare, and are based on two persons per room. If traveling alone we will match you with a person to share. Alternatively, you may choose to have a room of your own by paying a single supplement.

Note:  It is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have  Travel Insurance  for your trip.

For over 27 years, Bikestyle Tours has crafted immersive experiences at the Tour de France. Join us to explore France’s finest wine-making regions and witness the thrilling 111th Tour up close. This adventure promises an exquisite blend of French cuisine, scenic landscapes, and the grandeur of the Tour de France, featuring four exhilarating race viewings, including a pivotal Individual Time Trial.

Tailored for Tour de France and culture aficionados, this adventure seamlessly blends the excitement of Tour de France spectating with luxurious wine and gastronomic explorations in the world’s premier wine regions. Commencing in Lyon, we dive into the heart of the Burgundy wine region, granting access to stage starts and finishes, including the crucial Individual Time Trial. While the Tour progresses to Troyes, our journey takes us north to Champagne, where we immerse ourselves in renowned Champagne houses before witnessing the race in Troyes. The grand finale awaits in the enchanting city of Paris, celebrated worldwide for its art, fashion, culinary delights, and diverse cultural heritage.

See the 111th Tour de France on 4 occasions

Stage 6 ★★★☆☆, Sprint

Stage 7 ★★★★☆, ITT

Stage 8 ★★★★☆, Sprint

Stage 9 ★★★☆☆, Sprint

Bienvenue en France

• Date Tuesday 2 July 2024
• Location Côte d'Or, France

At Lyon Saint Exupery Airport, our staff will welcome you at 2pm. We’ll transfer to accommodations nestled amid the picturesque Côte d’Or vineyards, offering proximity to renowned Burgundy winemakers and the Tour de France. The region boasts a prestigious winemaking history, situated along the western banks of the Saone and producing some of the most  sought-after vintages. Our welcome dinner promises a delightful immersion into local wine and cuisine, allowing you to savour Burgundy’s distinctive flavours while fostering connections among fellow enthusiasts and guides.

• Collection from Lyon Saint Exupery Airport at 2pm
• Stay in wine region along the Saone River
• Welcome Dinner (including wine)

Burgundy Winemakers

• Date Wednesday 3 July 2024

Today marks a cultural immersion in the Burgundy Winemakers’ realm as the riders approach. Delve into the region’s essence with a wine tasting at a local vineyard, exploring Burgundy’s celebrated viticulture heritage. Known for producing esteemed varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this experience offers insight into the wine-making mastery deeply rooted in the area.

Later, our evening unfolds with a special dinner at a local restaurant, inviting you to savour the flavours and culinary prowess of Côte d’Or. Enjoy a gastronomic journey, experiencing the rich and diverse cuisine this region is renowned for. This day seamlessly combines the excitement of the Tour de France with an authentic exploration of Burgundy’s wine culture and gastronomy.

• Wine tasting and tour of Burgundy Winemakers
• Dinner in the Côte d’Or

The Action of the TDF

• Date Thursday 4 July 2024

Following our French cultural immersion, today is all about the thrill of the Tour de France. We embark on an exhilarating journey to the stage start in Macon, witnessing the riders’ departure. Quickly advancing along the route, we aim to catch their arrival in Dijon, ensuring an action-packed day fully immersed in the energy and excitement of the Tour de France.

• Stage start in Macon
• Stage finish in Dijon

Race Against Time

• Date Friday 5 July 2024

Today brings another day amongst the Tour de France, this time it’s the ‘time trial’. As the riders compete against the clock, we’ll explore the starting area, observing them as they warm up for this challenging test. It’s an excellent opportunity to witness the race and indulge in the latest bike tech, especially for the enthusiasts. Post-stage, the evening offers free time to explore the village, providing opportunities to savour beautiful local cuisine and immerse in the charming surroundings.

See the ITT at Nuits Saint Georges

Champagne Houses

• Date Saturday 6 July 2024
• Location Champagne, France

Today, while journeying north toward the prestigious Champagne winegrowing region, we’ll capture the race fervour at Semur en Auxois for another thrilling stage start. As we savour the race excitement, we’ll continue our path to Champagne, known for its legendary Champagne Houses. This region boasts a rich history dating back centuries, with a unique mastery in producing the world-renowned sparkling wine.

Upon arrival, a visit to a Champagne House offers a fascinating tour and tasting, allowing an immersion into the intricate processes and traditions that contribute to Champagne’s global fame. The evening culminates with a delightful dinner, providing a chance to unwind while cherishing the day’s blend of race thrill and Champagne’s exquisite wine heritage.

• Stage start in Semur en Auxois
• Champagne House tour and tasting

White roads of Troyes

• Date Sunday 7 July 2024

Today marks the pinnacle of our Tour de France action. We journey to Troyes, for both the start and finish of Stage 9. Excitement fills the air as riders confront the challenge of the region’s white gravel roads, adding a thrilling dimension to the race. GC riders strategise on these stages to avoid positional setbacks.

We’ll witness the electric start and dramatic finish in Troyes, immersing in the vibrant town atmosphere throughout the day. As the sun sets, we come together for a final dinner, a celebratory gathering to honour our journey. The day encapsulates the essence of the Tour’s excitement, offering a memorable conclusion to our adventure.

• Stage Start in Troyes
• Stage Finish in Troyes
• Farewell Dinner
• Date Monday 8 July 2024
• Location N/A

Today marks the end of our incredible journey together. We’ll bid you a fond farewell and wish you safe travels for your onward adventure. Our morning will begin with our departure from the hotel, as we embark on a comfortable journey aboard our coach. To our departure point at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, ensuring a seamless transition for your onward flights.

As you head towards your next destination, take with you the memories, experiences, and the camaraderie forged during our remarkable Tour de France adventure. Bon voyage!

Airport drop off at Charles de Gaulle Airport – 12pm

Bike hire available

Worried about travelling with your own bike we have basic and premium options available..

• One of the largest private fleets of carbon bicycles available to our guests
• We service bikes after every hire, and set them up to your measurement before your arrive
• Just bring your own helmet and pedals

Why Book with Bikestyle Tours?

Because we understand the commitment to book in uncertain times..

• Bikestyle Tours complies with the COVID requirements of the local authorities (Tourism and Accommodation, Bike Tours); such as controls for social distancing, cleaning and hygiene, vehicle transport
• Check your departure and return requirements for your country of residence

Are Trips Guaranteed Departures?

We make every effort to guarantee departures to give you peace of mind that once you’ve booked your trip – you’re going! We do not cancel trips due to insufficient numbers leaving you stranded.

We organise and run cycling tours that are the envy of others and create lifelong memories. We are your specialists in cycling holidays in France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Belgium and California.

• [email protected]
• PO Box 3813 ROBINA TOWN CENTRE QLD 4230 AUSTRALIA

ABN: 71 627 386 038

Copyright © 2023 Bikestyle Tours | Privacy Policy

Trip Enquiry

Search Results

Tour de France

Why Choose Thomson?

We can't talk about our Spectator Trips without discussing the passion, knowledge and enthusiasm of your guide, Jacinta, who lives in France year round. A true pro, Jacinta’s wild personality and boundless energy make for a truly exceptional experience. Her connections will get you the ultimate insider access and her antics will have you howling with laughter. Simply the most fun you can have at a bike race.

We are the Number 1 Official Tour de France Tour Operator - awarded Premium status by ASO

Meet the riders and Tour celebrities in the VIP Departure Village. Mix and mingle in the Team Paddock where the teams congregate for 2 hours pre race - reserved for VIP's - always a favorite with spectators!

Our "Premium" status gives us access to the Top Hotels close to the Tour Stages

Situated opposite the Finish Line, the Izoard VIP Tribune offers VIP hospitality and unparalleled viewing of the stage finish.

Nancy Ferguson, Canada — 2019

Jason Erbecker, USA — 2023

Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour - Alps & Paris

Every aspect of this trip was well thought out and coordinated. The hotels, venues, meals, etc. were all first rate. Most importantly, the variety of the stages we attended and saw was excellent. Rather than simply seeing repeat stages, every day was another unique look into the Tour de France. This was clearly not happenstance, but rather a well planned occurrence. The access to the riders and staff was more than I expected. What an excellent tour!

Cindi Barton, USA — 2018

2024 Tour de France

The 2024 Tour de France with the Premium Official Tour Operator

June 26 2024

2024 Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Grand Départ

Indulge in our Luxury Bespoke Package, with our 5 cities Italian tour, offering lavish accommodations, extraordinary cultural visits to Florence, Siena, Bologna, Milan and Piacenza, unparalleled guide services, and top-quality meals and wine.

July 03 2024

2024 Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Burgundy

The Bespoke Burgundy bundle provides a premium package with a blend of 5-star accommodation, gourmet meals, exquisite wines, and exclusive VIP viewings.

July 11 2024

2024 Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Pyrenees

This mini trip showcases everything the Tour de France has to offer! A VIP mid View, a VIP Start and a VIP Mountain Viewing!

July 16 2024

2024 Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Alps & Nice

Embark on the ultimate Luxury experience during our final week, with deluxe accommodations, expert guides, top notch meals and wine, culminating in an exclusive Premium VIP viewing of the thrilling finale Time Trial on the last day

July 19 2024

2024 Tour de France VIP Spectator Tour – Nice Weekend

A unique, weekend experience to the final 2 stages of the 2024 Tour de France in NICE, staying at the top hotel in Nice, the luxury 5-star Anantara Plaza, directly opposite the Finish Line of the Final Stage!

Stage Detail

Florence > Rimini

It’s rare for the Tour de France to start with more than 3,600 metres of climbing – in fact it’s never happened before! – and it’s also the first time that the race has visited the home city of Gino Bartali. The succession of hills in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna are likely to be the setting for an immediate and testing confrontation between the contenders for the title, particularly the climb into San Marino (7.1km at 4.8%), where the race will add a 13th name to its catalogue of foreign visits.

Cesenatico > Bologna

The passage across the Emilia-Romagna region is straightforward enough to begin with as it takes the peloton to Imola and its famous motor racing circuit. The final part of the stage, featuring the climb to the Sanctuary of San Luca (1.9km at 10.6%), the traditional finale of the Giro dell’Emilia, which will be tackled twice in the final 40km, offers fertile terrain for the peloton’s puncheurs.

Piacenza > Turin

The sprinters will have started the 2024 Tour with their teeth gritted, but now they’ll have something to sink them into with the finish in Turin. Prior to that, the peloton will pay a passing tribute to Fausto Coppi by heading through Tortone, where il campionissimo died. By that point, though, the sprinters’ domestiques will already be hard at work, their focus on ensuring a sprint finale. There’ll be little room for manoeuvre for the breakaway riders.

Pinerolo > Valloire

The race leaves Italy after a long climb to the resort of Sestrières, where Coppi triumphed in 1952, the border subsequently reached at the Col de Montgenèvre. Then, after ascending the Lautaret pass, the riders will tackle the 2,642-metre Galibier. This will be the first opportunity for the favourites to test themselves in the high mountains.

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Saint-Vulbas

The race’s temporary exit from the Alps will be made via Chambéry. Soon after, the peloton will be in La Bridoire, where the finish of the Classique des Alpes Juniors is regularly held. That’s a race for climbers, but they won’t get a look-in here as they head for Saint-Vulbas. After the Côte de l’Huis, tackled with 34km remaining, the wide roads beyond will be ideal for keeping a close eye on the breakaway riders. The winner’s bouquet looks destined to go to a sprinter.

Mâcon > Dijon

Fans of medieval architecture will be treated to aerial images of Cluny Abbey and much more. The breakaway will set off with the ambition of holding off the peloton’s pursuit though the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise, but the sprinters should have the last word on the 800-metre straight into the prefecture of the Côte-d’Or.

Nuits-Saint-Georges > Gevrey-Chambertin

Individual time-trial

Great wines for great riders! But before venturing into the heart of the vineyards, the time trial specialists will spend almost two-thirds of this time trial on forest roads. The climb of the Côte de Curtil-Vergy (1.6km at 6.1%), which comes in the final section, will test their tolerance to pain. On the face of it, there shouldn’t be any big gaps between the best riders, but who knows?

Semur-en-Auxois > Colombey-les-deux-Églises

Although no altitude records will be broken, the first two-thirds of this stage does feature five categorised climbs. The relentless ups and downs may put a strain on the legs at the point when the sprinters’ team-mates are starting to think about setting up a bunch finish. But the last three kilometres of the final straight, which rise slightly but steadily, could be the ideal place to bring the peloton back together.

Troyes > Troyes

The Tour’s first week concludes with a new feature: white roads, which are already an emblematic feature of Strade Bianche and Paris-Tours. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift made the first passage across Champagne’s gravel roads close to Troyes in 2022. There will be 14 sectors, including six in the final part of the stage, extending to 32km in total, each sector pitching the riders onto the gravel and into the dust.

Orléans > Saint-Amand-Montrond

Heading through the Sologne forest, it’ll be difficult to predict the outcome of this stage, as the weather may play a significant role. After leaving Issoudun, the riders will find themselves on roads exposed to the crosswinds that scattered the peloton a decade ago. With three changes of direction in the last 30 kilometres, there’s a real chance of echelons forming.

Évaux-les-Bains > Le Lioran

There’s only one stage across the rugged Massif Central, but what a stage it is! With 4,350 metres of vertical gain, the riders will have to be on their mettle at all times, and particularly in the final 50 kilometres, when the degree of difficulty rises a level with a series of very challenging obstacles: the climb to the Col de Néronne, then to the Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol with its fearsome final two kilometres, then continuing on to the Col de Pertus, the Col de Font de Cère and the ascent to Le Lioran. They provide all manner of opportunities for eager climbers to attack.

Aurillac > Villeneuve-sur-Lot

The aesthetic landscapes of the Cantal and Lot regions won’t distract the baroudeurs (breakaway specialists) from the knowledge that there’s something for them to play for. The terrain here is all hills, with the climb to Rocamadour standing out – it’ll be tackled in the opposite direction to the route taken by the 2022 Tour time trial. The second part of the stage is more suited to the sprinters’ teams that are set on chasing the break down. However, on two previous and similar stages into Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the breakaway managed to hold off its pursuers.

The Lot-et-Garonne serves up some lovely balcony roads early in the stage, when the formation of the breakaway will be closely monitored by the sprinters’ teams, who will have studied the route carefully. If they judge their effort correctly, they won’t be caught out by the day’s escapees. However, amidst the hilly terrain approaching the finish, the Blachon and Simacourbe climbs could pose a problem for those sprinters who don’t feel comfortable in the hills.

Pau > Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet

The dynamic format of the first Pyrenean stage is accentuated by the fact that battle is unlikely to commence until the riders have gone through Lourdes. From that point, with 80 kilometres remaining, there’ll be a festival of climbing, featuring the Col du Tourmalet, the Hourquette d’Ancizan and the climb to Pla d’Adet. Fifty years on, the finish line will be exactly where it was when Raymond Poulidor celebrated victory in the 1974 Tour.

Loudenvielle > Plateau de Beille

The third Sunday of the Tour could prove crucial. Whatever’s happened on the previous days in the mountains, the terrain on this stage is ripe for revenge or confirmation, with 4,850 metres of vertical gain on the menu over almost 200 kilometres of racing. All manner of scenarios could play out, and it’s not unrealistic to imagine that team-mates of the GC contenders will attempt to infiltrate the breakaway climbing the Peyresourde. That would prove invaluable given what lies ahead, especially in a finale that features the climbs of the Col d’Agnes and the Port de Lers followed by the final haul up to Plateau de Beille.

Gruissan > Nimes

The sprinters may be heavily tipped for success when the race heads away from the coast near Narbonne, and maybe even when the riders pass over the Pic Saint-Loup. But the Mistral can blow fiercely at this time of year and could well upset the plans of the sprinters if those teams that feel at home when it’s windy end up scattering the peloton.

Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Superdévoluy

As the race homes in on the southern Alps, there will be no significant obstacles crossing the Drôme. The tests beyond that, though, are likely to encourage the formation of a large breakaway group, whose members will have a chance to shine, assuming they can deal with the climbs in the final 40 kilometres. We’ll get a clearer idea of this on the ascent of the Col Bayard, although the final selection should be made on the Col du Noyer (7.5km at 8.4%), with the final decision coming on the approach to the Superdévoluy ski station.

Gap > Barcelonnette

The altimeter drops temporarily, although the sprinters will still have to go right to their limits in order to claim the final bouquet within their grasp. That’s down to the fact that once the peloton has admired Lake Serre-Ponçon, the day’s attackers will have a few hills to exploit as they seek to maintain their lead. A strong puncheur might be able to go clear on the Côte de Saint-Apollinaire, and they’ll even more opportunity to do so on the Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées.

Embrun > Isola 2000

The menu for this ultra-mountain stage could well make you dizzy, but it’ll also whet the appetite of the very best climbers. Although the stage is less than 150km long, the riders will climb above 2,000 metres on three occasions, the biggest test the climb to the summit of La Bonette, the highest road in France at an altitude of 2,802 metres. Its 360-degree panorama is breath-taking.

Nice > Col de la Couillole

The Paris-Nice regulars will be racing over familiar terrain, but that won’t make things any easier if the contest for the Yellow Jersey is still raging, particularly over such a short distance. Battle could commence as early as the climb to the Col de Braus. There will then be no respite on the climbs of the Cols de Turini, de la Colmiane and finally de la Couillole, the final ascent extending for 15.7km at an average gradient of 7.1%. We’ll all be holding our breath!

Monaco > Nice

Everyone remembers the last occasion the Tour finished with a time trial, when Greg LeMond stripped the yellow jersey from the shoulders of Laurent Fignon on the Champs-Élysées in 1989, by just eight seconds. Thirty-five years on, we can but dream of a similar duel, involving two or three riders, an authentic athletic confrontation whose outcome would determine the final podium of the 111th edition, and the first to finish far from its familiar Parisian setting, the ultimate finale destined for Place Masséna, just a few pedal-strokes from the Promenade des Anglais.

Be the first to hear news, offers and promotions.

Sign up for emails to get special news and offers from Thomson Bike Tours

By signing up here I agree to receive Thomson’s email newsletter and promotional offers.

Welcome to Thomson Bike Tours

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Tour de France Results

• Copy Link copied

Thursday, July 4

A 101.6-mile ride from macon to dijon ..

1. Dylan Groenewegan, Netherlands, Team Jayco, 3:31.55.

2. Biniam Girmay, Eritrean, Intermarche-Wanty, same time.

3. Fernando Gaviria, Colombia, Moviestar Team, same time

4. Phil Bauhaus, Germany, Bahrain Victorious, same time.

5. Arnaud De Lie, Belgium, Lotto Dstny same time.

6. Wout Van Aert, Belgium, Visma Lease a Bike, same time.

7. Arnaud Demare, France, Arkea-B&B Hotels, same time.

8. Alexander Kristoff, Norway, Uno-X Mobility, same time.

9. Pascal Ackerman, Germany, Israel-Premier Tech, same time.

10. Piet Allegaert, Belgium, Cofidis same time.

42. Matteo Jorgenson, United States, Team Visma/Lease a Bike, 3:31.55.

117. Sean Quinn, United States, EF Education-EasyPost, 3:32.24.

163. Neilson Powless, United States, EF Education-EasyPost, 3:35.13.

Overall Standings (Yellow Jersey)

1. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates, 26:47.16.

2. Remco Evenepoel, Belgium, Soudal Quick-Step/Bel, :45s behind.

3. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark, Team Visma/Lease a Bike, :50s.

4. Juan Ayuso, Spain, UAE Team Emirates, 1:10s.

5. Primoz Roglic, Slovenia, Red Bull-Bora-Hansbrohe, 1:14s.

6. Carlos Rodriguez, Spain, Ineos Grenadiers, 1:16s.

7. Mikel Landa, Spain, Soudal Quick-Step, 1:32s.

8. Joao Almeida, Portugal, UAE Team Emirates, same time.

9. Giulio Ciccone, Italy, LDL-Trek, 3:20s.

10. Egan Bernal, Colombia, Ineos Grenadiers, 3:21s.

11. Matteo Jorgenson, United States, Team Visma, 3:21s behind.

45. Neilson Powless, United States, EF Education-EasyPost, 20;52s.

96. Sean Quinn, United States, EF Education-Easypost, 1:00.21s.

Team Standings

1. UAE Team Emirates, 80:25.01.

2. Ineo Grenadiers, 4:54s behind.

3. Soudal Quick-Step, 5:02s.

4. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, 6:34s.

5. Bahrain Victorious, 11:27s.

6. Movistar Team, 13:24s.

7. Team Visma/Lease a Bike, 17:39s.

8. EF Education-Easypost, 24:06s.

9. LIDL-Trek, 28:41s.

10. Team DSM-Firmenich Postnl, 34:33s.

Climber (Red Polka Dot Jersey)

1. Jonas Abrahamsen, Norway, Uno-X Mobility, 26pts

2. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates, 20 pts.

3. Valentin Madouas, France, Groupama-FDJ, 16 pts.

4. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark, Team Visma/Lease a Bike, 15 pts.

5. Remco Evenepoel, Belgium, Soudal Quick-Step/Bel, 12 pts.

6. Stephen William, Great Britain,Israel-Premier Tech, 10 pts.

7. Carlos Rodriguez, Spain, Ineos Grenadiers, 10 pts.

8. Frank Van den Broek, Netherlands, Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL, 9 pts.

9. Ion Izagirre, Spain, Cofidis, 8 pts.

10. Juan Ayuso, Spain, UAE Team Emirates, 8 pts.

Youth-U26 (White Jersey)

1. Remco Evenepoel, Belgium, Soudal Quick-Step/Bel, 26:44:09.

2. Juan Ayuso, Spain, UAE Team Emirates, :25s behind.

3. Carlos Rodriguez, Spain, Ineos Grenadiers, :31s behind.

4. Matteo Jorgenson, United States, Team Visma, 2:36s.

5. Santiago Buitrago, Bahrain Victorious, 3:25s.

6. Ilan Van Wilder, Soudal Quick-Step, 4:56s.

7. Ben Healy, Israel, EF Education-EasyPost, 7:27s.

8. Javier Romo, Spain, Movistar Team, 9:04s.

9. Tom Pidcock, Great Britain, Ineos Grenadiers, 11:38s.

10. Oscar Onley, Great Britian, Team dsm-firmenich Post/NL, 11:57s.

Search Results

Tour de France

We’re the number one Official Premium Tour Operator for a reason.

Discover the perfect mix of live race-viewing and challenging and rewarding rides on the legendary routes and climbs of the Tour de France.

Trip Calendar

August 2024

September 2024

October 2024

November 2024

December 2024

January 2025

February 2025

August 2025

September 2025

October 2025

November 2025

December 2025

Canary Islands

Netherlands

Switzerland

Top Destinations

French Alps

French Pyrenees

Gran Canaria

Italian Alps

Mediterranean

Picos de Europa

Spanish Pyrenees

Cycling Camps

EPIC Trans-Challenges

Gran Fondos

Hospitality

Private Trips

Trans-Challenges

Aire St Michel

Allt Chreaga Dubha Waterfall

Alpe d'Huez

Alpe di Neggia

Alpe di Poti

Alpe di Siusi

Alt de Sant Grau

Alto Basurero

Alto da Castanheira

Alto da Pedrada

Alto de Alfarnatejo

Alto de Arguayo

Alto de Aritxulegi

Alto de Bikotxgane

Alto de Buenavista

Alto de Escrita

Alto de Fataga

Alto de Gredos

Alto de Hijas

Alto de Izpegi-ko Gaina

Alto de la Colladiella

Alto de la Comella

Alto de la Cubilla

Alto de la Falla

Alto de la Faya Los Llobos

Alto de la Horca

Alto de la Llama

Alto de la Mona

Alto de la Pileta

Alto de la Robellada

Alto de la Union

Alto de las Frias

Alto de Lazar

Alto de Letras

Alto de Los Villares

Alto de Moncalvillo

Alto de Moncelo

Alto de Nano

Alto de Pantanillo

Alto de San Cipriano

Alto de Tarrenyes

Alto de Ubal

Alto de Xarotos

Alto del Cedro

Alto del Chocho

Alto del Escobero

Alto del Monachil

Alto del Navazo

Alto del Tabor

Alto del Tasajo

Alto del Tenebredo

Alto del Torno

Alto do Lagarto

Alto El Angliru

Alto El Caracol

Alto El Cordal

Alto Estadero

Alto La Colladona

Alto La Farrapona

Alto Lestaio

Alto Maria Gomes

Alto Medina

Alto Pantanillo

Alto Santa Elena

Altu de Santu Mianu

Aratena from Riu Sa Piana

Ayacata Viewpoint

Badia a Coltibuono

Badia a Montemuro

Badia Coltibuono

Balcon d'Aunis

Barragem do Alvao

Basilica di Superga

Bealach na Ba

Belvedere Monte La Nave

Bemelerberg

Bocca di Marsolinu

Bocca di Vezzu

Bocca d'Ominanda

Borgata Pamparato

Borgata Silio

Brennerpass

Bruncu Spina

Cabeco da Calcedonia

Cagigas Plantadas

Cala Gonone

Caltabellotta

Cap de Formentor

Cap de Long

Carretera de la Cabra

Castel Viscardo

Castellar de n'Hug

Castellina in Chianti

Castello di Brolio

Castelnuovo

Castelnuovo Nigra

Casteltermini

Castillejos

Cava de Fanna

Cerdeirinhas

Četena Ravan

Chalet du Lac Besson

Champagny-en-Vanoise

Charmant Som

Chinaillon Le Grand-Bornand

Cima Sappada

Cirque de Troumouse

Col Bagargiak

Col d'Agnel

Col d'Agnes

Col d'Allos

Col d'Aspin

Col d'Aubisque

Col de Bacinu

Col de Bagargui

Col de Bavella

Col de Belle Granaje

Col de Braus

Col de Buis

Col de Celaccia

Col de Chateauneuf

Col de Chaud Clapier

Col de Cornille

Col de Elgol

Col de Fontbelle

Col de Fouchure

Col de Foureyssasse Sud

Col de Granon

Col de Grosse Pierre

Col de Joux Plane

Col de la Biche

Col de la Bonette

Col de la Cayolle

Col de la Chaine

Col de la Chaudiere

Col de la Clarté

Col de la Colmiane

Col de la Colombiere

Col de la Core

Col de la Couillole

Col de la Creueta

Col de la Croix Blanche

Col de la Croix de Fer

Col de la Croix des Moinats

Col de la Croix

Col de la Croix Fry

Col de la Croix Morand

Col de la Croix Rouge

Col de la Croix St Robert

Col de la Forclaz de Montmin

Col de la Forclaz de Quiege

Col de la Joux Verte

Col de la Ligne

Col de la Lombarde

Col de la Loze

Col de la Machine

Col de la Madeleine

Col de la Madone

Col de la Mort d'Imbert

Col de la Pertie

Col de la Pierre Saint Martin

Col de la Ramaz

Col de la Sausse

Col de la Schlucht

Col de la Sentinelle

Col de la Sinne

Col de la Vaccia

Col de la Vayède

Col de Latrape

Col de Lautaret

Col de Lauwy

Col de L'Avernaz

Col de L'Echelle

Col de L'Encrenaz

Col de L'Epine

Col de Leschaux

Col de Lingous

Col de L'Iseran

Col de Lizarieta

Col de Luitel

Col de Marie-Blanque

Col de Marmare

Col de Marocaz

Col de Mente

Col de Meyrol

Col de Montfuron

Col de Murs

Col de Notre Dame des Abeilles

Col de Palomieres

Col de Peguere

Col de Perty

Col de Peyresourde

Col de Plainpalais

Col de Plan-Bois

Col de Port de Tarascon

Col de Porte

Col de Portech

Col de Portet d'Aspet

Col de Portet

Col de Quatre Chemins

Col de Richemond

Col de Romme

Col de Sabot

Col de Sainte Anne

Col de Salvi

Col de Santa Lucia

Col de Sapois

Col de Saraille

Col de Sarenne

Col de Seize

Col de Sorba

Col de Soulor

Col de Spandelles

Col de St Ignace

Col de St Raphaël

Col de Tamie

Col de Tarter

Col de Tentes

Col de Terramont

Col de Turini

Col de Val Louron-Azet

Col de Valouse

Col de Vars

Col de Vence

Col de Verde

Col de Vergio

Col des Aravis

Col des Ares

Col des Borderes

Col des Champs

Col des Glieres

Col des Hares

Col des Hayes

Col des Pres

Col des Saisies

Col des Trois Termes

Col d'Ichere from

Col d'Ichere

Col d'Ispeguy

Col d'Izoard

Col du Ballon d'Alsace

Col du Calvaire

Col du Chat

Col du Chaussy

Col du Chioula

Col du Corbier

Col du Corobin

Col du Firstplan

Col du Frêne

Col du Galibier

Col du Glandon

Col du Grand Ballon

Col du Grand Colombier

Col du Grand Cucheron

Col du Grand Taillet

Col du Granier

Col du Granon

Col du Lautaret

Col du Maquisard

Col du Marais

Col du Marocaz

Col du Mollard

Col du Mont Bel-Air

Col du Petit Ballon

Col du Pillon

Col du Platzerwasel

Col du Portillon

Col du Rosier

Col du Tamie

Col du Telegraphe

Col du Tourmalet

Col du Trébuchet

Col La Roque-Alric

Col le Debat

Col St Anne

Coll d'Alforja

Coll de Bracons

Coll de Bucs

Coll de Burgueres

Coll de Canes

Coll de Caselles

Coll de Collfred

Coll de Comadevaques

Coll de Condreu

Coll de Fores

Coll de Josa

Coll de la Batallola

Coll de la Buixeda

Coll de la Creueta

Coll de la Gallina

Coll de la Garga

Coll de Pal

Coll De Puymorens

Coll de Porrera

Coll de Pradell

Coll de Prades

Coll de Rates

Coll de sa Batalla

Coll de Sa Gramola

Coll de Sentigosa

Coll de Serra Seca

Coll de Sobirana

Coll de Soller

Coll de Subirana

Coll dels Reis

Coll den Bleda

Coll des Grau

Coll des Pi / Es Grau

Coll d'Orient and Coll d'Honor

Coll Fornic

Coll Ordino

Collá de Arniciu

Collada de Beixalis

Collada de Moandi

Collada Mohandi

Collado de Carmona

Collado de Hoz

Collado de Igena

Collado de Ozalba

Collado de Zardon

Colle del Lys

Colle del Nivolet

Colle dell' Agnello

Colle della Fauniera

Colle della Maddalena

Colle della Scala

Colle delle Finestre

Colle di Lana

Colle di Sampeyre

Colle di Valmala

Colle Gallo

Colle San Carlo

Colle Santa Lucia

Colletto Basso di Isasca

Colli di San Fermo

Collsuspina

Colma di Sormano

Cormet de Roselend

Corso Principi Di Piemonte

Cortals d'Encamp

Cote au Roux

Côte d'Auribeau

Cote de Bellaire

Cote de Bohissau

Cote de Buisson

Cote de Cherave

Côte de Colombiès

Cote de la Haute-Levee

Cote de la Redoute

Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons

Cote de La Vernaz

Cote de Langueux

Cote de Laoul

Côte de Moyrazès

Côte de Peyrouse

Cote de Plérin

Cote de Razal

Cote de Saint-Nicolas

Cote de Stockeu

Cote d'Ereffe

Crieff Road

Cruce Bailadero

Cruce Pico del Inglés

Crucero San Jose

Cruz de Tejeda

Cruz del Carmen

Cruz San Antonio

De Buisson Rond

Degollada de La Aldea

Degollada de las Yeguas

Dervaig Hill

Dientner Sattel

Donji Humac

Drynie Hill

Duke's Pass

Dunning Glen

Edinbane Climb

El Chagualo

Encinas Borrachas

Era Artiga de Lin

Ermita del Cristo de Balaguer

Eyserbosweg

Falla Lobos

Faschinajoch

Filzen Sattel

Fontana Sa Mela from Sologo

Forcella Aurine

Forcella di Monte Rest

Forcella di Pala Barzana

Forcella di Priuso

Forcella Franche

Forest of Alyth

Fornos de Algodres

Fuentes de Cesna

Gairn Sheel

Gairo from Riu Sant Andrea

Garajonay Cruce

Geulhemmerweg

Glaubenbielenpass

Glen Quaich

Glen Salach

Glen Tarbert

Gorges de la Nesque

Gornji Humac

Gornji Majkovi

Grimpée de Venon

Grimpee d'Hery

Grimselpass

Grosse Scheidegg

Grossglockner-Edelweissspitze

Grossglockner

Gualan Dubh

Guia de Isora

Gurnigelpass

Hahntennjoch

Heiligenschwendi

Hinterwaldberg

Hochtannbergpass

Hourquette d'Ancizan

Iacu Piu from SP18

Justistalstrasse

Kanarieberg

Kranjski Rak

Kuna Peljeska

Kuthai Sattel

La Catedral

La Chambotte

La Cobertoria

La Ensillada

La Escalona

La Fatarella

La Fredonia

La Morera de Montsant

La Super Planche des Belles Filles

La Victoria

Lac d'Aumar

Lac de Bise

Lacets de Monvernier

Lago di Cancano

Lagos de Covadonga

Lake Misurina

Lanusei from Bari Sardo

Las Lagunillas

Le Grand Margès

Le Toit du Var

Lenzerheidepass

Les Alpilles Sud

Les Bossons

Les Deux Alpes

Llanos de la Pez

Llosa de Camacho

Loch Dhugaill

Loch na Draipe

Los Cierros

Los Machucos

Lugar De Pereira

Luz-Ardiden

Madonna del Coletto

Marquetalia

Masca Summit

Mata de Albergaria

Miradoiro do Ézaro

Mirador del Fitu

Mont Colombis

Mont de Lans

Mont du Chat

Mont Revard

Mont Saxonnex

Mont Semnoz

Mont Ventoux

Montagne de Lure

Montant de Tost

Monte Amiata

Monte Calderaro

Monte Crostis

Monte Del Agua

Monte Grappa

Monte Padrio

Monte Ragogna

Monte Rufeno

Monte S'Ospile

Monte Teide

Monte Tuttavista

Monte Zoncolan

Montée Boyat

Montee de Bisanne

Montee de Bourdeaux

Montee de Charlaval

Montee de la Selle de Fromentel

Montee de Lancon

Montée de Peille

Montee de Puget

Montee d'Ilhan

Montée du Pont St Nicolas

Montée St Laurent

Montée St Michel

Monti Cimini

Coll de Obac

Mount Teide

Mûr De Bretagne

Muro de Aia

Muro di Sormano

Notre Dames des Graces

Nufenenpass

Oberalppass

Odcep Pavlič

Orune from Ponte Marreri

Ostanfahrt pass

Oude Kwaremont

Oz-en-Oisans

Panex Plambuit

Panzano in Chianti

Partidas Guaico

Pas de la Figuière

Pas de Souloumbrie

Pasja Ravan

Pasja ravan

Passo Brocon

Passo Campolongo

Passo Cereda

Passo Cibiana

Passo Colla

Passo Costalunga

Passo Croce Boi from Nuraghe Gilorthi

Passo del Bratello

Passo del Cason di Lanza

Passo del Chiodo

Passo del Cirone

Passo del Giogo

Passo del Silara

Passo Del Tomarlo

Passo della Presolana

Passo della Raticosa

Passo delle Erbe

Passo di Correboi

Passo di Monte Croce Carnico

Passo di San Bernardino

Passo di Zambla

Passo di Zucca Trinita

Passo Duran

Passo Duron

Passo Falzarego

Passo Fedaia

Passo Gardena

Passo Gavia

Passo Genna Ramene from Santa Maria Navarrese

Passo Ghenna Silana from Urzulei

Passo Ghisallo

Passo Gobbera

Passo Incrociati

Passo Lavaze

Passo Manghen

Passo Mortirolo

Passo Pinei

Passo Pordoi

Passo Praderadego

Passo Presolana

Passo Raticosa

Passo Rolle

Passo San Antonio

Passo San Boldo

Passo San Marco

Passo San Pellegrino

Passo Santa Donna

Passo Sella

Passo Staulanza

Passo Stelvio

Passo Tre Croci

Passo Valles

Passo Valparola

Passo Valparolo

Passo Vivione

Passo Zambla

Pavlicevo Sedlo

Peña Cabarga

Peñas de Aya

Penhas Douradas

Petra Longa Salvini

Peyrusse-le-Roc

Pian del Lupo

Pian delle Merie

Piancavallo

Piano Battaglia

Piau-Engaly

Pico de las Nieves

Pico del Inglés

Pico Veleta

Picón Blanco

Pino do Val

Pinos de Galdar

Pizzu Silixi from Gairo

Poggio di Sugame

Poggio Rosa

Port de Balès

Port de Bérnia

Port de Cabus

Port de Confidres

Port de la Bonaigua

Port de la Mussara

Port de Lers

Port de Llo

Port de Pailheres

Port de Ransol

Port de Sa Creueta

Port de Tollos

Port de Tudons

Port del Cantó

Port d'Envalira

Port des Canonge

Portella Del Morto

Portillo de Lunada

Postalmstrasse

Pousada Caniçada-Gerês

Pré Richard

Presa del Paralillo

Puente Aures

Puerto Alto del Garajonay

Puerto de Alisas

Puerto de Azazeta

Puerto de Azpegi

Puerto de Boyar

Puerto de Canencia

Puerto de Connio

Puerto de Cotos

Puerto de Erjos

Puerto de Izpegi

Puerto de La Aldea

Puerto de la Braguia

Puerto de la Cruz de Linares

Puerto de la Magdalena

Puerto de la Morcuera

Puerto de la Rasa

Puerto de la Sia

Puerto de la Ventilla

Puerto de Larrau

Puerto de las Abejas

Puerto de Las Estacas de Trueba

Puerto De Las Palomas

Puerto de Lunada

Puerto de Navacerrada

Puerto de Navafria

Puerto de Orduña

Puerto de Otxondo

Puerto de Palombera

Puerto de Panderrueda

Puerto de Panderruedas

Puerto de Pandetrave

Puerto de Peña Negra

Puerto de Peñas Blancas

Puerto de Peñas Blancas & Los Reales

Puerto de Pozo de Mujeres Muertas

Puerto de San Glorio

Puerto de San Lorenzo

Puerto de Torvizcón

Puerto de Zaldiaran

Puerto del Boyar

Puerto del Mazuco

Puerto del Sol

Puerto del Viento

Puerto d'Otxondo

Puerto El Dormio

Puerto El Ponton

Puerto Encinas Borrachas

Puerto Herrera

Puerto Jimena de Libar

Puerto La Braguia

Puerto Los Alazores - Cara Alfarnate

Puerto Martinez

Puerto Montejaque

Puerto Vitoria

Pupnatska Luka

Ratagan Pass

Rocca di Papa

Rocca Priora

Rocca Romana

Romanyà de la Selva

Route de Saint Savin

Rovt Pod Menino

Sa Pedra Bianca from Piras

Sa Pedrissa

Sal Radicofani

Salita Gino Bartali

Salita Louison Bobet

Salita Marco Pantani

Salita Verduno

San Benedetto da Certalda

San Cristobal

San Francesco di Lula

San Gimignano

San Giorgio from Gairo

San Martin de Bada

San Martino di Castrozza

San Pantaleo from Mulino di Arzachena

Santa Barbara

Santa Elisabetta

Santa Isabel do Monte

Santa Isabel

Santa Mariña

Santa Pellaia

Santiago del Teide

Santuari Mare de Deu del Mon

Santuario de Acebo

Sao Cosmado

Saut deth Pish

Schallenberg

Scollino Badia Coltibuono

Seebergsattel

Sella Cereschiatis

Sella Chianzutan

Sella Ciampigotto

Sella Valcalda

Senhora da Graca

Serra de Alvelos

Serra Vermelha

Sheriffmuir

Soriska Klanec

Spomenik Borcu Nob

St Gervais Mont Blanc Le Bettex

St Gotthardpass

Steenbeekdries

Strevčeva Peč

Superbagneres

Talana from Riu Mortorinai

Taquisara from Riu San Girolamo

Tavertet - L'Avenc

The Goat's Path

The Lecht Road

The Schiehallion

Tierra del Trigo Mirador

Timmelsjoch

Top of the World

Topol Pri Medvodah

Torre de la Bastilla

Torrinheiras

Tossal dels Diners

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Truc d'Arbe

Tunel Cumbre

Turó del Home

Tuttavista from Galtelli

Umbrailpass

Val d'Enfer

Valico Arcuerì from Seui

Valico del Morellino

Valley of the Tears

Vallombrosa

Valter 2000

Via Dogliani

Vico d'Elsa

Vidova Gora

Villa Belvedere

Villars-sur-Ollon

Zillertaller Hohenstrasse

July 09 2024

2024 TDF K/QOM Challenge – Pyrenees

LIVE race-viewing of the key Pyrenees stages during Week 2 of the Tour de France. Witness the Tour LIVE on the iconic climb to Pla d’Adet and enjoy VIP access to the Stage Finish in Pau. Ride the Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde, Port de Bales – and of course the Tourmalet!

2024 TDF by E-BIKE – Pyrenees

LIVE race-viewing of the key Pyrenees stages during Week 2 of the Tour de France. Witness the Tour LIVE on the iconic climb to Pla d’Adet and enjoy VIP access to the Stage Finish in Pau. Ride the Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde – and of course the legendary Col du Tourmalet!

July 15 2024

2024 TDF K/QOM Challenge – Ventoux, Alps & NICE

A unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Finish of the Tour de France in NICE. Experience the Grand Finale LIVE in Nice, conquer Mont Ventoux, witness the penultimate stage LIVE on the last climb, and stay in luxury 5-star hotels throughout.

2024 TDF K/QOM Challenge – Ventoux, Alps & NICE (Riders ONLY)

A unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Finish of the Tour de France in NICE. Experience the Grand Finale LIVE in Nice, conquer Mont Ventoux, witness the penultimate stage LIVE on the last climb, and stay in a luxury 5-star hotel for the final 3 nights in Nice.

2024 TDF by E-BIKE – Provence, Alps & NICE

July 19 2024

2024 TDF K/QOM Challenge – NICE Weekend

A unique, 4-day trip to experience the Final Weekend of the Tour de France in NICE. Watch the penultimate stage LIVE on the Col de la Couillole, witness the Final Stage Time Trial and stay in a luxury 5-star hotel just 100m from the Finish Line!

2024 TDF by E-BIKE – NICE Weekend

August 10 2024

EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains

Conquer the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España in this incredible week of cycling in the Cordillera Cantabrica. Includes Lagos de Covadonga and the Angliru, the toughest climb in pro cycling.

August 11 2024

2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

LIVE race-viewing of 5 stages including the Opening Stages in Rotterdam and the Queen Stage Finish in ALPE D’HUEZ!

August 18 2024

Gravel Iceland Westfjords

Ready for a real adventure? Join us on this gravel trip to Iceland and feel the power of raw nature.

August 31 2024

EPIC Trans Swiss

It’s really hard to match Switzerland for it’s incredible scenery, unique charm and the sheer volume of iconic and challenging climbs. An absolute must for any avid cyclist who loves to climb.

EPIC Trans Dolomites

Discover the breathtaking landscapes and majestic mountain passes that have featured in so many epic Giro d’Italia stages. Includes the Stelvio, Mortirolo, Gavia, Zoncolan, Giau, Pordoi, Fedaia and many more!

Trans Dolomites

Discover the breathtaking landscapes and majestic mountain passes that have featured in so many epic Giro d’Italia stages. Includes the Stelvio, Mortirolo, Zoncolan, Giau, Sella, Gardena and many more!

September 02 2024

Vuelta a España

Welcome to the heart of Spain, where the Vuelta a España 2024 promises an unforgettable experience. Dive into the renowned world of Spanish cycling with breathtaking climbs, thrilling race action, and the allure of Asturias, Basque Country, and Rioja’s Northern regions. Cap it off with the Grand Finale in Madrid.

September 07 2024

EPIC Trans Pyrenees

Discover the natural beauty of one of Europe’s most celebrated cycling terrains. Cross the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, conquering legendary Tour de France climbs every day. Includes Tourmalet, Aubisque, Aspin, Peyresourde, Pierre St Martin, Jaizkibel and many more!

Trans Pyrenees

September 08 2024

EPIC Trans French Alps

Test yourself on the battleground of the world’s greatest race. Includes the newest paved climb in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, first introduced at the 2020 Tour de France and now rated the toughest climb in the French Alps.

Trans French Alps

You’ve seen the pros do battle on the most famous climbs of the Tour de France. This is your opportunity to conquer the very same climbs as you ride this magnificent route across the French Alps.

September 21 2024

EPIC Trans Provence-Alpes

Featuring the Col de la Bonette, the highest paved through road in the Alps, and Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, this is not a trip for the faint of heart. In addition to being one of our toughest challenges, it’s also one of the most spectacular with an incredible mix of high mountain passes, river gorges, high Alpine and Provençale terrain. A must-ride for the avid cyclist!

VIP Porto to Costa da Morte

Our latest VIP trip features a sensational ride from the mountains of Northern Portugal and Galicia to the spectacular Costa da Morte.

Please note: this trip is only open to repeat guests and their friends.

September 28 2024

Gravel BALI

From beaches to jungles, mountains, and active volcanoes, we take you away from the crowded tourist areas to the seemingly untouched Bali, and through villages where time appears to have stood still.

September 29 2024

Gravel Girona with BWR

While Girona is a mecca for road cyclists, the true allure lies beyond the popular paved routes frequented by many PRO cyclists. Experience the authentic beauty of this captivating region by going Beyond Tarmac. Discover hidden gems and embrace the charm of Girona and its surrounding Catalan countryside for a cycling adventure that goes off the beaten path.

October 06 2024

Trans Tuscany

The quintessential Italy, Tuscany is famous for hilltop towns, Chianti, cypress trees, great food and the ultimate in Italian style. But it’s also home to some of the most spectacular cycling in Europe.

Gravel Tuscany with BWR

Famous for it’s hilltop towns, Chianti wine, cypress trees, great food and Italian style, Tuscany is also home to the strade bianche and some of the best gravel and Beyond Tarmac rides in Europe.

October 12 2024

Trans Andalusia

The quintessential Spain, Andalusia is famous for flamenco, fiestas, bulls and “pueblos blancos”. But it’s also home to some of the most stunning and challenging rides in Europe.

EPIC Trans Andalusia

October 20 2024

EPIC Trans Portugal

Take the high road across this quiet country’s wondrously diverse terrain. Enjoy the magnificent scenery, historic villages and traffic-free roads – and of course it wouldn’t be Thomson terrain without a few big climbs.

Gravel Portugal with BWR

A spectacular ride  on the cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean and through the Monchique mountains,  the Algarve, in the south of Portugal, has some of the best Beyond Tarmac riding in Europe.

November 02 2024

Gran Canaria Cycling Camp

Gran Canaria has it all: big mountains, endless sunshine, perfect temperatures and wonderful 4-star hotels to rest and recharge at the end of the day. Little wonder that so many pro riders spend the early winter months training here.

Canary Islands 2-week Cycling Camp

Not sure whether to choose the Gran Canaria Camp or the Tenerife & La Gomera Camp? Then why not do both.

November 09 2024

Gravel Morocco

Embark on an exotic adventure with a guaranteed epic journey across the mountains and desert plains of Morocco.

November 10 2024

Tenerife & La Gomera Cycling Camp

Tenerife has become the preferred training destination of pro riders and this is your opportunity to discover just what is so special about this island.

November 30 2024

Colombia Cycling Camp

Colombia is fast becoming the Mecca of road cycling and the mountain range above Medellin in Colombia’s Antioquia region is the favourite training spot for pro riders.

Spring Classics

2025 dates and pricing will be announced shortly.

2025 Tour de France

Join us at the 2025 Tour de France.

No matches found.

Be the first to hear news, offers and promotions.

Sign up for emails to get special news and offers from Thomson Bike Tours

By signing up here I agree to receive Thomson’s email newsletter and promotional offers.

Sign up for offers, promotions and news

Thank you for signing up

Welcome to Thomson Bike Tours

Thank you for creating an account. You can now view itinerary on Trip pages, book trips with us and log in to your account to manage your preferences and bookings.

ULTIMATE TOUR DE FRANCE

• Tour Inclusions

Sold Out: 6 Day Grand Depart Tour – Contact us to go on the waitlist.

Limited places available – secure your place..

Experience the thrills and excitement of the 2025 Tour de France.

Race Dates: Saturday 5th July – Sunday 27th July, 2025

Race start: Lille France Race Finish: Champs Elysee, Paris France

Tour Options available for our 2025 Tour de France Tours include:

6 Day Grand Depart Tour: Lille Region France Ride and experience TDF Stages 1-4. Dates: Thurs 3rd – Tues 8th July, 2025 Sold Out: 6 Day Grand Depart Tour – Contact us to go on the waitlist. Wait List

Ultimate Tour de France Tours Start Locations: TBC Tour Finish Location: Paris, France:

7 Day Ultimate Tour de France – Final Week of TDF Dates: Tues 22nd – Mon 28th, July 2025 Finish; Paris

10 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour Dates: Sat 19th – Mon 28th, July 2025 Finish; Paris

13 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour Dates: Wed 16th – Mon 28th, July 2025 Finish; Paris

We’ll experience fantastic rides on iconic roads, intercept the race at strategic locations combined with an authentic French immersion experience, including local gastronomic delights.

Feel the excitement of being at the finish of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysee in Paris.

*NB. We’ll email and update guests on our Advanced Booking list as soon as we have additional official information from the race organisation

Meet Your Hosts

Our Team are some of the world’s most experienced and credentialed hosts, guides, coaches and all-around good people, they’ll guide you safely through your trip, and you’ll enjoy every minute with them on and off the bike.

July each year signals Tour de France time and announce it’s summer. It’s a beautiful time to visit and ride in France. We’ll show you the smaller roads, charming villages and stay in chic French hotels.

It’s with out a doubt the best time to visit France, the villages, the big cities all come to life to the sights, sounds and festivities of the Tour de France.

There’s something beautiful about riding a bike in France in the sun drenched summer, the terrain is almost purpose-built for cyclists who love panoramic climbs, sweeping views and coastal roads, it’s stunning.

Southern France was our base for over ten cycling seasons, we know France like the back of our hand, we’ve spent much of that time hosting speciality cycling tours. We’ve hosted groups to all of France’s beautiful regions, ridden all the best roads, mountains and we’ll show you the best of France on our action-packed Ultimate Tour de France tours.

We love everything about France, the people, it’s arts and culture, it’s beautiful food, wine, history, outdoors, the mountains and it’s love for the biggest sporting event in the world.

We’re looking forward to showing you the Ultimate Tour de France experience including our loop rides of Alpe D’huez, Mont Ventoux, Paris and many more beautiful places in France, plus of course the excitement of the 2025 Tour de France race.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you in France. Ciao Pat, Grace, and the Ride International Tours Team.

Ultimate Tour de France photos

Advanced Bookings are open!

Reserve your spot now on our 2025 Tour de France Tours. See Tour Options below. – Book now!  or contact us for more details.

6 Day Grand Depart – Lille, France Tour Dates: Thurs 3rd – Tues 8th July, 2025

7 Day Tour Dates: Tues 22nd – Mon 28th, July 2025

10 Day Tour Dates: Sat 19th – Mon 28th, July 2025

13 Day Tour Dates: Wed 16th – Mon 28th, July 2025

Tour de France Race Dates: Saturday 5th – Sunday 27th July, 2025

Daily Rides: Our specialist Tour de France programs include our classic loop rides of the Tour de France including: The Alps, Alpe D’huez, Mont Ventoux, Pyrenees and many more beautiful rides, plus we’ll intersect the race at various strategic points. We have daily ride distances and degrees of difficulty to suit riders of all abilities, each day we offer a minimum of three ride options: “Short, Medium, Long” no matter how little or how far you like to cycle, we’ve got you covered. Need optional extra km’s to ride each day – we’ve got you covered for that too.

Non-Cycling Program: Each day the non-cyclists have an individual program, we can include plenty of activity or make suggestions on a daily basis, you’ll visit the race, explore France, experience a gastronomic Tour of France, plus you’ll intersect with the cycling group. The non-cycling program has some flexibility to build in areas of personal passions and interests, let us know what you’re passionate about and we’ll infuse it into your program.

Tour de France: Multiple stage viewing points, plus the grand finale for our Ultimate Tour de France Tours – The finish location has been confirmed as Champs Elysee, Paris

2025 Tour de France Tours [Indicative Pricing Based on 2024 TDF Tours] Cyclists and Non-Cyclists:

Below we list our “Indicative Tour Pricing”. We list these prices to give you a good indication of your tour cost, we base our indicative pricing from our previous tour editions. We appreciate these are not fixed prices, our tours are new each year to accomodate for each Tour de France route.

We finalise our program and pricing when the race organisation supplies us with all of the official information. We keep everyone who has made an Advanced Booking Deposit with us updated as information comes in. We highly recommend securing your position on the tour of your choice as early as possible. We have limited places available on our Tour de France tours, previous editions of our tours have sold out in the pre-booking stages. You can secure your position by placing an Advanced Booking Deposits with us

6 Day Grand Depart Lille, France Tour from AUD$4975 – AUD$5250 pp twin share (Approx. USD$3150 – USD$3350) 6 Day Grand Depart Lille, France. Single Room Supplement From: AUD$750- AUD$825 (Approx. USD$480 – USD$525)

7 Day Tour from AUD$6100 – AUD$6450 pp twin share (Approx. USD$4280 – USD$4420) 7 Day Single Supp From: AUD$800 -$925 (Approx. USD$550-USD$670)

10 Day Tour from AUD$7450 – AUD$7950 pp twin share (Approx. USD$4950 – USD$5075) 10 Day Single Supp From: AUD$975 -$1150 (Approx. USD$679-USD$770)

13 Day Tour from AUD$8990 – AUD$9450 pp twin share (Approx. USD$5970 – USD$6250) 13 Day Single Supp From: AUD$1250 -$1450 (Approx. USD$850-USD$970)

ROOMS / SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

* Our twin share prices are per person based on two people ie couples, partners, family, friends sharing one room. If you are travelling alone, you have the option to have a room to yourself, or will be allocated a room to yourself by paying the additional single room supplement.

Book now!  or  contact us for more details.

2025 Tour de France Start Location: Lille, France. At this early stage, there have been four stages confirmed for the northern France Grand Depart.

Our Ultimate Tour de France, Final 13 Day, 10 Day and 7 Day Tours Start Locations: TBC. As Soon As We Have More Detailed – Official Information On the Race Route From The Race Organisation, We’ll Update Everyone on our Advance Booking List. 

We’re currently finalising details for our 2025 Ultimate – Tour de France itinerary as information comes in from the race organisation.

In the meantime we can email you a previous Tour de France itinerary as a guide, it’ll give you a lovely indication of how your Tour de France experience, on and off-bike will look and feel. Contact us now

$ 750.00 AUD

Take the hassle out of travelling with your bike.

Hire a bike or e-Bike for our 10 Day – Ultimate Tour de France Tour

Tour de France 10 Day Bike Hire $65 AUD/Day

Itinerary in brief:.

2024 Tour De France, Nice | The Côte d’Azur – French and Italian Riviera.

7 Days | 6 Nights Stay: The Côte d’Azur Start / Finish Location: Nice International Airport Start Date: July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation] Finish Date: July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]

Day 1 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. Arrival Day: Airport Pick Up: 10am (or 11am meet at our Team hotel) Details: Transfer to Hotel, Build Bikes. Ride: 2.30pm, 35km easy coastal ride 7.30pm: Welcome dinner.

Day 2 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. The Italian Job. Ride: 50 -100km. Ride from our hotel on a coastal loop over the Italian border. Take in the historic final section of Milan San Remo race including the Cipressa and Poggio climbs to San Remo.

Day 3 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. Tour de France Start. Ride: 35km -100km. From our Team Hotel to Nice, to experience the incredible atmosphere of a Tour de France start. We’ll ride in hills and beautiful villages of the Pre-Alpes d’Azur, then take in all the excitement of the race finish.

Day 4 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. Tour de France – The Hills Ride: 40 -110km. From our Team Hotel into the hills of the Pre-Alpes d’Azur via the Col de Madone to a key point of today’s stage to watch the race. Return via the race course to Nice in time to see stage 2 finish.

Day 5 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. Chase le Tour Ride: 40 -100km. Another day of Le Tour de France? As we receive more race route details, we’ll build in a great ride to take in sections of the route if the opportunity presents itself. Let’s see what the race organisers come up with for the third stage of this years tour route.

Day 6 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. St Tropez Ride: 45km- 120km. From our Team Hotel we ride along the famous roads of the French Côte d’Azur through Cannes and onto St Tropez. Enjoy a relaxing late lunch in the harbour of St Tropez, take a swim and explore this wonderful village. Afternoon return transfer to our hotel by vehicle. Re-pack bikes. 7.30pm: Farewell dinner.

Day 7 July 2025 [Dates TBC – To Be Confirmed as soon as we official confirmation from the race organisation]. Au revoir – Departure Day 9.30am: After breakfast, Depart Hotel – Airport Drop Off to Nice International Airport. À bientôt

2019 TOUR DE FRANCE  – Full Itinerary

• DAY 1 – TUES 16 JULY
• DAY 2 – WED 17 JULY
• DAY 3 – THURS 18 JULY
• DAY 4 – FRI 19 JULY
• DAY 5 – SAT 20 JULY
• DAY 6 – SUN 21 JULY
• DAY 7 – MON 22 JULY
• DAY 8 – TUES 23 JULY
• DAY 9 – WED 24 JULY
• DAY 10 – THURS 25 JULY
• DAY 11 – FRI 26 JULY
• DAY 12 – SAT 27 JULY
• DAY 13 – SUN 28 JULY
• DAY 14 – SUN 29 JULY

DAY 1 – TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019

Arrival day – toulouse blagnac airport. la ville rose and sunflowers loop ride, welcome to france.

Airport pick up:  10am Toulouse Blagnac Airport Arrival day ride departs:  1pm Distance:  50km. Climbing:  250m TdF Race:  Rest Day Albi Welcome dinner: 7.30pm Accommodation: Toulouse City Centre – 1 of 2 nights

About our day:

Welcome to Ride International’s Tour de France trip! We start our trip in la Ville Rose (the “Pink City”), Toulouse, named because of the extensive use of pinkish terracotta bricks in the local architecture. Toulouse is well-known for many things, but for cyclists, it is probably best-known for being just a short drive from some of the best cycling in the French Pyrenees.

You have the option of meeting us at our team hotel, or meeting us at the airport before we take a short transfer to our hotel.

We’ll contain our excitement on day one, which a short ride to get to know each other and make sure the bikes and bodies are all in order for the week ahead.

Non-cycling options:

Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations in Toulouse, it’s a beautiful city rich in culture, history, markets, a good artisan coffee roaster – coffee shop and fantastic shopping.

Our Ride: La Ville Rose and sunflowers loop

Ride – starts 1pm

After we’ve settled in we’ll head out for an afternoon loop ride. We will head out of Toulouse onto some country roads through rural areas for some sunflower spotting en route. We’ll return via a touristic route past the Canal du Midi and through the small streets of Toulouse’s old town back to our hotel. Today’s ride is a relaxed one to ensure you and your bike are working well.

 TdF Race: TDF Rest Day Albi 

 après bike:.

7.30pm: Meet in the hotel lobby for a short stroll to our restaurant for our welcome dinner and drinks.

 Accommodation:

Toulouse City Centre – 1 of 2 nights

DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2019

Tour de tarn ride plus tour de france race start albi. ride back to toulouse – intersect the race at a key point en rout e.

Breakfast:  7am Depart hotel: 7:45am  Ride start:  9:30am Distance:  40km, 85km, 120km  Climbing:  200m – 750m TdF Race: Albi / Toulouse 167km Accommodation: Toulouse City Centre – 2 of 2 nights

We jump straight into the action on day two and see the Tour de France twice as it snakes its way from Albi to Toulouse – first at the stage depart  and then as it nears the finish.

Seeing Le Tour stage  depart and watching it pass through smaller French towns is a very different experience, and provides an interesting contrast, to the high-intensity mountain racing that we’ll see later in our tour. We’ll have the luxury of seeing the riders relax before what is expected to be a low-stress stage, and then we’ll get to see an otherwise quiet French town come alive as the race flies through it in the closing stages of the race, rubbing shoulders with locals.

We’ll increase our ride distance today but the route will be relatively flat to allow you to find your legs for the climbing to come in the coming days.

Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.

Ride – starts 9:30am

We’ll take a transfer from our Toulouse hotel to our ride start point on the lovely Tarn River. From there we will follow the river approximately 40km to the Tour de France race start in Albi. After taking in the race start we’ll mount our bikes again and take a more direct ride route to Toulouse. We’ll intersect the Tour de France race route as it nears the finish, as it passes through one of the smaller French villages where we can relax, watch the race finish on TV and return to our hotel on our bikes via sections of the race route to Toulouse.

 TdF Race: Albi / Toulouse 167km 

Free Program, let us know your preferred dining style, food types and we’ll point you in the right direction, Toulouse has a vast array of eateries, bars and restaurants.

Toulouse City Centre – 2 of 2 nights

DAY 3 – THURSDAY 18 JULY 2019

Ride the final 80km of todays tour de france high mountain stage.

Breakfast:  7am Depart hotel: 7:45am  Ride start:  10:30am Distance:  60km, 85km, 105km  Climbing:  2000m TdF Race: Toulouse / Bagnères-de-Bigorre 202km Accommodation: Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 1 of 3 nights

Today we hit the cols! We’ll take a morning transfer to the French Pyrenees, where you will get your first taste of some serious hills on this year’s tour.

We’ll ride the final part of the Tour de France stage before the riders and will see the race at or near the finish. While coming mid-way through the Tour de France, this is the first Pyrenean stage of this year’s Tour de France and it is sure to be exciting to watch as the riders test each others’ fatigue levels as they head into the second part of the race.

We’ll also need to keep our fatigue levels in mind as we head into a series of decent climbing days, with this one just being something of an entrée.

Ride – starts 10:30am 

After our transfer from Toulouse, we’ll ride the final 80km of today’s Tour de France medium mountain stage. This will take us over the Col du Peyresourde (where Chris Froome launched his memorable ‘descent attack’ on stage 8 of the 2016 Tour to win the stage) and then the Hourquette d’Ancizan before we ride to the race finish area in Bagneres de Bigorre.

After the Tour de France race finish you can choose to ride the ‘mostly downhill’ route back to our chic Spa and Bike hotel in Lourdes in the Pyrenees, or you can save the legs and take a short transfer back.

 TdF Race: Toulouse / Bagnères-de-Bigorre 202km 

7.45pm:   Meet in the hotel lobby for dinner at our hotel.

Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 1 of 3 nights

DAY 4 – FRIDAY 19 JULY 2019

Col du solour – col d’aubisque high mountain loop.

Breakfast:  7am Ride departs hotel:  8am Distance:  30km, 45km, 90km (optional riding extras: Hautacam ski station +30km / 1200m)  Climbing: 1200m – 2400m TdF Race: Pau / Pau Time Trial 27km Accommodation: Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 2 of 3 nights

While Lourdes is famous the world over for its holy water and associated religious pilgrimages, we like it because it is at the gateway to one of the most magical cycling valleys in the French Pyrenees. Today we’ll dive right in, departing from our hotel for an incredible day in the mountains.

We’ll take in two legendary cols, the Col du Solour and the Col d’Aubisque for a relatively short loop but one that is big on elevation and spectacular scenery.This is high mountain cycling at its very best, wild horses, sheep and goats are free to roam the pastures up here. For those wanting a few more kilometres, there is an optional extra ride up the Hautacam.

Ride – starts 8am

Today we’ll ride from the door of our hotel and ascend two of the most famous cols in the Pyrenees – the Col du Solour, then traverse across to the Col d’Aubisque. We’ll pause for snack, coffee or maybe even lunch at one of the chalets prior to heading back across to the Col du Soluor. We then loop back to Lourdes after a big day out in the Pyrenees. We’ll be back in time to watch the finish of the Tour de France time trial live on TV.

Riding Extras: If you’re still feeling great after the Col d’Aubisque and Solour and need extras on the day – we’ll point you in the direction of the famously tough Hautacam climb. This climb can be found just off our route back to Lourdes. While it will only add approximately 30km (and 1200m altitude) to your day, the gradients of the Hautacam are tough and this little side-trip will likely take well over two hours to complete!

 TdF Race: Pau / Pau Time Trial 27km 

Free program:  Let us know your preferred dining style, food types and we’ll point you in the right direction, Lourdes has a vast array of eateries, bars (even a great Belgian bar), restaurants and the best gelato outside of Italy.

Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 2 of 3 nights

DAY 5 – SATURDAY 20 JULY 2019

Col du tourmalet loop, see the race on the lower slopes.

Breakfast:  7am Depart hotel: 8am  Ride start:  9am Distance:  55km, 65km, 80km, 105km Climbing: 750m – 2300m TdF Race: Tarbes / Tourmalet 117km Accommodation: Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 3 of 3 nights

Today we ride the Col du Tourmalet! One of the most famous climbs in the French Pyrenees, the Tourmalet is a big and beautiful climb – one that every serious cyclist should tick off in their lifetime. We’ll tackle it from the eastern side, hit the summit and descend down the other side to watch the Tour de France tear onto the lower slopes as it tackles the Tourmalet in the opposite direction.

Ride starts 9am 

Depending on how your legs are feeling, you can choose where to start your day along our route: Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Campan, Sainte Marie De Campan or La Mongie. Regardless of the start point, our route will take in the Col du Tourmalet loop in a clockwise direction and we’ll tackle the great Tourmalet from the eastern side.

Having summited the highest paved road in the Pyrenees, we’ll then take the winding descent to the picturesque valley town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur. There we’ll watch the race live on TV as it approaches, before stepping out to the roadside to see it charge onto the lower slopes of the Col du Tourmalet. Then, we’ll ride the mostly-downhill route back to Lourdes to complete our loop, finishing on a quiet and gentle local bike path that will feel a million miles away from the hallowed slopes of the Tourmalet.

 TdF Race: Tarbes / Tourmalet 117km 

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: Anything dark from the Belgian beer bar near the bridge over the river in town.

Free program : Let us know your preferred dining style, food types and we’ll point you in the right direction again. Lourdes is great for bars and restaurants. (Have you tried the gelato yet?)

Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 3 of 3 nights

DAY 6 – SUNDAY 21 JULY 2019

Medieval citadel – gorge ride and dinner at our chateau.

Breakfast:  7am Depart hotel: 8am  Ride start:  3:30pm Distance:  30km, 60km Climbing: 600m – 950m TdF Race: Limoux / Foix 185km Accommodation: Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 1 of 2 Nights

We are transferring from the Pyrenees to the Alps today, and will break the transfer up with a stop-in at the medieval citadel of Carcassonne. There we’ll stretch the legs and explore this historic village. We’ll then complete our transfer across to the base of the Giant of Provence – Mont Ventoux – in Mazan. After we’ve settled in to our chateau, we’ll head out for an afternoon ride to ease ourselves into the Alps.

Ride – starts 3:30pm

With a few days of solid climbing under our belt, and with plenty more to come, we’ll give the bodies and legs a well-earned rest and take in a leisurely ride along the beautiful and breathtaking roads of the Gorge de la Nesque, near our hotel in Mazan. What this ride lacks in distance and elevation, it more than makes up for in spectacular scenery.

 TdF Race: Limoux / Foix 185km 

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink:  Ice cold Cote du Rhone Rose.

7:30pm: Three course dinner including regional Ventoux and Cote du Rhone wine at our chateau.

Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 1 of 2 Nights

DAY 7 – SUNDAY 22 JULY 2019

Mont ventoux – celebration dinner and drinks at our chateau.

Breakfast:  7am Depart hotel: 7: 45am  Ride start:  8:30am Distance:  30km, 45km, 60km (Optional riding extras: Fancy a double ascent of Mont Ventoux?  Add 42km and 1550m)  Climbing: 2100m TdF Race: Rest Day Accommodation: Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 2 of 2 nights

While the Tour de France has a rest day scheduled, there will be little rest for us as we will be tackling the most famous climb in cycling – Mont Ventoux!

After a short morning transfer to the town of Bédoin, we will have a number of options available for you to reach the summit of the Giant of Provence. We’ll have all day, so we can take our time and really soak up this magical mountain.

Ride starts 8:30am

It’s not called the ‘Giant of Provence’ for nothing, and we’ll have a number of ride options available so that everyone can tackle a route they are comfortable with and make it to the summit.

You can choose to climb the full 22km, or tackle shorter options of 18km, 10km or 6km (from Chalet Reynard) to the the top. Each of these options will pass by the Tom Simpson memorial en route to the top.

From the top of Mount Ventoux, it’s a lovely run down to Malaucene where a coffee, snack or lunch will revitalise you. If you are keen for more, you’ll have the option of tackling Mont Ventoux for a second time, from Malaucene. Alternatively, if one summit of the most famous climb in cycling is enough for you, you can leave Malaucene bound for Bédoin to finish our loop. From here you have the choice to cycle back to our chateau or travel in the vehicle.

 TdF Race: Rest Day 

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: After a fantastic day on the Giant of Provence, it’s a tough choice between a cold local craft beer or a G&T, either one will have you rehydrated quickly and ready to go again tomorrow.

7:30pm : We’ll have dinner, including local wines, at our chateau.

Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 2 of 2 Nights

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Tour exclusions.

Pat and Grace worked tirelessly to make sure everyone’s needs and expectations were met

A big thanks to you for making my trip, as a non-rider, very memorable

Grace and Pat go above and beyond to make sure you have a good time

Nothing was too much trouble, their demeanour was always cheery

Knowledgeable, multilingual, always helpful, a great team

Grace is the most organised of guides, no request is too unusual or difficult

You took care of my wife wonderfully… I am grateful and appreciative

Thanks very much for a highly enjoyable and excellently run tour

Grace and Pat are remarkable. Thank you so much!

Grace… you are warm, inclusive and infectious in your enthusiasm

Pat and his team did an absolutely brilliant job

Big thanks to Grace & Patrick… we had a Brilliant time

The trip ran like clock work… all we had to worry about was enjoying ourselves

Grace… you are still as efficient and organised as always

Pat’s leadership gave everyone what they needed

Advance Bookings:

We open up our Advance Reservations for trips early so you can book and plan well ahead. We guarantee your position by booking prior. If you’d like to organise and book your trip further out than the dates/years we have listed on our website, please contact us via email, phone, & or video call and we’ll arrange everything so you can place an advanced booking.

An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.

Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.

If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.

To cancel an advance booking submitted in writing/ via email within 10 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 10-day period.

Travel Insurance:

As a Ride International Tour participant, it is compulsory to have your own travel insurance. We recommend activating your travel insurance as soon as you’ve placed your booking deposit to ensure you are covered from the outset. Please ensure that your policy includes coverage for:

• Cancellation charges
• Medical expenses in the event of an accident or illness.
• Cycling activities and associated risks
• Cycling equipment

We encourage each participant on our tours to contact your travel agent, and or travel insurance provider directly. Your travel insurance experts are best equipped to provide clarification, recommendations for best providers and or further information on the cover that suits your specific needs.

Final Payments:

The balance of your trip payment is due no later than 150 days prior to your trip departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.

What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip: We understand you may not be able to go on your trip, cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to transfer to another trip that has places available. If you have a question give us a call or email.

Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.

AFTER BOOKING, IF YOU CANCEL:

Years of Experience

Tours Completed

Trip Guests

Cycled on Tour

Hotels Visited

OUR GUEST REVIEWS

- Daren A . QLD, Australia

- Stephen P . QLD, Australia

- J. & I. Aplin . Napier, New Zealand

- A. Saunders . Victoria, Australia

- Tommy. E . USA

Follow Us On Instagram

join the FeedStation newsletter

We won’t over feed your email inbox. But we will keep it hydrated.

Newsletter Subscription

We are a passionate family business that prides itself on hosting exceptional cycling vacations since 2007.

Whether it’s your first time cycling abroad, or you’re an experienced rouleur, our team takes care of all the details on and off the bike to create wonderful travel experiences.

• FeedStation
• Term & Conditions
• Tour Down Under
• Giro d’Italia
• Tour de France
• Tour of Spain
• Spring Classics
• French Pyrenees Tour

P: 1300 140 311

E: [email protected]

Contact Us with your needs to customise your Tour de France.

Self Guided – 2024 Tour Down Under

Submit the form below and a member of the Ride International Tours team will contact you to discuss.

Register Your Interest

Coaching Options

Road Cycling Skills – Technique Coaching Mountain Biking Skills – Technique Coaching Cyclocross Skills – Technique Coaching Kids Introduction Learn to Ride School Skills Coaching Adults Introduction Learn to Ride School Fitness and Performance Coaching

[contact-form-7 id="18233" title="Official Giro d Italia Sparkling Wine"] -->

• Tour de France

Tour de France coverage from Cycling Weekly, with up to date race results, rider profiles and news and reports.

The Tour de France 2024 began on Saturday 29 June and marks the 111th edition of cycling's flagship race. In the first Grand Départ for Italy, the race started in Florence and traced a path east across the country, before heading back west towards France and into the Alps. 

The riders will also take on the Apennines, Massif Central and Pyrenees mountain ranges, and pass through Italy, San Marino, Monaco and France.

With Paris busy preparing for the Olympic Games in August there will be no room for the Tour de France's traditional final stage finish on the Champs-Elysées. Instead the race will finish in Nice – the first time it has ever finished outside the capital.

The world's best riders are locked into a battle for victory, with newly crowned Giro d'Italia winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) taking on Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) – both of whom are currently returning from injury – and Primož Roglič (Red-Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).

The three-week event is the second in the trio of Grand Tours, coming after the Giro d'Italia and before the Vuelta a España .

Check out our page on the  Tour de France 2024 route  for everything you need to know about the 21 stages from Florence to Nice, and look at  complete start list for the race .

This will be the first Tour since  GCN+ closed down , so make sure you read our how to watch the Tour de France guide carefully to make sure you can be fully tuned in. 

Tour de France 2024: Overview

Tour de france 2024 reports.

• Romain Bardet snatches first stage of the Tour de France as Mark Cavendish struggles
• Kevin Vauquelin secures first ever Tour de France stage victory for Arkea-B&B Hotels, while Tadej Pogačar claims the yellow jersey on stage 2
• Biniam Girmay becomes first black African to take a Tour de France win in stage 3 sprint
• Tadej Pogačar wins stage 4 duel with Jonas Vingegaard to reclaim yellow at the Tour de France

Tour de France 2024: The route

One for the climbers, the 2024 Tour de France route incorporates four summit finishes, spans four mountain ranges, and features the hilliest opening stage in Tour de France history.

One of the most interesting and intriguing routes of recent years, sitting between the predominantly hilly week one and week three sits a flatter week two, and stage nine – with an abundance of white roads; 14 sectors in total.

There's plenty for the sprinters as well as the general classification and climbing specialists, although there are going to be some tough mountains to get over to reach the sprint stages, and to finish the three weeks.

For the first time in 35 years, a final stage means the yellow jersey won't be decided on the penultimate day, but with a time trial in Nice.

• Tour de France 2024 route: Two individual time trials, five summit finishes and gravel sectors
• Opinion: Is the 2024 Tour de France too hard?
• FAQs of the Tour de France: How lean? How much power? How do they pee mid-stage? All that and more explained

Tour de France 2024 route: Stage-by-stage

Tour de france 2024: the teams.

The Tour de France peloton consists of 22 teams of eight riders. This includes all 18 UCI WorldTour teams, as well as the two best-ranked UCI ProTeams, and two further squads invited by the organiser, ASO. 

The teams racing the 2024 Tour de France are:

• Alpecin-Deceuninck
• Arkéa-B&B Hotels
• Astana-Qazaqstan
• Bahrain-Victorious
• Bora-Hansgrohe
• Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
• dsm-firmenich PostNL
• EF Education-EasyPost
• Groupama-FDJ
• Ineos Grenadiers
• Jayco-AlUla
• Intermarché-Wanty
• Israel-Premier Tech
• Lotto Dstny
• Soudal Quick-Step
• TotalEnergies
• UAE Team Emirates
• Uno-X Mobility
• Visma-Lease a Bike

Tour de France 2024: General classification riders

When it comes to potential yellow jersey winners, there are four riders to watch out for.

The quartet comprises Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who has just won the Giro d'Italia; Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike), and Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) . 

Reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard is the only rider over whom hangs a significant question mark for the race. Along with Roglič and Evenepoel, he came down in a nasty crash on stage four of the Itzulia Basque Country in April. All were injured but the Dane came off worst, and he only began riding outside in May. All three made it to the start line, but how their form will progress over the Tour remains to be seen. 

Following the route announcement in October, Tadej Pogačar said that the "end of the journey makes me smile", with the final two stages starting and finishing close to his home in Monaco. Pogačar is hoping to take back the top step in 2024 after two years of missing out on yellow to Vingegaard. The Slovenian won the Giro earlier this year.

Remco Evenepoel will make his Tour de France debut in 2024. Although he took a win in 2022 at the Vuelta, his performance in other Grand Tour races has been either inconsistent or blighted by illness. If he's to compete against the likes of Vingegaard and Pogačar, he'll have to up his game. After coming 5th overall and taking a stage win in his Tour debut in 2023 , Carlos Rodríguez will lead Ineos Grenadiers .

Tour de France 2024: Sprinters

It's going to be a tough year for the sprinters. Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck was one of the star men of last year's Tour de France, taking four stage wins and the green sprinter's jersey at the end of the three weeks. He has had a fine season so far, with a win at Milan-San Remo and second at Paris-Roubaix and is likely to be the rider to beat at the Tour.

Like Philipsen, Mads Pederson of Trek-Segafredo has enjoyed a successful early season, with a win at Gent-Wevelgem and (unlike Philipsen) a hatful of sprint victories. He's likely to be the Belgian's main rival in the bunch finishes.

All eyes will be on Mark Cavendish in the 111th Tour de France after he postponed retirement to target the Tour win record, currently shared with Eddy Merckx, and gain his 35th win. He said, however, that he was "in shock" and that this was the "toughest course" he had ever seen , when it was revealed in October. 

Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-AlUla) and Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich-PostNL) are also challenging for wins.

Tour de France 2024: On TV

As you'd expect the Tour de France is being broadcast in several different places throughout July. 

The race is being live-streamed on Discovery+ and Eurosport , as well as ITV4, in the UK and in Europe. Subscription costs are £6.99/month or $8.99/month, and £39.99 or $49.99 for a year.

A Flobikes  annual subscription will cost you $209.99 if you want to watch in Canada, while in the USA  NBC Sports  via Peacock Premium ($4.99 per month) will show the race. Australians can can watch the Tour for free on SBS on Demand.

And, of course, if you want to watch your local stream from anywhere in the world you'll need a VPN from a trusted company like ExpressVPN .

Tour de France: The jerseys

Much like every year in recent memory, the Tour de France jerseys and classifications are yellow for the overall leader, green for the leader in the points standings, polka-dot for the mountain classification, and white for the best young rider.

Along with the jersey prizes, there is an award for the most combative rider of each stage, with the winner wearing a red number on the following day. This is awarded each day, with a 'Super Combativity' award decided by a jury at the end of the race for the most active rider throughout the entire event.

There is also a team classification where the time of the first three riders from each team is put together to create a single time. This is then done in a similar way as the individual general classification.

In addition, there are plenty of bonus seconds up for grabs at the race. There are ten, six and four bonus seconds available at the end of each stage for the first three riders, as well as bonus sprints that are dotted throughout the race on key climbs to try and make the racing more entertaining for spectators.

Of course, there's also prize money up for grabs. For winning the 2023 edition of the race, Jonas Vingegaard collected €535,220 (£463,100), a sum which is customarily shared out among the team's riders and staff.

Tour de France past winners in the last 12 years

• 2012: Bradley Wiggins (GBr) 
• 2013: Chris Froome (GBr) 
• 2014: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) 
• 2015: Chris Froome (GBr) 
• 2016: Chris Froome (GBr) 
• 2017: Chris Froome (GBr) 
• 2018: Geraint Thomas (GBr) 
• 2019: Egan Bernal (Col) 
• 2020: Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 
• 2021: Tadej Pogačar (Slo)  
• 2022: Jonas Vingegaard (Den)
• 2023: Jonas Vingegaard (Den)

Tour de France FAQ

How does the tour de france work.

The Tour de France is one of a trio of races that are three weeks long, known as the Grand Tours, alongside the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. The Tour is the best known and arguably the most prestigious.

It is the second of the three races in the calendar with the Giro taking place in May, the Tour usually in July, and the Vuelta in August and September.

The Tour, like all Grand Tours, takes on varying terrain with flat days for sprinters, hilly days for puncheurs and mountains for the climbers and GC riders, along with time trials, so that a winner of the race has to be able to perform on all types of road.

The main prize in the race, known as the general classification, is based on time with the overall leader wearing the yellow jersey. The race leader and eventual winner is the rider who has the lowest accumulated time over the 21 days of racing. Riders can win the Tour de France without winning a stage, as Chris Froome did in 2017. Time bonuses of 10, six, and four seconds are given to stage winners though, creating incentive for those general classification riders to chase individual victories and lower their overall time.

In 2020 it took race winner Tadej Pogačar 87 hours 20 minutes and 5 seconds to complete the race with the second-place rider overall 59 seconds slower. That continues all the way down to the last place rider, which was Roger Kluge (Lotto-Soudal) who finished 6 hours 7 minutes and 2 seconds behind.

The white best young rider's jersey is worked out in the same way but only riders under the age of 26 are eligible for the jersey.

The polka-dot mountains jersey and the green points jersey are based on a points system and not time. The only reason time would come into account would be if riders are tied on points, then it would go to who is the best placed in the general classification.

The team classification is based on the general classification times of the first three riders of a team on each stage. The time of those three riders is added up and put onto their team's time, creating a GC list much like in the individual classifications. The leading team gets to wear yellow numbers and helmets on each stage.

The final classification available is the combativity prize. This is decided by a race jury or, in more recent years, Twitter. This takes place just before the end of each stage and often goes to a rider from the breakaway who has put in a daring performance or attempted to liven up the stage by attacking. The winner of the combativity award gets to wear a special red race number on the following day's stage.

There is a final prize added to this with the Super Combativity prize being awarded on the podium in Paris. This is decided in a similar fashion to pick out the most aggressive, entertaining, and daring rider of the whole three weeks. Again, usually going to a rider who has featured regularly in the breakaway.

Stage winners do not wear anything special the day after apart from getting a small yellow jersey to stick on their number on their bike, this can be replaced if they win multiple stages.

Teams used to come to the race with nine riders but the UCI, cycling's governing body, decided that nine riders from each team was too dangerous and dropped it to eight, however more teams now take part.

How long is the Tour de France?

The Tour de France takes place over 23 days with 21 of them being race days. The riders get two days of resting; they usually fall on the second and third Monday of the race.

This year's race is 3,492km long, which is 2,170 miles, around the same distance from Washington DC to Las Vegas, or Helsinki to Lisbon. 

Road stages can range from anything around 100km to something approaching 250km, sometimes more. This year the shortest road stage is stage 20, from Nice to Col de la Couillole, with the longest being 229km on stage three in Italy, from Plaisance to Turin.

Road stages often take around four to five hours with the longer days sometimes nudging over seven hours.

Time trials are always much shorter. Team time trials have long since gone out of fashion in the world of road racing so individual time trials are the main focus these days. 

In 2024, the Tour has two individual time trials for the riders to tackle, the first on stage seven at 25km long from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin, and the second on the final stage from Monaco to Nice, at 34km long.

When does the Tour de France start?

The 2024 Tour de France starts on June 29 in Florence, Italy, with a road stage. There will be three full stages in Italy, before the fourth heads into France. The race finishes in Nice three weeks later.

The 2024 edition of the race runs from 29 June - 21 July, covering 21 stages. 

'To only lose 25 seconds is a good day for me' - Jonas Vingegaard defiant after Tour de France time trial

Defending champion loses 25 seconds to race leader Tadej Pogačar on stage seven

'I need to build on this' - Remco Evenepoel emerges as Tadej Pogačar's main Tour de France challenger

Not even a brief mechanical could stop the time trial world champion from winning Friday's 25km test

By Chris Marshall-Bell Published 5 July 24

Julien Bernard fined after stopping to kiss wife at Tour de France

Frenchman sanctioned 200CHF, but says he would do it again

By Tom Davidson Published 5 July 24

Who is leading the 2024 Tour de France after stage seven?

The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys

By Cycling Weekly Published 5 July 24

Remco Evenepoel powers to time trial victory on Tour de France stage seven, as Tadej Pogačar keeps yellow

Both Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič shipped time to the world champion and the race leader

By Adam Becket Published 5 July 24

Tour de France stage seven time trial start times

When will Tadej Pogačar and world champion Remco Evenepoel head down the ramp?

Tadej Pogačar's team fear Remco Evenepoel masterclass in Tour de France time trial

'I think to be with the top two on the Galibier will motivate him for a time trial' DS Matxin Fernandez warns that world champion could claw back substantial time in stage seven test

By Tom Thewlis Published 4 July 24

'It falls apart everywhere' - Alpecin-Deceuninck react to Jasper Philipsen relegation in Tour de France sprint

The Belgian is up against it as he misses out on another Tour stage victory

By Chris Marshall-Bell Published 4 July 24

Mark Cavendish fined for drafting behind race car at Tour de France

Sprinter receives 200CHF sanction and points deduction after stage six

By Tom Davidson Published 4 July 24

It took 52 years for someone to beat Merckx's Tour de France record - could anyone come close to taking it from Mark Cavendish?

Tadej Pogačar has 12 stage wins - but it would take eight more years at this current rate to beat Cavendish

By Adam Becket Published 4 July 24

Useful links

• Giro d'Italia
• Vuelta a España

buyers-guides

• Best road bikes
• Best gravel bikes
• Best smart turbo trainers
• Best cycling computers
• Editor's Choice
• Bike Reviews
• Component Reviews
• Clothing Reviews
• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Cavendish breaks long-held record for most Tour de France stage wins

• Associated Press

SAINT-VULBAS, France -- Mark Cavendish wrote a new chapter of Tour de France history in what is expected to be his last appearance at cycling's biggest race.

The veteran Isle of Man sprinter broke Eddy Merckx's long-standing record for most career Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Cavendish sprinted for the win in the fifth stage of the Tour, pulling away some 100 meters from the line despite being bunched in. He crossed the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen and then jumped into the arms of a teammate.

Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar retained the race leader's yellow jersey, but the day belonged to Cavendish.

He equaled Merckx's mark of 34 wins during the 2021 Tour and went close to No. 35 in the seventh stage last year when he was narrowly beaten to the line by Philipsen. He then crashed a day later and broke his right collarbone.

Merckx, the Belgian considered the most dominant rider in cycling history, won his 34 individual stages at the Tour from 1969-75.

With his 2023 race ending early, Cavendish decided to put off retirement by a year and came back to try again. His decision to give it one more shot paid off.

"I just wanted to get the run-in to do it. I'm a little bit in disbelief. Astana put a big gamble on this year to make sure we're good at the Tour de France," Cavendish said. "We've done it."

Finally, Cavendish made cycling history -- 16 years after winning his first Tour stage back in 2008.

Other riders were happy for Cavendish, with several stopping to speak with or hug him after the 177.4-kilometer (110-mile) leg from Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas.

Merckx amassed his wins in the 1960s and 70s, an era during which his domination was such that he earned the nickname "The Cannibal." Unlike Merckx, who won a record five Tours, Cavendish, who specializes in the sprints, has never won the overall title.

But Cavendish's speed, prowess and longevity among his fellow sprinters have no equal at the Tour.

Cavendish won the Tour de France best sprinter's green jersey twice. He also has won stages at all three Grand Tours -- Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Spanish Vuelta -- and became a world champion in 2011.

Cavendish joined Astana after his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl expired and he was overlooked for the 2022 edition of the Tour.

Cavendish had faced a difficult opening three stages of the Tour. During the first stage, he appeared to struggle with stomach and heat issues.

But that hadn't damaged his confidence.

"I know how it works, my trainer and everyone around me knows how it is. If everybody knew how it was, everyone would be a bike rider and my job would be a lot harder," Cavendish said Wednesday. "I've done 15 Tours de France. I don't like to have bad days, I don't like to suffer but I know it's just in the head and to push through it."

Deals of the Week   Must-haves for 2025   Up to 50% OFF

France Tours & Trips

• Seine River Cruises
• France Bicycle
• France from Paris

Southern France

250+ France tour packages with 1,889 reviews

Paris and Versailles

"This is my second trip with Eskapas. The first one was a small group tour fully escorted in Italy and it was wonderful." Paul, traveled in March 2024

French Dream ( 6 days )

"The tour destinations were very good, accommodation was good, the food was good." Deborah, traveled in April 2024

The Treasures of France including Normandy (8 Days)

"Absolutely excellent-thorough, entertaining, and trouble free. Highly recommended." GLENN, traveled in October 2022

• €100 deposit on some dates

French Ring ( 11 days )

Best of France Tour

"Good itinerary and well planned trip. Hotels are usually are located in the city center but tourist class hotels." Jackson, traveled in September 2022

Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley (Classic, 8 Days)

"Accommodations/meals/experiences were all wonderful. This is the tour for you if your goal is to make the most of each day and see a wonderful tour of some of France's most extraordinary locations." Katie, traveled in April 2023

Brilliant Bordeaux (2024) (Bordeaux to Bordeaux, 2024)

"Staff on the boat were always polite, helpful and accommodating. Excusions were fun." Marta, traveled in October 2023

Looking for tours beyond just France?

Explore tours with itineraries going through multiple countries, including France.

Paris and Côte d'Azur (the French Riviera) - Paris, Marseille & Nice in 8 Days

Paris Explorer (8 Days)

"The planned trips, the optional trips, the airport transfers were all top notch. It was a trip of my dreams for my granddaughter and myself!" Margaret, traveled in July 2023

Paris and the Best of Southern France - Paris, Avignon & Nice in 8 Days

What people love about france tours.

It was a really good experience. This is my second trip with Eskapas. The first one was a small group tour fully escorted in Italy and it was wonderful. This trip is independent and you are joining at the meeting point to daily group ours. If you have send of orientation, it may be difficult so I recommend yo to take a taxi to reach out to the meeting points. Usually it costs 15-20Euro. The company upgraded our hotel to New Hotel Le Voltaire 4* ,, located in 11th Arrondissement, close to Bastille. It is a correct one, decent breakfast. Don't miss Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise which is close proximity.

Well organized. Bruno was a little difficult to understand at times. However he was well versed, patient and very approachable. Driver, Jojo, was excellent!

Brilliant tour guide Leila and amazing driver Brein, together with extraordinary sights and very good accommodation, made for an excellent experience on the 3 day bus tour. I also appreciated the priority entry for all the visits included.

Most popular destinations in France

Northern France

Climb the Eiffel Tower for sweeping views of romantic Paris, tour a marvelous château, admire Romanesque and Gothic architecture in Rouen, and explore the poignant beaches of Normandy. A trip through the north of France promises a memorable experience.

Stroll through the lavender fields of Provence, savor some of the world's finest wines in Bordeaux, and explore the medieval city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don't forget to hit the glamorous beaches of Cannes, Nice, and Saint-Tropez!

From blooming strolling through lavender fields to exploring ancient architectural masterpieces like the Roman Amphitheatre in Arles to relaxing in cozy towns and sampling fine wines, Provence offers something for everyone.

Taste the finest wines in Burgundy, experience the charming lavender fields of Provence, and wander through ancient Roman ruins in Arles. A Rhone River cruise provides a unique glimpse into France's diverse heritage and beauty.

More exciting destinations:

Travel France your way

Join a group to discover your favorite tours in France at an affordable price. Choose from over 480 group tours and enjoy memorable experiences and make life long friends while enjoying your France tour.

Find the perfect tour for your family, catering to all ages with over 442 family tours available in France.

Fully Guided

Select from our extensive range of 414 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through France with our expert guides leading the way.

River Cruise

See France from a unique perspective with one of our top-rated river cruise tours, brought to you by internationally acclaimed cruise companies. Experience iconic cities like Paris, the castle-dotted natural Loire Valley, and heavenly food and wine.

More travel styles:

Top operators in France

"The trip from Lisboa to Rome was an amazing trip for our family of four. It's a first trip we booked with Tourrada despite the negative reviews from other travelers. The overall tour organization was very neat. The bus always kept nice and clean. The tour leaders were very friendly, courteously, and professionally. The various hotels select were above average in the safe, nice, and within a walkable environment.

Europamundo is an expert in:

• In-depth Cultural

"Sometimes tour guide walked too fast. Difficult for elderly tourists to keep up.

Trafalgar is an expert in:

"Wonderful guided hikes, all different and amazing views. Tourradar really surpassed all my expectations. From a wonderful hotel - stayed at Richemond Hotel, in the centre of town to the amazing prepared lunches and restaurant dinners to our wonderful and knowledgeable guide Nichole. Thank you Nicole for your energy, patience, calmness, and expertise both up and down each mountain adventure. You made our trip a wonderful

Intrepid Travel is an expert in:

Best time to visit France

• March 2025 100 tours
• April 2025 172 tours
• May 2025 popular 175 tours
• July 2024 219 tours
• August 2024 popular 272 tours
• September 2024 popular 296 tours
• October 2024 282 tours
• November 2024 116 tours
• December 2024 popular 77 tours
• January 2025 61 tours
• February 2025 59 tours

Contact our France travel experts

Expert in France at TourRadar

Marianne is one of our seasoned France Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about France tours answered!

• Choose from 582+ France tours
• 1,889 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
• 24/7 customer support

Write us a message

Travel Styles

• Small Group (114)
• Budget (50)
• Luxury (127)
• Singles and Solo (531)
• For Couples (391)
• Young Adults (5)
• Seniors (454)
• 3 Day Tours (20)
• 7 Day Tours (218)
• 10 Day Tours (228)
• 2 Week Tours (58)
• 3 Week Tours (50)
• 4 Week Tours (8)

France Tours starting in

• Starting in Paris (171)
• Starting in Lyon (47)
• Starting in Strasbourg (41)
• Starting in Arles (37)
• Starting in Bordeaux (33)
• Starting in Nice (33)
• Starting in Avignon (20)
• Starting in London (14)
• Starting in Chalon sur Saone (10)
• Starting in Marseille (9)
• France Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 10 Day France Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Best 7 Day France Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

Discover TourRadar

• Kenya Safari
• South Korea Tours
• Colorado tours
• Central Mexico July 2024 tours
• Utah Seniors tours
• Rajasthan Mumbai tours
• Ranthambore Travel Guide: What to Know Before Visiting

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

What to Know About This Year’s Tour de France (Which Begins in Italy)

Two previous winners are the leading contenders to win cycling’s most famous race, which, in a rarity, does not end in Paris.

By Victor Mather

For three weeks starting Saturday, the world’s best cyclists will do battle in the Tour de France, racing through valleys, hills and high mountains. Though 176 riders will start, most eyes will be on a pair of two-time winners who seek title No. 3.

After more than 2,000 miles and dozens of punishing climbs, will the winner be Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, who took the last two Tours de France but was hurt in a crash this year? Or Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, the 2020 and 2021 winner ? Or will an unexpected contender jump up and surprise them?

And, wait: Is it really the Tour de France if the race doesn’t finish on the Champs-Élysées? Here’s a primer to read before the race gets underway.

Where will they race?

For the first time, the race will start in Italy , with the opening stage beginning in Florence and winding through the Apennine Mountains to Rimini, a city on the Adriatic coast. It will be more difficult than most opening stages, with several uphill climbs.

After a few days in Italy, the race will enter France, then go counterclockwise around the country, passing through the Alps, the Massif Central, the Pyrenees and then the Alps again.

Who are the favorites?

Vingegaard won last year’s event by an emphatic seven and a half minutes. But after a good start to the 2024 cycling season, he crashed badly in the Tour of the Basque Country in April and spent 12 days in the hospital with a broken collarbone. He is expected to ride in the Tour de France, but there is uncertainty as to what kind of shape he will be in.

As a result, Pogacar, who has been in fine form, is the favorite to win and regain his crown.

Pogacar rode in the Giro d’Italia, or Tour of Italy, in May. Unlike riders in that race who hold back to preserve their strength for the Tour de France, he gave it his all, winning by almost 10 minutes. If Pogacar claims the Tour as well, he will be the first cyclist since Marco Pantani, in 1998, to win the Giro and the Tour in the same season.

After the big two, other possible contenders include Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, the 2023 Giro winner, and Remco Evenepoel of Belgium, who won the 2022 Tour of Spain.

Though an individual wins the Tour, his team can help a lot, pacing him in the mountains and blocking attacks from rivals. Last year’s leading team, Jumbo-Visma (now Visma–Lease a Bike) has broken up; Vingegaard is still its leader, but Roglic left to join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. UAE Team Emirates will support Pogacar with a squad that includes Adam Yates of Britain, a rider with the talent to win the Tour himself; he placed third last year.

Tell me the days that really matter.

The first stage to focus on is July 2, when the riders travel from Italy to France. It includes a climb up the Galibier, one of the Tour’s toughest mountains, and one that still has snow on the side of the roads.

In the midst of a week of flat stages that won’t change the leaderboard much, there is a time trial on July 5 in Burgundy wine country. The riders will race alone against the clock, with no help from teammates, which is why a time trial is known as “the race of truth.”

The real action comes at the end, with five mountain stages. The July 13 stage is particularly notable; it includes a climb up the Tourmalet in the Pyrenees and ends with an uphill — or more accurately, up-mountain — finish that is sure to winnow out any pretenders. Also make note of July 14, 17, 19 and 20 as four more brutal mountain stages where the Tour is likely to be won, or lost.

But even the flat stages, which are usually won by sprinters and seldom affect the overall standings, may have some extra interest this year. The great sprinter Mark Cavendish, 39, has 34 career stage victories and needs one more to break the record he shares with Eddy Merckx, the dominant rider of the 1960s and ’70s.

What’s different this year?

The day after that last mountain stage, the race will end, but not with the traditional ceremonial cruise down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Instead, the field will hold a time trial to finish the Tour for the first time since 1989. If the race is close, the winner could be decided on that final day, as it was in 1989. That year, the American Greg LeMond snatched the Tour from Laurent Fignon of France in a time trial by a mere eight seconds, still the closest margin in history.

To avoid the Paris Olympics, which open five days later, the time trial will run from Monaco to Nice. It is the first time since 1974 the race has not ended on the Champs-Élysées and the first time ever it has not ended in Paris or its environs.

Remind me what the jerseys mean.

In each stage, whoever is the overall leader wears the yellow jersey to make him easier to spot for TV viewers and the thousands of fans along the route.

But there are other jerseys, too. Finishing near the front in individual stages, especially flat ones, earns points toward the green jersey for best sprinter. Last year’s winner of this jersey was Jasper Philipsen.

The first riders to reach the top of the race’s many mountains earn points toward the garish polka-dot jersey for best climber. The top contenders for yellow are also favored to win this jersey, as is Giulio Ciccone of Italy, who won last year.

Are there any Americans racing?

The days of American favorites like LeMond and Lance Armstrong are over for the time being. Moreover, Sepp Kuss, the American who won the 2023 Tour of Spain, is out because of a Covid-19 infection.

Matteo Jorgenson, 24, on the Visma team, is the top-ranked American. He won this year’s weeklong Paris-Nice race, and some think he can contend for the tour’s title in the future, or maybe, if all goes well, this year.

How can I watch?

Stages generally start around 6 or 7 a.m. Eastern time and last four to five hours. In the United States, Peacock will stream every stage live. Some stages will be shown on NBC and USA as well.

Other broadcasters include ITV and Eurosport (United Kingdom), SBS (Australia), FloBikes (Canada), France Televisions (France), ARD (Germany) and J Sports (Japan).

Victor Mather, who has been a reporter and editor at The Times for 25 years, covers sports and breaking news. More about Victor Mather

Girmay becomes first Black African to win a Tour de France stage

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Hugh Lawson

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Sports Chevron

Angels hope to jump-start offense against Cubs

Offense has been a premium recently for the Los Angeles Angels.

Suivez le Tour en direct avec l'application officielle !

Jeux officiels.

Culture Tour

• Enjeux sportifs

Histoire du Tour

• Tous les classements
• Venez sur le Tour
• Diffusion TV
• Engagements
• Maillots du Tour

Collection "Maillot Jaune"

• Chiffres clés
• Partenaires

La puissance, façon Remco

Le résumé long - étape 7.

Briefing - Etape 8

CLUB | Devinez le vainqueur du jour avec Continental

Vainqueur Étape 7

Leaders aux classements - Étape 7

Vidéos à la Une

Étape 1 | 29/06 florence > rimini, étape 2 | 30/06 cesenatico > bologne, étape 3 | 01/07 plaisance > turin, étape 4 | 02/07 pinerolo > valloire, étape 5 | 03/07 saint-jean-de-maurienne > saint-vulbas, étape 6 | 04/07 mâcon > dijon, étape 7 | 05/07 nuits-saint-georges > gevrey-chambertin, étape 8 | 06/07 semur-en-auxois > colombey-les-deux-églises, étape 9 | 07/07 troyes > troyes, repos | 08/07 orléans, étape 10 | 09/07 orléans > saint-amand-montrond, étape 11 | 10/07 évaux-les-bains > le lioran, étape 12 | 11/07 aurillac > villeneuve-sur-lot, étape 13 | 12/07 agen > pau, étape 14 | 13/07 pau > saint-lary-soulan pla d'adet, étape 15 | 14/07 loudenvielle > plateau de beille, repos | 15/07 gruissan, étape 16 | 16/07 gruissan > nîmes, étape 17 | 17/07 saint-paul-trois-châteaux > superdévoluy, étape 18 | 18/07 gap > barcelonnette, étape 19 | 19/07 embrun > isola 2000, étape 20 | 20/07 nice > col de la couillole, étape 21 | 21/07 monaco > nice, préparez votre venue sur le tour, paysage du jour, tour de france 2024 arrivée nice, nos engagements, grand départ lille-nord de france 2025, les actus du tour, voyagistes officiels, boutique officielle, accessoires, suivez-nous.

Recevez des informations exclusives sur le Tour de France

Classement général

> Abandons

Accréditations

Déficients visuels, politique de confidentialité, vos droits rgpd.

Home » Tours » Guided » 2024 Tour de France Tours

2024 Tour de France Tour

Mt. Ventoux

Menton on the Mediterranean 

2024 Tour de France Tours

​looking to experience the excitement in france in july 2024, join obt on our tour de france tours.

2024 will be OBT’s 24th year of offering Tour de France holidays. Join us for another year of amazing riding and racing! We welcome riders of all levels and non-riders on our Tour de France vacation packages. Past guests include TdF fans from Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. You won’t find a better value for Tour de France spectator tours. Our Tour de France Tours ensure that everyone is included and has an experience of a lifetime!

Our 2024 Tour de France tour will be very special, with at least 4 stage viewings and several days of riding in the southern Alps. You’ll be able to conquer legends like Mt. Ventoux , Col de la Couillole , and many others. See the full itinerary below.

What can you expect from our Tour de France Tours? 

• Included are all accommodations, which are located in prime locations for race viewing. All breakfasts and most dinners are included. In addition, all luggage transfers, road support, detailed route notes, maps and GPS courses, an OBT cycling jersey, and our special OBT hospitality are included!
• All of our favorite hotels are 3 & 4-star located in prime locations for race viewing. The food is delicious and the views are stunning.
• With your registration, you receive an OBT jersey plus other complementary schwag.

If you’d like to read more about our TdF tour experiences read HERE  and HERE .

Join us on our Tour de France Tours!

See the full itinerary below.

• General Details
• Accommodations
• Rental Bikes Available
• Register For This Tour
• Dates: July 13 to 22, 2024
• Length:  10 days, 9 nights
• Service:  Fully supported guided tour
• Type of riding:  Varied – High mountains to rolling terrain
• Bikes available to rent: Road bikes e-bikes, or hybrids.
• Average daily riding:  From 20 miles/30km to 60 miles/100km with an average of 40 miles/65km. We always have extensions available for those wanting more challenging riding!
• S tart city: Sault/Avignon
• Finish city: Menton (Near Nice)
• Suggested transport: Arrive by train to Avignon from Paris or Marseilles. Depart by flying from Paris or Marseilles after taking the train from Menton.  

• Sizes – XS to XXL
• Components – Shimano 105, hydraulic disc, compact double cranksets. 

Hybrid Bikes: Our rental hybrid bikes are a relaxed style with flat handlebars.

• Type – Hybrid (Aluminum)
• Sizes – XS to XL
• Components – Mixture of Shimano road and mountain components with either triple cranksets.

• Type – Electric assist eBikes
• Sizes – S to XL
• Components – Mixture of Shimano Acera and Deore.

      During the registration process, you will be asked for specifics to have the correct sized bike waiting for you. We can supply any number of styles of pedals – SPD, SPD-r, flat, Speedplay, Look, etc.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• OBT cycling jersey
• Complementary performance food for personal fueling and hydration
• All hotel accommodations
• Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
• Meals as explained in the tour itinerary pages.
• Detailed route notes, maps, and tourist information
• Outstanding routing instructions for all rides! This includes GPS course downloads for your GPS unit, traditional cue sheet, and written prose describing each turn and the surrounding area. These methods are then supported by a roadmap.
• Your personal guides, helping you with support vehicles. On-road support will always be near. From greeting guests when they arrive to handling luggage transfers, mechanical issues, etc – our guides assist guests in every way. They also set you up on your rental bikes and can help with routing, and any other questions.

  WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Transportation to and from the start and finish locations
• Bikes, but we have rental bikes available
• Travel and Health Insurance
• Admission to sightseeing venues, unless explicitly mentioned as included

Tour Cost Per Person:

• Double Occupancy: US$4,295
• Single Occupancy: US$5,195

  Bike Rental Per Person:

• Road Bike: US$395
• eBike: US$395
• Hybrid: US$325

What’s Next? Registering for your tour!

• Questions: First, please feel free to ask us any questions about the tour. We are happy to help clarify any details.
• Registration: Once you are ready to register please go to https://outfittertours.com/registration/ and complete the registration form. At the beginning of the form choose “Guided” then “2024 Tour de France Tour” from the first two drop-down boxes. EACH tour participant will need to complete the form. At the end of the registration for you will be asked for a US$800 deposit. You can pay the deposit by bank check, wire, or credit card. Once we have all registrations we will secure all of the details of your tour – hotels, bikes, etc.
• Final Payment: 60 days prior to your tour we will invoice you for the balance of the tour.
• Tour Packet Delivery: Once the balance is paid and approximately 30 days before your tour we will send you a complete tour packet containing all details of your tour – accommodation information, detailed routing, a suggested packing list, maps, tourist guide, and much much more! For more information on our Terms & Conditions please CLICK HERE .

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: july 13th – saturday – welcome to provence.

Arrive at the Avignon train station and we will take you to our refuge just south of the “Giant of Provence”, Mt. Ventoux. We will spend the first 3 nights of the tour in Sault, a beautiful village among the blooming lavender fields. Our hotel is near the center of Sault, giving you a true feel of a rural French village. We’ll get you set up on your bikes and give you a short local riding route to enjoy if you wish. Your welcome dinner is included at the hotel this evening, and we’ll have an orientation meeting.

Day 2: July 14th – Sunday – Ride around Sault

Our Tour de France tour’s first riding day is perfect for finding your riding legs in France. Sault is known for its quiet roads away from the crowded tourist areas. We will have a hilly ride that will take you around the area and through lavender fields. We’ll also scope out a market in a local village nearby. Dinner is back at the hotel in Sault.

Day 3: July 15th – Monday – Mt. Ventoux!

Today you will have a chance to conquer the legendary Mt. Ventoux. Known as a battleground for TdF stages of years past, we will take the “easy” way up to the summit. Of the three ways up, we will take the less steep, from Sault. There will be options options with less climbing, if you wish. Dinner is on your own in Sault. There are many options around town.

Day 4: July 16th – Tuesday – Transfer to Les Orres

Today we transfer to the high southern Alps, near Gap and Embrun. This will position us perfectly to see two mountain stages in the coming days. Our hotel is in the ski village of Les Orres. We will either have a morning ride around Sault or an afternoon ride in Les Orres. Dinner is included at the hotel in Les Orres.

Day 5: July 17th – Wednesday – Embrun Loop Ride

We will do a loop ride in the area and scope out Embrun for the stage start in two days. Dinner is included at our hotel.

Day 6: July 18th – Thursday – Stage 18!

We finally see the peloton in person! The stage will start in Gap and finish near Barcellonette, and we will be viewing the stage near the finish. We get up the mountain early for stage viewing. Dinner is again included and at our hotel.

Day 7: July 19th – Friday – Stage 19 Start in Embrun

Another day! Another stage! We will ride to the stage start in Embrun, We’ll enjoy the rider sign-in, and watch them roll out. We can continue our ride and enjoy the great roads of the area. Dinner is included at the hotel in Les Orres.

Day 8: July 20th – Saturday – Stage 20 finish on the Col de la Couillole

Today we jump in the vans and ride up the “backside” of the Col de la Couillole, where the stage will be finishing. Once the stage is finished we will ride back down and take teh vans to Menton, the location of our next hotel. It’ll be a very long day, and dinner is in Menton when we roll in. 

Day 9: July 21st – Sunday – Stage 21 Time Trial from Monaco to Nice

Today we will be crushing through the crowds of the time trial along the Mediterranean. Whether it is at the start in Monaco or at the finish in Nice, we’ll experience the TdF full-on! Dinner is on your own due to the crowds and busy day.

Day 10: July 22nd – Monday – Au Revoir!

Departure day! The Menton train station is a 12-minute walk from our hotel. You can easily catch a train to quickly take you back to the city you flew into or beyond! Bon voyage! We hope you enjoyed your tour with Outfitter Bicycle Tours!

Let us Start Curating Your Cycling Vacation!

USA & Canada: +1-877-275-9241

International: +1-415-322-0421

Email: info@outfittertours.com

US/CA: 1-800-929-0152

AUS: 1-80068236710

Request A Call

No tours available yet...

Tour de France 2024 Tickets

Tour de France 2024 Packages

Adventure Vacations for Couples

European Tours for Seniors

European Tours for Families

Group Tours to Europe

Honeymoon Europe Tour

Singles Tours Europe

United Kingdom

Switzerland

Baltic States

France Bike Tours

Europe Bike Tours

Europe Luxury Bike Tours

Epic Cycling

Cycling Challenges

Self-Guided Tours

Heritage Tours

Adventure Cycling

Food and Culinary Tours

Walking and Hiking Tours

Multi Sport Tours

Private Guided Tours

Custom Tours

Loire Valley

Massif Central

French Riviera

Atlantic Coast

VIP Cycling tours

Our Tour de France VIP Cycling Tours allow you to challenge yourself on legendary climbs. With your exclusive VIP access, you’ll get these thrilling opportunities:

• Cross the finish line before the peloton!
• Take pictures on the podium in the famous yellow jersey!
• Meet the riders!
• Enjoy the exciting atmosphere at the Departure Village!

Tour de France 2025

Sign up here and get exclusive Tour de France 2025 offers before the official release!

Home » Tour de France » VIP Cycling Tours

VIP Access - Nice finish VIP - 2 nights

[SOLD OUT] : Attend the great arrival of the Tour de France in Nice! You will be comfortably seated on the Izoard VIP Stand or seated on the Tribune...

VIP Cycling Tour - Dolomites & Grand Departure Adventure - TOUR DE FRANCE

This VIP Tour of the Tour de France 2024 comprises two parts: the first in the renowned Dolomites, featuring challenging ascents like the iconic Stelvio...

VIP Cycling Tour - Women's Adventure - TOUR DE FRANCE

This VIP guided tour will allow you to follow the Tour de France Women and discover the roads from the shores of Chateauneuf lake to the 21 bends of...

VIP Access - 48 Hours in the heart of the Tour - TOUR DE FRANCE

During this tour we offer an exclusive opportunity as a VIP at the finish and start of two stages of the Tour de France. We've taken care to choose a...

VIP Cycling Tour - Pyrenees Adventure - TOUR DE FRANCE

On this VIP TDF guided tour, you'll be totally immersed in a mountain atmosphere. From Loudenvielle in the central Pyrenees to Couiza in the eastern...

VIP Cycling Tour - Alps & Nice Adventure - TOUR DE FRANCE

This is the must-do stay of this Tour de France 2024, being able to experience a historic finish in Nice is incredible. This guided VIP tour takes you...

You can also find your Tour de France tickets .

BIKE TOURS FOR EVERYONE SINCE 1994

US HQ 55 East 59th Street, 9th floor New York, NY 10022, United States (1) 800-929-0152

FRANCE HQ 427 Rue Hélène Boucher, Espace Commercial Fréjorgues Ouest, Mauguio 34130, France +33 (0)4 67 15 82 04

• Why Discover France
• Why choose a specialized travel agency
• Loyalty program
• Customer feedbacks
• Travel advice
• Terms & conditions

© 2024 Discover France. All rights reserved

• Legal notice

Tour de France

The Tour de France is the pinnacle event of cycling and one of the greatest, largest scale sporting events across the globe. The three week race travels across some of France’s most stunning, yet testing terrain, every year delivering an incredible display of world class sporting entertainment. With that, thousands of passionate cycling fans and   supporters from all over come in swarms to avidly cheer their countrymen and favourite riders on, throughout its 21 day course.

At Mummu Cycling, we thrive in creating a platform for like-minded fans and cycling enthusiasts to come to the Tour de France each year to experience its greatness at a whole new level. We are one of only a select few Official Tour de France tour operators which ensures we have unprecedented exclusivity and access to the race and its inner sanctum, allowing us to deliver truly once in a lifetime Tour de France experiences, with an added difference each year.

As an  Official Tour de France Tour Operator ,  we have the ability to take you as far into the race’s inner sanctum as is possible with exclusive access to incredible hospitality locations and VIP experiences everyday!

About the Tour de France

The Pinnacle of Racing

The pinnacle of the professional cycling calendar, Le Tour de France is the must-see event of Grand Tours. The  2018 Tour de France route  is one for the ages, offering challenging cross-winds, cobbled stages, two time trials (TTT and ITT) and three epic altitude finished including La Rosière, Alpe d’Huez and Saint-Larry-Soulon col de Portet.

In 2019 Tour de France will depart from Brussel’s, so stay tuned for our package release following the full route announcement in October. To ensure you don’t miss out click here to register your interest today!

The Mummu Cycling Difference at the Tour de France

Guided Tours

All of our tours are designed by Stuart O’Grady – a former Paris-Roubaix winner, 6 x Olympian, 17 time Tour de France contender and legend of the sport.

Some of Stuart’s Tour de France highlights include winning; his first Yellow jersey in 1998, the TTT in the Yellow jersey in 2001, the Tour De France as Team captain in 2008 and the TTT in his final TdF with an Australian team in 2013.

We also have an expert team of support staff who will help you achieve your goals, keep your legs pumping and guide you through the madness even off the bike!

ASO Approved

We are one of only six ASO approved, official Tour de France Tour Operators. This enables us to guarantee; outstanding race access, the best hotel options, exclusive hospitality invitations and a fantastic daily ride program.

As part of our operators license we can ensure you enjoy an incredibly unique opportunity to ride on the actual Tour de France stage route, just hours ahead of the pros, on closed roads and with an official race escort. Sound appealing?

Lastly – as the cherry on top to this experience, you’ll jump up on the official Tour de France podium for a celebratory photo or two!

It’s a once in a lifetime experience and all part of the Mummu Cycling difference that we strive to deliver.

Hospitality invitations

Through our Tour Operators license, your experience will include official ‘Le Tour’ hospitality invitations.

This means you’ll be sipping champagne at the finish line, while enjoying a French canapé or two as the peloton speed past one day…and the next you’ll be in the Relais Etape exclusive hospitality zone, enjoying a 3-course lunch, paired with French wine, located in a prime position along the Tour de France route…all in great company as you dine and share race banter alongside  former legends of the race!

All just part of the Mummu Cycling Difference…

Meet & Greet

We’ll take you right inside the race -including the team bus area, where you’ll see the riders preparing for the stage ahead and enjoy a photo or two with your favourite stars of the peloton. Stick with Stuey and this is inevitable!

You’ll visit the departure village, where you’ll be treated to French delicacies and delicious local produce while you watch the riders sign on for the stage to come.

And last, but certainly not least, we’ll organise a pro team ‘meet and greet’ at the team race hotel. This allows you the perfect opportunity to chat to the riders and gather some great insight into the race from the directeur sportif + team staff in a relaxed environment.

It is through Stuart’s private network and connections within the pro cycling world that we can provide these unique experiences and ones that cannot be bought or compared.

• Refine Search:

Showing all 17 results

2025 Tour de France Prerelease Guarantee

2024 One Day Experiences – Ride In An Official Car

Grand Départ Firenze

Torino > Alps Adventure

Burgundy > Troyes w Cadel & Stuey

Pyrenees w Richie Porte

Pyrenees Pursuit w Cadel Evans

Alps > Nice Finale

Alps > Nice Adventure

Nice Soirée

Grand Départ Basque

Bilbao > Pyrenees

Tour des Vins 23

Alps Pro with Cadel Evans and Stuart O’Grady

Alps > Paris Adventure

Alps > Paris

Paris Finale Weekend

Register your interest for 2024.

• Phone Number

Uncategorized (25)

2020 CME/Professional Development Tour de France Experience (1)

Jayco Herald Sun Tour (1)

Milan - San Remo (1)

Ride with a Pro (2)

Flanders Tour (1)

Past Tours (21)

Roubaix Tours (1)

Spring Classics (2)

Santos Tour Down Under (2)

Get the Hottest Deals First!

Refined culture and deep history

A rendezvous with a magnifique experience awaits! As cliché as it sounds, France truly has something for everyone. With over two dozen cities, each with their own nuances of the French culture and contributions to its history, architecture, art and last but not least, the gastronomical delights that the French are famous for throughout the world are yours to explore, experience and fall in love with during your stay. Coast to coast, border to border, there are seemingly endless variations on your French experience to be had. Rolling hills and scenic valleys lined with the fruit of the gods; seaside towns, along sandy beaches with views you just might be sharing with royalty; or maybe snowcapped mountain ranges providing some of the best skiing in the world and an adrenaline rush to match is what you seek. Whatever you decide, France easily makes you feel as if you have stepped out of reality and into the art you learned about and loved since you were a child.

Explore More

Destination Must-Sees

This French capital is one of the world's greatest cities and certainly one of its most beautiful. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and Orsay Museums, the Champs Elysees, Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur, and many others are all iconic symbols of the "City of Light." Renowned for fabulous dining, high fashion and the French savoir faire, one can keep returning to Paris over a lifetime and still not see everything it has to offer.

Sitting on the French Riviera, north of Cannes, is a town that is an olfactory oasis. Set in the hills, Grasse is considered the perfume capital of the world. The town’s fields of jasmine, lavender, and other fragrant flowers are harvested to create essential oils for perfume production. Perfumers (known as a nez, or nose) in Grasse can teach you how to recognize different scents and how top notes, mid notes and the lingering base of a fragrance come together to create a magical aroma.

At 370 acres or three-quarters of a square mile, the Principality of Monaco is the world's second smallest sovereign state. It sits in a scenic cliff-side location on the Mediterranean completely surrounded by French territory. This fairy tale of a country is headed by the Prince Sovereign, currently, Albert II, son of Rainier III and American actress Grace Kelly. Discover a place that is just as you imagined with opulent architecture, stunning coastal panoramas, chic boutiques and ritzy cars. Highlights of a visit include the Oceanographic Museum and the Prince's Palace as well as the Cathedral, the final resting place of the Principality's monarchs.

A perfectly preserved medieval enclave of Roman origins, Avignon is set in the heart of France's Provence region on the banks of the Rhone River. For 68 years in the 14th century, Avignon was the capital of Christianity, the seat of 10 Popes before the papacy was brought back to Rome in 1377. Avignon has always been a center for art and culture, a designation that continues with its annual Arts Festival, hosting numerous stage productions, film showings, exhibitions, poetry readings, concerts, mime performances, ballets, and more.

Destination Must-Dos

Small-town touring:

Take a break from the City of Light and get a taste of old world France when spending time in countryside villages that look like they are plucked from a storybook. With many unique villages, each region has its own special qualities for you to experience. Travel through hilltops, rocky coasts and remarkable views while learning about the locals and their lifestyles.

Omaha Beach:

This was one of the beach sectors assigned to the American landing forces during the invasion of June 6, 1944. It was here that the U.S. First Division fought the bloodiest engagement on D-Day. Go through the towns that make up the sector: St-Laurent, Colleville and Vierville. Set foot on the beach and reflect on that fateful day and cherish the present peace. The American Military Cemetery stands up on the bluff as a testament to the greatest sacrifice that these Americans have made in the name of freedom.

Dinner at Eiffel Tower:

Put yourself in a scene from a movie; the lights of Paris glitter beneath you as you dine inside one of the world’s most iconic landmarks – the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889 as part of the World's Fair by the architecture team of Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris today. Located on the first level is 58 Tour Eiffel, a gourmet restaurant with stunning panoramic views of Paris. Since food is another big part of Parisian culture, the meal is several courses, beautifully displayed and accompanied with wine, coffee and tea.

Cabaret Theatre performance:

Immerse yourself in the nostalgic side of Parisian culture when taking your seat at a traditional cabaret show. Colorful, crazy, glamourous and intriguing are all used when describing the excitement that is Parisian cabarets. Enjoy your meal while being entertained with a show or play in this festive atmosphere.

Expert Advice

In many places in France, wine costs less than water. Stay hydrated of course but this is also an affordable chance to try many different varieties of the best wine in the world.

Dinner at the Paradis Latin requires business casual attire; shorts are not allowed. This is your chance to get into the spirit of this exciting night.

The French eat lunch between noon and 2:30p.m. and dinner between 8-11p.m. Many restaurants close after lunch and do not open again until dinner time.

Featured Tours to France

France Magnifique

Essence of France Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

Spotlight on Paris

Spotlight on the French Riviera

Spotlight on the French Riviera featuring Nice's Carnival and Menton Lemon Festival

Memorials of World War II featuring the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing

London & Paris

London & Paris Holiday

Brochures that feature our france tours, find a travel agency.

Once you've found the perfect Collette tour, your local travel agent can assist you in making reservations. To find a preferred travel agent in your area, please enter your 5-digit zip code, then click Search.

Enter a Whole or Partial Zip Code

Please tell us everything, we want it all.

We really value your feedback, please be open an honest. Tell us where we can improve, how we can get better. This feedback is anonymous, but if you would like us to get in touch with you regarding an issue provide your email address as part of your feedback and we will get right back to you.

Talk to an Expert

Please fill out the form below, and a Collette Expert will contact you shortly.

• Yes, I'm a Travel Professional
• Yes, I am working with a Travel Professional
• I am traveling with 8 or more travelers

View or Download

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes Tour de France history, becoming the first black rider to win stage

Sport Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes Tour de France history, becoming the first black rider to win stage

Eritrea's Biniam Girmay has made history, becoming the first black rider to win a Tour de France stage. 

Girmay said his sprint win in the mostly flat third leg of this year's race was "for all Africans".

"We must be proud now. We are really part of the big races," he said. "Now it's our moment. It's our time."

Before the podium celebration, Girmay went over and greeted Eritrean fans waving their country's green, red and blue flag.

"There is a whole continent that has been waiting for this," said Aike Visbeek, the performance director for Girmay's Intermarche-Wanty team. 

"It's been done now, and I hope it will open the floodgates for more riders from Africa. He's an ambassador in every way."

Meanwhile, Mark Cavendish's pursuit of a record-breaking 35th stage win was postponed by a crash ahead of him in the finale, and Olympic champion Richard Carapaz took the yellow jersey from Tadej Pogacar, making him the first Ecuadorean to lead cycling's biggest race.

Girmay also made history in Italy two years ago when he won a stage at the Giro d'Italia to become the first black African to take a victory in a Grand Tour.

But Girmay's Giro victory was marred when he was rushed to a hospital after getting hit in the left eye by a prosecco cork he popped open during the podium celebration — forcing him to abandon the race.

Also in 2022, Girmay became the first rider from a sub-Saharan country to win a single-day classic at the Gent-Wevelgem race.

Riders from only one other African country — South Africa — have won Tour stages: Robert Hunter (2007) and Daryl Impey (2019). Four-time Tour champion Chris Froome was born and raised in Kenya but represented Britain.

The 231 kilometre leg from Piacenza to Turin — the longest stage of this Tour — provided the first chance for a mass sprint. There will be at least a handful of other opportunities for sprinters as the race prepares to cross back into France following the first four stages in Italy.

With time to start raising his arms before he crossed the line, Girmay finished just ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.

Cavendish has been tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 wins for three years and put off retirement to try again this year to break the record.

Members of the Israel-Premier Tech team fell ahead of Cavendish, who crossed 113th but was given the same finishing time as Girmay as per rules that neutralise the times in case of crashes in the final five kilometres.

"I was just looking to stay up. I'm too little to see what's going on but I could hear it," Cavendish said. 

"Someone skidded and I was just waiting for someone to hit from behind. Luckily they didn't and we kind of got through, but we were way off it and with 2.5K to go we were out of it. I don't think anybody was seriously hurt and that's the main thing."

Cavendish complimented Girmay, who won a reduced sprint.

"That's just massive. Cycling is massive in Eritrea. It's super good for him and for African cycling," Cavendish said. "He's a legend, isn't he?"

Pogacar dropped to second overall, with the same time as Carapaz.

Remco Evenepoel — the 2022 world champion and Spanish Vuelta winner — is third overall; and two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard is fourth, both also with the same time as Carapaz.

Danish rider Casper Pedersen had to abandon the race after falling with 15 kilometres to go and breaking his collarbone.

The race crosses back into France on Tuesday during Stage 4, the first big mountain leg going up to Sestriere and over the Col du Galibier — one of the Tour's classic climbs — in the 140-kilometre route from Pinerolo to Valloire.

Pogacar, who won the Tour in 2020 and 2021, and Vingegaard will be favoured to take the yellow jersey from Carapaz, who won the Giro in 2019 before taking gold in Tokyo three years ago.

"Tomorrow will be a big day," Carapaz said. "It will be complicated. I'm going to try and give everything. I'm going to try and enjoy every single moment in the yellow jersey."

The ABC of SPORT

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Cavendish struggles with vomiting during brutal tour de france opener as bardet claims yellow jersey.

'We ride on dynamite': A century on from the Tour de France's first doping scandal

• Cycle Sport
• Road Cycle Racing

Tailwind on every ride? – See e-bike trips

European Classic booking fast – see the trips

• Request a Catalog
• 866-464-8735

Select Date Range

Popular searches.

California Wine Country Bike Tour

Croatia and The Dalmatian Coast Bike Tour

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike Tour

Tuscany Bike Tour

Tour de France Reservations

Early access to tour de france itineraries.

We are excited for the 2025 Tour de France! If you are too, place a deposit to get early access to our 2025 Tour de France trips. Each year we look forward to showing you what we have up our sleeves to create the ultimate Tour experience at the world’s biggest cycling celebration. We expect the 2025 trip details to be released in early November of 2024. Reserve early access to our exclusive itineraries with a fully refundable $1,000 deposit. Once our itineraries are released, confirm your spot with a Trip Consultant and place a second deposit. These trips sell out every year; don’t miss your shot at getting the best seats to the year’s biggest show.

Our Race Difference

Paris finale viewing.

On select Tour de France trips, you’ll finish your experience of a lifetime in Paris, where you’ll watch the pros race past in Place de la Concorde as you enjoy an exclusive Trek Travel gala viewing event. 

Details coming soon!

Exclusive Race Viewing

Our status as an Official Tour Operator means you can cheer from our exclusive stage viewing locations complete with front row seats, catered lunches, and TV broadcasts. Our race trip itineraries include at least two live race viewings, and sometimes even VIP stage start or finish access.

View itineraries from the most recent Tour»

Race-Ready Equipment

When it comes to bikes, we set the standard. Included in the price of your trip is the award winning Trek Domane SL 7 with Shimano Ultegra Disc brakes and Di2 electronic shifting which comes equipped with a Garmin GPS device. You can also upgrade to the Domane+ SLR 7 (subject to availability).

View our bikes»

First-class Support

Our guides support you both on and off the bike. We always have one guide in our support vehicle and the other cycling alongside you. Our race trip guides have the experience and mechanical skills necessary to manage the trip logistics of pro race itineraries and stage viewings.

Meet our team»

Reserve Your Early Access to Tour de France Itineraries

1. Submit a reservation request by contacting us  or fill out the form below.       

2. Place a fully refundable deposit to gain early access to the Tour de France itineraries.

3. We’ll email you the full itineraries before it’s made public.

4. Review itineraries via email, confirm reservation(s) with additional deposit or cancel for refund.

5. Once booked, your total deposit is non-refundable. Your final balance will be charged 120 days before your trip starts.

6. Once your trip is finalized, get ready for a race experience of a lifetime.

Deposit & Details

A $1,000 per person deposit gets you early access to our Tour De France itineraries. Once you are notified of the trip itineraries, an additional $1,000 deposit is required to hold your spot on a specific trip. Learn more about our Tour de France cancellation policy. 

• Choose Your Race Trip * Tour de France: General Tour de France: Etape du Tour Tour de France: Paris Viewing - Only Giro d’Italia Spring Classics Strade Bianche
• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Message to trip consultant
• Rider Level * Pick Your Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Non-Participant
• Get the Trek Travel Newsletter? Yes

By signing up for our eNewsletter, you agree to receive marketing materials from Trek Travel and its affiliate Trek Bicycles. Your data is stored in the United States. View our privacy policy .

By signing up for our eNewsletter, you agree to receive marketing materials from Trek Travel and its affiliate Trek Bicycles. Your data is stored in the United States. View our privacy policy.

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date? Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate luxury:.

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of Explorer and Luxury hotels. Rest assured, no matter which hotel level you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Road : 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Road : 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Road : 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Road : 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel:  4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - reserve:.

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discover:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Tour de France standings, results: Race outlook after Stage 1 winner

For the first time in its 111-year history, the 2024 Tour de France began in Italy. The Grand Départ saw the field of 176 riders across 22 teams make the 128-mile journey from Florence to Rimini in just over five hours.

Two Team dsm–firmenich PostNL riders took control after an early breakaway to win the opening stage. Frenchman Romain Bardet took first ahead of teammate Frank Van den Broek and both finished with a time of 5:07:22. Saturday's victory marked Bardet's fourth career Tour de France stage win and with it came his first career yellow jersey.

2024 Tour de France: Everything to know about this year's historic event

The peloton split into multiple groups, the first of which crossed the line at 5:07:27 led by Visma–Lease a Bike's Wout van Aert . Tour de France favorites and two-time winners Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard were in that group as well.

The final group of riders - including one of the greatest sprinters in Tour de France history, Mark Cavendish - crossed the line with a time of 5:46:34.

Here's how the classification looks after the opening stage:

Tour de France Stage 1 results

Tour de france standings, tour de france jersey standings.

• Yellow (general classification) : Romain Bardet
• Green (points classification) : Frank van den Broek
• Polka dot (mountains classification) : Jonas Abrahamsen
• White (young rider classification) : Frank van den Broek
• Yellow numbers (teams classification) : Team dsm–firmenich PostNL
• Golden numbers (combativity award) : Frank van den Broek

Tour de France Stage 2: How to watch, schedule, and distance

• Date: June 30, 2024
• Location: Ceseantico to Bologna (Italy)
• Distance: 123.8 miles (199.2 kilometers)
• Type: Hilly stage
• Streaming: Peacock , fuboTV

How to watch: Catch the 2024 Tour de France FREE on Fubo

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Written by: Spencer Powlison & Bruce Lin

Published on: Jun 18, 2024

Posted in: Features

Did you recently get bit by the  road bike  bug? Did you watch Tour de France: Unchained and feel hungry for more? Or have you always been puzzled by the daily deluge of Tour de France news? This guide is for you.

We’ll cover the fundamentals of how this “game” is played. Also, we’ll delve into cycling’s paradoxical balance between being simultaneously a team sport and an individual sport, and many ways riders and teams play to win. 

• How the Tour de France Works
• How To Win The Tour de France - the Yellow Jersey

Other Ways to "Win" at the Tour de France

How cycling is actually a team sport... sort of.

• What Types of Riders Make Up a Team?

What Types of Stages Are in the Tour?

Strategies and tactics, three tips to watch like a pro, more fun tour de france info.

[button] Shop Road Bikes [/button]

How The Tour de France Works

The tour de france: infographic.

What is the Tour de France?

• The Tour de France is the world's most prestigious bike race which has been running for over 100 years. 
• The Tour takes riders all across France, through the Alps and the Pyranees, and finishes in Paris. 
• This year it will take place: June 29 - July 21, 2024
• The total race distance this year: 3,492 Km / 2,170 Mi 
• The Grand Départ - The Tour de France often starts somewhere outside of France so other cities and countries can experience the excitement of the Tour. This year, the Tour will start in Florence, Italy. The first 3 stages will head north, back into France. 

Key Details 

• 22 pro cycling teams will compete with 8 riders each ( 176 riders total )
• The race is split into 21 stages
• Riders race 1 stage per day
• Each stage has a stage winner. Winning a single stage at the Tour is a big deal. 
• On average, racers will ride over 100 miles per stage .
• Riders will get 2 rest days , one after the first week, and another after the second week.  
• The overall winner of the Tour de France is the rider with the fastest time after all 21 stages . 

How To Win The Tour de France - the Yellow Jersey

The winner of the Tour de France is the rider who has the fastest time after all 21 stages. Every stage is timed from start to finish, and every second counts toward the race's General Classification (GC). Every day, the current leader of the race will wear the Yellow Jersey so they are easy to spot. The rider wearing the Yellow Jersey when the race reaches the last stage Paris is the winner . 

Yellow Jersey Favorites & Riders to Watch:

The big favorite this year is  2020 & 2021 winner Tadej Pogačar. He is on good form and his top rival,  2022 & 2023 winner Jonas Vingegaard , suffered a bad crash/injury this spring that affected his preparation. 

The two other main favorites this year are Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel .  Carlos Rodriguez is also looking very good, but has yet win or podium a 3 week Grand Tour. This could be his breakout year and he's my dark horse pick. 

Outside contenders include Jonas Vinegaard's teamates, Sepp Kuss  (edit: Sepp won't be going due to illness) and Matteo Jorgenson , and Tadej Pogačar 's teammates, Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates . They'll really only have a chance at Yellow if their team leaders struggle or drop out.  

[newsletter]

The Yellow Jersey is the biggest prize, but there are multiple secondary prizes on offer too. Some teams and riders don’t even bother racing for the Yellow Jersey and instead focus on these prizes . 

Just like the Yellow Jersey, the current leader in each classification wears a special jersey color so they're easy to spot.

Points Classification - the Green Jersey

Also known as the sprinter’s jersey , this award goes to the rider who scores the most points throughout the race. Points are earned by finishing in the top-15 in a stage.

This classification favors “pure” sprinters (riders who don't compete on mountain stages), and more points are offered for winning flat stages. Riders can also earn points in mid-stage "intermediate sprints" that are usually stationed in towns to please the fans.

Green Jersey Favorites & Riders to Watch:

Jasper Philipsen dominated the sprint stages last year and he is currently the fastest sprinter in the world. He's already taken some big wins this spring, showing that he's in great form. I wouldn't bet against Philipsen, but t he best-ranked sprinters behind him are Arnaud De Lie and Dylan Groenewegen .

Other contenders include all-rounders like Mads Pedersen , who could go for green by nabbing consistent finishes on hilly and mountain stages where pure sprinters might struggle and stealing points throughout the race in  intermediate sprints.  Wout van Aert  is similar, and he has also won green before (and 9 stages), but his form is unknown after a major crash/injury sidelined him this spring. 

One sprinter to watch is Mark Cavendish . He is currently tied with Eddy Merckx for the all-time Tour de France stage win record (34 wins) and is coming back for one last year to try and score a record-breaking 35th win. 

King of the Mountains Classification - the Polka-Dot Jersey

The Tour gives the Polka-Dot “ King of the Mountains ” Jersey to the rider who collects the most points over the course of the race by reaching the summit of categorized climbs first.

The climb categorization system is opaque and subjective. What you need to know is that there are five climb categories. From easiest to hardest they are: category 4,  category 3,  category 2,  category 1, and hors category (HC - French for “beyond categorization”). Riders get more points on harder climbs. Riders also get more points on mountaintop stage finishes, especially if they win.

Polka-Dot Jersey Favorites & Riders to Watch:

Giulio Ciccone beat Neilson Powless last year for the Polka-Dots. Photo: A.S.O./Pauline Ballet

This one is tough to call until you reach the high mountains. Because the Yellow Jersey winner tends to gain the most time on climbs, anyone who’s in contention for the Yellow Jersey is a good bet. I'd put my money on Tadej Pogacar .

However, some riders might specifically target the Polka-Dot Jersey — 2023 winner,  Giulio Ciccone,  battled over the Polka-Dots with Neilson Powless last year. Maybe they will go for it again. 

Other Prizes

Best Young Rider Classification - White Jersey

This classification works the same way as the Yellow Jersey but is awarded to the highest-placed rider under 26 years of age. On rare occasions, a phenomenal young rider will win both the Yellow and White Jerseys. 

White Jersey Favorites & Riders to Watch:

Tadej Pogačar . This is an easy pick. Tadej is still 25, and as the favorite for the  overall win, it's doubtful anyone else can challenge him. 

Time to pick a new favorite since Tadej is finally too old! (The rule is " cyclists who will remain below 26 in the year the race is held are eligible" and Tadej turns 26 in September.)  In that case, Remco Evenepoel , Carlos Rodriguez , and Juan Ayuso are likely candidates. 

If the White Jersey leader also happens to be the overall leader (This happened in previous years when Tadej was in Yellow), then the next highest placed rider under 26 will generally wear the jersey during the race (this is mainly ceremonial).

Best Team Classification - Yellow Helmets

Like the Yellow or White Jerseys, this award is given based on overall time in the race and the team with the lowest overall time wins this prize . Each team tabulates the finish times of its three best riders on every stage. The team leading this classification usually wears yellow helmets, helping them stand out in the bunch.

Teams don't necessarily target this, but if a team realizes they're leading in week two or three, they definitely fight to try and hang on to it. 

Most Aggressive Rider - Red Number

Also known as the Combativity Award , this is likely the most mysterious prize in the Tour. In every stage (except time trials), a jury decides which rider in the race was most aggressive — usually, that means attacking a lot or gambling on a breakaway. Late in the broadcast, the announcers usually note which rider was given the combativity prize. If you spot a rider with a red number on their jersey, then he was named most aggressive the stage prior. At the end of the Tour, one rider gets the Super Combativity award.

Why are there teams if only one rider can win the Tour de France? Professional road cycling has a curious tension between the team and the individual. The key thing to remember is this: If a cyclist wins a stage or holds one of the leader’s jersey for a single stage, it is viewed as a team success . 

So if only one rider “wins,” what do the other seven riders on the team do to contribute to this elusive concept of teamwork? Here are some ways a group of individual cyclists comes together as a team to support their leader:

• Getting into breakaways (small groups that attack off the front of the main group) — that way his team doesn’t have to work to chase the breakaway down.
• Chasing down breakaways — to give the leader a chance to win or place well.
• Retrieving food and water for the leader or other key riders — bottle service on the road … what could be more luxurious!
• Pacing the leader up key climbs — although drafting isn’t as crucial, it can be a psychological advantage to have a teammate at your side.
• Pacing the leader back to the peloton in the event of a crash, mechanical, or split in the group — without teammates to draft, it might be nearly impossible to rejoin the peloton on some fast-paced stages.
• Giving the leader their bike or a wheel in the event of a mechanical — this can often be quicker than waiting for a team car or neutral support to show up with a spare.

What Types of Riders Make Up a Team? 

GC (general classification) riders - These are the riders vying for the Tour de France overall win. They need to be solid all-rounders who are also good climbers and time trialists. They are usually the team leader and the rest of the team works to support them. 

Sprinters - Sprinters don’t contend for the overall win, and are more interested in winning individual stages. They often wait to attack at intermediate sprints and the finish line of each stage. Some teams are built entirely around a sprinter and focus on winning stages or the Green Jersey. 

Climbers - Climbing specialists excel at going uphill. Climbers compete for stage wins on the tough mountain stages or work to support their GC leader in the mountains. 

Domestiques - Most riders on the team will work as “domestiques” to support their team leader. They allow their leaders to draft behind them to conserve energy, pace them up climbs, cover attacks from competitors, keep them in a good position, bring them food and water, and provide support in case of crashes or mechanicals. Good domestiques are essential for success. 

Time Trialists - Some riders specialize in time trialing. They can compete for wins on time trial stages or work as powerful domestiques on flat and hilly stages.  

The Tour de France route is different every year. Each stage is unique and offers different challenges to the riders. Here are the types of stages riders will contend with over three weeks:

Flat Stages - Flat stages are the ideal hunting ground for sprinters. Teams with sprinters will often work to keep the peloton together on flat stages, to ensure it ends in a bunch sprint where their sprinter has the best chance of winning. 

Hilly Stages - Hilly stages mix it up with rolling hills that make it more difficult for the peloton to stay together. These types of stages can be won by sprinters, climbers, or breakaway specialists. 

Mountain Stages - This is often where the Tour de France is won and lost. Mountain stages climb up into the high mountains in the Alps and the Pyrenees and it's where GC contenders will fight to gain time on their rivals.  

Time Trials - The Tour de France always features at least a couple of time trial stages. Riders set off individually to set the fastest time on a set course. With no riders to draft, it’s less about race tactics and more about pure speed and power.

So we just covered some team dynamics, rider types, and stage types. How does it all fit together? Teams often settle on strategies prior to the race. They assess their strengths and weaknesses and find ways to succeed — whether that means winning the yellow jersey or simply wearing a King of the Mountains jersey for just one stage. Here are some examples of how teams might set their strategies, and how they might execute them with the right tactics:

Team with a top GC rider: Naturally, they’ll try to win the yellow jersey. This means surviving inconsequential flat and rolling stages to conserve energy for key mountain stages and individual time trials. The leader’s teammates will try to get into breakaways so that their team won’t spend energy chasing all day. They’ll also set up the team leader to attack on key climbs or at least follow his rivals to defend his position.

Team with top sprinter: To win the green jersey, they’ll target the flat stages. This means controlling the peloton and chasing down breakaways to set up a sprint finish. Like the GC team, they might also put a rider in the breakaway to ease the burden on the team, forcing rival sprint teams to chase. On mountain stages, the team might have to call riders back from the peloton to help pace their sprinter to the finish so he doesn’t get time-cut.

Team with top climber: Winning the King of the Mountains (KOM) classification is often less of an obvious team effort. These pretenders to the throne tend to be opportunistic. However, it is advantageous to have a teammate in the breakaway on a key mountain stage when points are up for grabs. Also, when defending the polka-dot jersey, teammates can contest the climbs and finish ahead of KOM rivals to spoil their attempt to take over the classification lead by scoring points.

Smaller team without top leader: These are the teams that always try to put a rider in the day’s breakaway. This could earn them the Combativity Prize, or if they play their cards right, a stint in a leader’s jersey or even a stage win. This strategy requires constant attacking in the early kilometers of the race — something most fans rarely see on the broadcast. It is a hectic, painful part of the stage, but it’s crucial in establishing a break. Meanwhile, a breakaway rider’s teammates might patrol the front of the peloton to disrupt the chase.

Now that you understand the basics of how the Tour de France is raced, what do you, the new cycling fan do? There are daily stages for three weeks. That’s a lot of cycling!

Even if you don't have a way to watch the TV broadcast, it's easy to find highlights and extended highlights on YouTube. Fortunately, you don’t have to put your life on hold to watch the Tour de France. There are some reliably important stages you can focus on to catch the key action.

Can’t watch daily? Pick the key mountain stages. There are usually about 5-8 key mountain stages when the overall race is won and lost. Most of them are summit finishes, and they’re split between France’s two key mountain ranges: the Alps and Pyrenees. The first few ordinarily come in stages 6-9 before the first rest day, and the second round is often scheduled for the final week of racing. Occasionally, another summit finish, such as Mont Ventoux in Provence, will be on the list of important stages.

Watching daily? Tune in when things really heat up. On most flat stages, you can wait until the final 20 kilometers to tune in and see the sprinters fight it out. Some rolling stages might be entertaining in the final 50-60 kilometers if late breakaways occur. On mountain stages, it’s best to start watching as early as possible because sometimes, crazy things happen on the day’s first climbs.

Watching a LOT of TDF? Look for the nuances. If you’re going to have the race on all day, every day, you’ll need to dig a little deeper to enjoy the subtleties of the race. Try keeping track of riders who are often making the breakaway. Watch the sprint teams work together — or not — to chase an escape. Who looks to have strength in numbers, and who is not present at the front of the race? Are the GC riders staying out of trouble or tail-gunning at the dangerous back of the peloton? Usually, at any given time in the race, any given rider is positioned where they are for a specific reason. Look for clues to sort out what is happening.

[button] The Stage-Winning Bikes from the 2023 Tour de France [/button]

[button] What Tour de France Racers Eat [/button]

[button] Guide to Netflix's Tour de France: Unchained [/button]

[button] The History of Innovative Tour de France Tech [/button]

[button] The Best Bikes of the Tour 2010-2019 [/button]

More Features

Features, Guides, MTB Jul 3, 2024

Race Tips from Leadville Trail 100 MTB Finishers

Features, Fun, Inside, Latest Jul 2, 2024

Tuesday Night Thunder 2024: Grassroots Crit Racing Is Back!

Bikes, Features, Latest, Tech, Vintage Jul 1, 2024

Winning the Tour de France by 8 Seconds: Greg LeMond's 1989 Bottecchia TT Bike

Bikes, Features, Fun, Latest, Road Jun 27, 2024

My Cervelo Soloist a.k.a. How I'll "Win" My Weekly Lunch Ride

Bikes, Features, Latest, Road Jun 24, 2024

The Fat Chance Slim Chance Road Bike Keeps '90s Style Alive

Features, Guides, Latest, Road Jun 18, 2024

Tour de France Explained: How You Win & How It Really Works

Features, Guides, MTB Jun 17, 2024

Specialized Stumpjumper by Year: How to Buy A Used Stumpjumper

Features, Latest, Opinion, Road, Tech Jun 14, 2024

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 vs. SRAM RED AXS: Our Uncensored Opinions

Bikes, Features, Fun, Latest, Road Jun 14, 2024

Specialized Tarmac SL7 Marbled Lagoon: Beautiful? Or Too Much?

Features, Fun, Latest Jun 13, 2024

Rollins Pass to Yankee Doodle Lake: Our Summer Solstice Swift Campout Ride

Features, Latest, MTB Jun 10, 2024

Racing The First-Ever Tour Divide with Mary Metcalf

Features, Latest, Learn, MTB Jun 10, 2024

Tread Setters: A Different (and Important) Take on the White Rim

New arrivals.

Certified Pre-Owned

Cannondale SuperSix EVO SE Gravel Bike - 2023, 51cm

Orbea Occam M30 Eagle Mountain Bike - 2021, Medium

Ibis Ripmo Mountain Bike - 2024, Medium

Spot Brand Mayhem 130 Mountain Bike - 2024, Medium

Trek Domane SL Road Bike - 2021, 60cm

Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper Mountain Bike - 2022 S5

A2 Bikes Road Phreak Road Bike - 2021, 47cm

Cervélo Caledonia-5 Road Bike - 2022, 51cm

Cervélo R5 Road Bike - 2015, 51cm

Specialized Epic EVO Carbon Comp Mountain Bike - 2021, Large

Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy Mountain Bike - 2022, S5

Specialized S-Works Epic Mountain Bike - 2021, Medium