How to Read the Guide

01

Race preview & map

The preview introduces the contenders and race context. Its summary row gives total distance, stage mix, and average speed. Expand it when you want the full story, or collapse it to get straight to the stages.

Tour facts · 2026 example

3 245 km Distance 43,89 km/h Winner's average 7 Flat 4 Hilly 8 Mountain 2 Time trial

Distance is the race-book total for all stages — announced figures, not a GPS trace, and it excludes rest-day transfers.

Winner's avg is that distance over the winner's total time, so it is a like-for-like measure of how fast an edition was ridden. On a future edition it is blank.

Flat, Hilly, Mountain, and Time Trial are the four counts that break the route down by terrain, using the same classification as the stage profiles below. They always sum to the number of stages, and their shape is the quickest read on an edition's character — a climbers' Tour, a sprinters' one, or a route decided against the clock.

The route map

Route map for the 2026 Tour de France — Example Tour route map — 2026

Each Tour has its own official route map, tracing the race across its host regions with every stage start, finish, and rest day. Beyond the route itself, the maps reflect the visual identity of each edition and help place the race in its time.

Use the map to understand where the race travels.
Follow the stage sequence and see how the route moves between regions.
Get a feel for the visual identity of each Tour through its official design.

02

Anatomy of a stage

Read each profile from left to right. Distance tracks the route while elevation shapes the yellow terrain beneath the race moments. Select a milestone flag or pulsing dot. Each marker opens a milestone card with the riders, points, gaps, media, and race context tied to that point on the road.

Gap Alpe d'Huez 127.9 km · Mountain stage · July 24, 2026

19

0 4,8 25,2 89,4 99,2 127,9 km

Scale. Every profile on the site is redrawn to one fixed scale — the same metres of climbing per pixel and the same kilometres per pixel, in every stage of every year. Official race-book profiles are not: each is stretched to fill its own box, so a rolling day can look like an alpine one. Because these are not, you can compare a 1952 stage with a 2026 stage by eye, and a flat day genuinely looks flat next to the mountains around it.

Stage types

FlatBuilt for the sprinters

HillyRolling, selective terrain

MountainMajor climbs and GC gaps

Time trialRiders race the clock

03

Milestone cards

Milestones turn a profile into a timeline. The flag tells you what happened; the card explains why it mattered.

Start

Stage conditions, starters, route character, and links to the day's profile, map, video, and report.

Gravel

A start-flag variant used when the stage route includes gravel sectors.

Cobblestones

A start-flag variant used when pavé sectors feature on the stage route.

Categorized climbs

Summit elevation, KOM points, the rider first over, and any race action on the ascent.

Intermediate sprint

Points on offer, sprint order, and the green-jersey story at that point in the race.

Race move

An attack, selection, or tactical turn that changes the stage or the overall race.

Last lead change

The moment a rider takes the overall lead for the final time and defends it through the end of the race.

Crash

A consequential incident that affects the result, classifications, or riders continuing in the race.

Bonus

Time bonuses available during the stage, separate from any bonuses awarded at the finish.

Finish

The finale, bonuses and points, stage podium, finishing gaps, and the yellow-jersey outcome.

Inside a milestone · 2026 Stage 19 start

Media tiles open stage highlights, full-size profiles, and route maps. The report link opens the complete written account.

A: LocationThe town, summit, or landmark where the milestone occurs.
B: Stage factsElevation, stage type, weather, temperature, and starters.
C: Race contextThe date and a concise introduction to the day's route and stakes.
D: WithdrawalsRiders who leave the race on that stage, with status and team.
E: Stage mediaHighlights, the official profile, and the route map.
F: Stage reportThe complete written account of how the stage unfolded.

04

Stage results & GC tables

The stage winner card identifies the day's winner and average speed. The GC table tracks how the three major classifications stand after that stage. An arrow marks a rider who moved up or down that day.

Stage Winner

Tadej Pogačar

UAE Team Emirates XRG

38,77 km/h


GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 19

Select a jersey. Switch the live classification table between overall time, points, and mountains.

Classification jerseys

Yellow jersey

General classification. The rider with the lowest cumulative time across the race.

Green jersey

Points classification. Earned through stage finishes and intermediate sprints.

Polka-dot jersey

Mountains classification. Awarded for points collected across categorized climbs.

Inside a milestone · 2026 Stage 19 finish

A: Finish locationThe place where the stage ends.
B: Finish rewardsElevation, time bonuses, sprint points, and mountains points available at the line.
C: Winning resultThe winner and the way the stage was won.
D: Race contextHow the finale unfolded and what changed.
E: Finish mediaFootage or photography from the decisive moment.
F: Stage placingsSelected finishers with their time or gap to the winner.

05

Tour winners & final results

The end of each edition brings the classification winners together with the final race standings.

Winners

General Classification

Tadej Pogačar

UAE Team Emirates XRG

73h 56' 26"

Points Classification

Mads Pedersen

Lidl-Trek

559 pts

Mountains Classification

Richard Carapaz

EF Education-EasyPost

156 pts

Final General Classification Official overall ranking of every rider

Final classification. Opens the complete official overall ranking for the edition, including every rider's finishing position, time or gap, and team. It also makes every listed rider searchable throughout the Guide. DSQ means disqualified, DNF means did not finish, DNS means did not start, and OTL means outside the time limit.

06

Navigation & shortcuts

Use the year controls and stage links with a pointer, or move quickly through the Guide from the keyboard.

← ↑ → ↓

Move between stage milestones.

Shift + ↑ ↓

Jump to the top or bottom of the page.

Shift + ← →

Go to the previous or next year.

G C

Go to the last lead change.

G H

Go home.

G L

Open the legend.

G R

Hide or show winners and results.

G P

Open the final classification.

G S

Open the shortcuts panel.

G F or ⌘K

Open search.

Esc

Close video, photo, and text viewers.

On a phone

Tap a profile to open the stage sheet; swipe left and right on the year header to change edition.

Saving a stage

Sign in, then select the small heart beside a stage number to add it to your saved list. Saved stages follow your account.

Sharing

Every stage has its own address, e.g. tdf.guide/2026/#stage-19.

07

Frequently asked

Quick answers about access, saved stages, and the historical archive.

Can I browse without an account?

Yes. The free editions can be explored without signing in. An account is only needed to save stages or access a paid subscription.

Why are some years locked?

TdF Guide offers a mix of free and paid content. The complete archive is available to subscribers, while selected editions remain free for everyone. We're committed to keeping the Guide ad-free, so subscriptions help cover the cost of building and maintaining the archive. We're also exploring partnerships that could bring additional benefits to subscribers.

How do I save a stage?

Sign in, then select the bookmark control beside a stage number. Saved stages are collected in your account's Likes page.

Why do older Tours contain less media?

Available footage, photography, and reporting varies by era. Each edition uses the strongest surviving sources available and the archive continues to expand.

Where can I see every milestone symbol?

Open the legend from the question-mark control at the top of a Tour, or press G then L.

08

Data & corrections

The Guide is assembled from historical race records, reporting, photography, and video. Some editions are still being completed.

Help improve the archive

Found something missing or incorrect?

Send the year, stage, and milestone along with as much detail as you can. Questions about the Guide or your account are welcome too.

Contact us

1	Tadej Pogačar UAE Team Emirates XRG	3h 17' 57"
2	Lenny Martinez Bahrain Victorious	+00' 06"
3	Richard Carapaz EF Education-EasyPost	+00' 09"
4	Sepp Kuss Team Visma \| Lease a Bike	+01' 14"
6	Remco Evenepoel Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe	+02' 29"
7	Isaac del Toro UAE Team Emirates XRG	+02' 41"
9	Paul Seixas Decathlon CMA CGM	+02' 45"
17	Juan Ayuso Lidl-Trek	+06' 26"

How to read the Guide

Race preview & map

Anatomy of a stage