Pogacar seeks its fifth title in a historic departure from Barcelona

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July 3, 2026July 3, 2026By Mario Vásquez
Pogacar seeks its fifth title in a historic departure from Barcelona

He Tour de France 2026 joins the soccer world cup with a 113th edition what starts this Saturday July 4th in Barcelona, ​​Spainand ends the July 26 in Parisafter 21 stages. An unprecedented departure since Catalonia which may be the origin of a historical fact: the great favorite, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacaraims to achieve a fifth title that would join him in the list of honors with Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain.

The Barcelona Citywhich has already received the Tour in 2013will launch the “Big Boucle” After the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV and the premiere of the reform of the Holy Family. Barcelona and the Tour They will make a “good tandem”, as reflected in the posters that adorn the bright streets of the city.

Strong emotions after a spectacular equipment presentation for the considered third world sporting eventafter the soccer world cup and the Olympics.

With Pogacar as undisputed favorite and Jonas Vingegaard, Paul Seixas and Juan Ayuso As alternatives, the Tour 2026 will have a tour of 3,334 kilometerswith 54,540 meters of accumulated unevennesstwo time trialsone individual and another initial for teams, a lot of mountains distributed in the five french massifswith five high finishes and the Alpe d’Huez as a judge in two consecutive stages.

Pogacar-Vingegaard, the great duel is recovered

Nobody doubts the favorite status of Tadej Pogacar (Klanec, 27 years). In 16 days of competition in 2026 it takes 13 winsand your goal is to get on the list of legends. The entire season is focused so that double world champion achieve the fifth yellow jersey in Paris.

His great rival will be the Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Visma), winner of the Return 2025 and the recent Turn. The Nordic, who defeated Pogacar in the Tour of 2022 and 2023claims to be at the level of those years once the serious consequences of the fall in the economy have been overcome. Itzulia 2024.

So much Pogacar as Vingegaard They arrive with their best equipment for the three weeks of competition. The Slovenian is supported, among others, by the Mexican Isaac del Torowinner of Auvergne Tourand in Danish a training designed for the mountains, with Sepp Kuss and Matteo Jorgenson.

Seixas, the illusion of all of France

The French Paul Seixas (19 years) is the great feeling of the season. The leader of Decathlon feeds the dream of an entire country, which is looking for a successor to Bernard Hinaultlast French winner of the Tour in 1985.

He Tour It was not in the initial plans of Seixasbut its exhibition in the Itzulia convinced the Decathlon to give him the opportunity Barcelona. The great unknown will be its physical response from the second week.

Luxury list among sprinters

The sprinters they will have seven opportunities to fight for victory and the best specialists will be present. Highlights the duel between Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen and Mads Pedersenalthough they will also be Olav Kooij, Arnaud De Lie, Biniam Girmay, Michael Matthews, Maxim Van Gils, Matteo Trentin, Milan Fretin and Fernando Gaviria.

Team time trial, Galibier the roof and Alpe d’Huez the judge

The mountain will decide a Tour de France demanding that will cross the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, Jura and Alps. Although the third week will be decisive, from Montjuicscenario of the first two stages, the first differences could appear.

First stage

He Tour will start with a team time trial of 19 kilometersfollowed by a second broken stage ending in Montjuic. Barely 48 hours Afterwards will come the first big test for the general classification with the arrival at the top of Les Anglesin the French Pyrenees.

During the first week, the stage ending in Foixwith four portsand especially the sixth day with arrival at Gavarnie-Gèdrewhich will include the historical Tourmaletin addition to new promotions such as Col de la Griffoul, Col du Page, Col du Haag, Plateau de Solaison and Sarenne cabbage.

After the stages for sprinters in Bordeaux and Bergeracwill arrive first day of rest before Central Massif. The stage of Le Lioranhe July 14coinciding with the National Holiday of Francepresents seven ports and ideal terrain for attacks.

Before the second day of rest the days of the Alsace Ball and the stage between Mulhouse and Le Marksteinwith five ports and the demanding Haag Wall as the main difficulty.

The clock and double portion of Alpe d’Huez in the third week

The only one individual time trial will be the stage 16between Evian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bainsabout 26 kilometers. Although it will not be too extensive, it could be decisive in the fight for yellow jersey.

In the final stretch, with three high finishesthe Alps They will decide the champion. Last Friday will conclude in the mythical Alpe d’Huezafter ascending his famous 21 horseshoe curves.

He Saturday July 25before reaching Paristhe runners will face the Croix de Ferhe Telegraph and the Galibiercareer ceiling with 2,642 meters altitude. The day will conclude again in Alpe d’Huezafter also surpassing the Sarenne cabbagein the considered queen stage.

Finally, Paris will receive the platoon July 26 with the circuit that includes the climb to Montmartrewhere last year Wout van Aert surpassed Pogacar to keep the victory. The Champs Elysées will crown the champion of the Tour de France 2026.

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