Tour de France Femmes 2026 Unveils Record Route Featuring Mont Ventoux
Organizers announced the 2026 Tour de France Femmes will run from August 1 to August 9, covering a record 1,175 kilometers with 18,795 meters of elevation gain. The upcoming fifth edition introduces historic challenges, including a debut ascent of Mont Ventoux on Stage 7, drawing top cycling contenders from around the globe to the demanding multi-stage event.
Key points
- The fifth edition of the Tour de France Femmes is scheduled to take place from Saturday, August 1, to Sunday, August 9, 2026.
- The race route spans a record 1,175 kilometers and includes an unprecedented 18,795 meters of total elevation gain.
- The competition features nine stages in total: three flat, three hilly, two mountain stages, and one individual time trial.
- Stage 7 serves as the Queen Stage, marking the first time the race tackles Mont Ventoux, known as the Beast of Provence.
- Top cycling contenders including reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Demi Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma, Anna van der Breggen, and Paula Blasi are expected to compete.
The fifth edition of the Tour de France Femmes has been officially scheduled for August 1 through August 9, 2026. Hailed as the most demanding iteration of the race yet, the upcoming event features a total distance of 1,175 kilometers and a record-breaking 18,795 meters of elevation gain across its route.
Athletes will face a grueling lineup consisting of three flat stages, three hilly stages, two mountain stages, and an individual time trial during Stage 4. The defining moment of the competition is widely expected to occur during Stage 7, the Queen Stage, which features a historic first-ever ascent up Mont Ventoux. The legendary climb averages an 8.8% gradient over 15.7 kilometers, with the final stretch testing riders at 9.4%.
Anticipation is high for the international sporting event, with elite cyclists shaping up as early favorites. Reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and 2023 winner Demi Vollering lead the projected field, alongside 2024 winner Kasia Niewiadoma, veteran contender Anna van der Breggen, and rising talent Paula Blasi. Both Vollering and Niewiadoma have secured podium finishes in every previous edition of the race, adding intense competitive pressure to the 2026 showdown.
Sources
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