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2026 Tour de France Women Unveils Swiss Grand Départ,Return of Time Trial,and Historic Mont Ventoux stage
The 2026 Tour de France Women will begin with a Grand Départ in Switzerland,marking the first time the race has started outside of France,organizers announced. The route also features the return of an individual time trial and a challenging stage culminating in an ascent of mont Ventoux – a first for the women’s edition.
The 2026 race promises a demanding course for riders, with key stages designed to test climbers, time trial specialists, and overall contenders. This edition builds on the growing momentum of the women’s Tour de France,aiming to further elevate the sport and provide a platform for showcasing elite female cyclists. the route, announced October 22, 2025, sets the stage for a thrilling competition and potential shifts in the landscape of women’s professional cycling.
The race will feature a 21-kilometer individual time trial in Burgundy, between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon, on the 4th stage.This marks the return of the time trial after its absence in the 2025 edition, and a change from its placement in the final stage of 2023 and the second day of racing in 2024. The course includes a climb and the Marsannay bends (1.8 km at 6.9%). Specialists like Swiss rider Marlen Reusser and reigning time trial champion Demi Vollering are expected to contend for the win.
A pivotal stage will see the peloton tackle Mont Ventoux at the end of the 7th stage, offering a significant chance for climbers and overall favorites to gain an advantage. Following Ventoux, the race will head towards Nice, with an arrival in the city on the evening of the 8th stage, followed by a challenging circuit around Nice the next day featuring four ascents of the Col d’Eze (7.7 km at 5.9%). The final arrival in Nice will be on the Promenade des Anglais.
