Tour de France 2025 Schedule, Stages, Route and Key Contenders
Quick Answer
The 112th Tour de France runs from July 5-27, 2025, starting in Lille and finishing in Paris. The race features 21 stages covering 3,320km with an epic battle expected between defending champion Tadej Pogačar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard.
- 5 summit finishes including Mont Ventoux and Col de la Loze (2,304m)
- 2 time trials (33km flat + 10.9km mountain)
- 7 flat stages for sprinters, 6 mountain stages, 4 hilly stages
The 112th Tour de France promises to be one of the most exciting editions in recent history. The 2025 route features one of the most challenging mountain profiles in over a decade, with five summit finishes that will test the physiological limits of even the world's best cyclists.
For the first time, the final stage in Paris includes the cobbled Montmartre climb, adding tactical intrigue to the traditional sprint finish on the Champs-Élysées. According to sports science expert Robert Wood, who has analyzed sports performance data for over 25 years, this innovation could make the final day genuinely competitive for the overall classification rather than purely ceremonial.
Tour de France 2025 Complete Schedule
2025 Tour de France Stage Breakdown
- 🟢 Flat/Sprint Stages (7): 250-300W sustained, 1200-1500W sprint power
- 🔴 Mountain Stages (6): 6.5-7.5 W/kg power-to-weight ratio required
- 🟡 Hilly Stages (4): Mixed terrain, tactical racing opportunities
- 🔵 Time Trial Stages (2): 420-480W sustained power output
- 🛌 Rest Days (2): 4,000+ calorie refueling and recovery
How Does the Tour de France Work
The Tour de France is the world's most prestigious cycling race, where riders compete across 21 stages over 23 days. The rider with the lowest cumulative time wins the race and the coveted yellow jersey.
Data compiled by Robert Wood, PhD, shows that Tour de France winners maintain an average power output of 350-400 watts for over 80 hours of racing, while sustaining optimal body composition with body fat percentages between 5-8%.
The Four Main Jerseys
- 🟡 Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune): General classification leader with the lowest total time across all stages
- 🟢 Green Jersey (Maillot Vert): Points classification leader, typically won by sprinters who accumulate points at stage finishes and intermediate sprints
- 🔴 Polka Dot Jersey (Maillot à Pois): Mountains classification leader, also known as King of the Mountains, awarded for reaching mountain summits first
- ⚪ White Jersey (Maillot Blanc): Best young rider under 26 years old in the general classification
Learn more about the jerseys of the Tour de France and their history.
Tour de France 2025 Key Contenders
General Classification Favorites
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)
Defending champion and pre-race favorite. The 27-year-old Slovenian has won four Tours de France in 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Pogačar excels in all terrain types, combining exceptional climbing ability with strong time trial performance.
Key Strengths: All-round ability, explosive climbing, excellent time trialing
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Two-time winner seeking to reclaim his crown. The Danish climber won in 2022 and 2023, defeating Pogačar on both occasions. Vingegaard is strongest in the high mountains and benefits from the strongest support team in professional cycling. His power-to-weight ratio in sustained climbs is exceptional, often exceeding 6.8 W/kg.
Key Strengths: Elite climbing, tactical racing, team support
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep)
Rising star seeking his first Tour victory. The 25-year-old Belgian finished third in his 2024 Tour debut and brings world-class time trialing to complement improving climbing ability. Evenepoel's development trajectory suggests he's entering his peak years for Grand Tour racing.
Key Strengths: Outstanding time trialing, improving climbing, young and developing
Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe)
Three-time Vuelta winner seeking Tour success. The 35-year-old Slovenian has never won the Tour de France despite multiple top-five finishes. His experience and consistency make him a dangerous outsider, particularly on mountain stages.
Key Strengths: Experience, consistency, strong time trialing
Sprint Specialists
The flat stages will feature intense battles among the world's fastest sprinters:
- Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): Multiple Tour stage winner and current leading sprinter
- Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty): First Black African Tour stage winner, explosive sprint
- Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan): Record holder with 35 Tour stage wins, potentially his final Tour
Key Stages to Watch in Tour de France 2025
Queen Mountain Stages
Stage 12 - Auch to Hautacam (July 17): The first major mountain test with summit finish. Early mountain stages often set the psychological tone for the remainder of the race.
Stage 16 - Montpellier to Mont Ventoux (July 22): The "Giant of Provence" returns with its notorious 1,912m summit. According to sports science experts Mont Ventoux's exposed landscape and extreme gradients create unique physiological challenges, with riders often experiencing significant thermal stress.
Stage 18 - Vif to Courchevel Col de la Loze (July 24): The highest finish at 2,304m elevation. This could be the race-deciding stage, with gradients reaching 24% in places. Elite climbers will need to sustain 6.5-7.5 W/kg for extended periods at altitude.
Stage 19 - Albertville to La Plagne (July 25): Final mountain stage and likely GC decider. At just 129.9km, this short but intense stage will see all-out attacks from riders needing to make up time.
Critical Time Trials
Stage 5 - Caen Individual Time Trial (July 9): The first major GC test on flat terrain covering 33km. Time trial specialists can gain or lose significant time here, with differences of 1-2 minutes common between climbers and pure time trialists.
Stage 13 - Loudenvielle to Peyragudes (July 18): Mountain time trial of 10.9km that could decide the race. Data compiled by some sports experts shows that mountain time trials require sustained power outputs of 450-500 watts while maintaining optimal pacing strategy.
Tour de France 2025 Sports Science Analysis
Physiological Demands by Stage Type
Flat Stages (7 stages)
- Primary Energy System: Aerobic (85-90%) with anaerobic bursts for sprints
- Average Power Output: 250-300W sustained, 1200-1500W peak sprint
- Heart Rate: 75-85% max during racing, 95%+ in final sprint
- VO2 Demands: 60-70 ml/kg/min sustained
Mountain Stages (6 stages)
- Primary Energy System: Aerobic threshold (90-95%)
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 6.5-7.5 W/kg for elite climbers on key ascents
- Sustained Climbing: 400-450W for 30-60 minutes on major climbs
- Body Composition: Under 65kg optimal for pure climbing specialists
Time Trial Stages (2 stages)
- Power Output: 420-480W sustained for 45-60 minutes
- Aerodynamics: Critical factor, optimal position can save 30-60 seconds
- Lactate Threshold: Maintained at 85-95% throughout effort
Tour de France Nutrition and Performance
Daily Nutritional Demands
- Energy Expenditure: 4,000-8,000 calories per stage depending on terrain
- Carbohydrate Needs: 8-12g per kg body weight daily (500-800g for 60-70kg rider)
- Protein Requirements: 1.6-2.2g per kg for optimal recovery and muscle repair
- Hydration: 600-1000ml per hour during racing, adjusted for temperature
Recovery Between Stages
- Sleep: 9-10 hours minimum for physiological adaptation and repair
- Protein Window: 25-30g within 30 minutes post-stage for muscle protein synthesis
- Carb Replenishment: 1.5g per kg within 2 hours post-stage to restore glycogen
- Active Recovery: 30-60 minutes easy spinning to promote blood flow and lactate clearance
Fitness Testing for Aspiring Cyclists
Professional Tour de France riders undergo extensive physiological testing to optimize their training and performance. Systematic fitness testing can improve cycling performance by 8-12% over a training season.
Essential Tests for Cycling Performance
Aerobic Capacity
VO2 Max Testing measures maximum oxygen uptake. Elite Tour riders achieve 70-85 ml/kg/min, compared to 35-45 ml/kg/min for average adults.
Learn More →Power Testing
Functional Threshold Power (FTP) determines sustainable power output. Elite riders maintain 400-450W for one hour.
Power Assessment →Body Composition
BMI Calculator and body fat testing. Tour riders average 20-22 BMI with 5-10% body fat.
Calculate BMI →Cycling Training Zones
Tour de France riders train across multiple heart rate zones to develop different energy systems. Use our Heart Rate Training Zone Calculator to determine your optimal training intensities based on the Karvonen formula.
Heart Rate Training Zones for Cyclists
- Zone 1 (Recovery): 60-70% max HR - Active recovery rides, promotes blood flow
- Zone 2 (Aerobic Base): 70-80% max HR - Foundation training, fat oxidation
- Zone 3 (Tempo): 80-85% max HR - Sustained moderate efforts
- Zone 4 (Threshold): 85-95% max HR - Race pace efforts, lactate threshold
- Zone 5 (VO2 Max): 95-100% max HR - Maximum intensity intervals
Learn more about components of physical fitness and evidence-based training methods.
How to Watch Tour de France 2025
Television and Streaming by Country
🇺🇸 United States
TV: NBC Sports, USA Network
Streaming: Peacock TV, NBC Sports App
Coverage: Live stages plus highlights
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
TV: ITV4 (Free-to-air)
Streaming: Discovery+, Eurosport
Coverage: Full live coverage
🇦🇺 Australia
TV: SBS (Free-to-air)
Streaming: SBS On Demand, Stan Sport
Coverage: Live stages plus extended highlights
🇨🇦 Canada
TV: Sportsnet
Streaming: FloBikes
Coverage: Live coverage with French and English commentary
⏰ Race Times
Stage Start: Most stages begin 12:00-13:30 CET
Stage Finish: Most stages finish 16:00-17:30 CET
Mountain Stages: Earlier starts (11:00-12:00 CET) for longer stages
Convert to your local time zone for accurate viewing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Tour de France 2025?
The Tour de France 2025 runs from July 5 to July 27, 2025. The race starts in Lille and finishes in Paris on the Champs-Élysées, covering 21 stages over 23 days including two rest days.
Who are the favorites to win Tour de France 2025?
The main favorites are Tadej Pogačar (defending champion), Jonas Vingegaard (two-time winner), and Remco Evenepoel (2024 third place). Pogačar is the pre-race favorite due to his versatility across all terrain types.
How many stages are in Tour de France 2025?
Tour de France 2025 has 21 stages over 23 days, including 2 rest days. The race covers approximately 3,320 kilometers with 7 flat stages, 6 mountain stages, 4 hilly stages, and 2 time trials.
How to watch Tour de France 2025?
You can watch on NBC/Peacock in the USA, ITV4/Discovery+ in the UK, SBS in Australia, and Sportsnet in Canada. Most stages run from 12:00-17:30 CET. Check your local broadcaster for specific coverage details.
What fitness level do Tour de France riders have?
Tour de France riders have exceptional fitness with VO2 max of 70-85 ml/kg/min, body fat of 5-10%, and power-to-weight ratios of 6.5-7.5 W/kg. Test your own fitness with our VO2 max assessment tools.
How much do Tour de France riders eat?
Tour riders consume 4,000-8,000 calories per stage and 200-300g carbohydrates per hour during racing. Daily protein intake reaches 1.6-2.2g per kg body weight to support recovery and maintain muscle mass during the three-week race.
What is the hardest stage in Tour de France 2025?
Stage 18 to Col de la Loze (2,304m) is the hardest stage, featuring the highest finish altitude with gradients reaching 24%. Stage 16 to Mont Ventoux and Stage 19 to La Plagne are also extremely challenging mountain stages that will decide the overall classification.
References
- Atkinson, G., Davison, R., Jeukendrup, A., & Passfield, L. (2003). "Science and cycling: current knowledge and future directions for research." Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(9), 767-787.
- Jeukendrup, A. E., Craig, N. P., & Hawley, J. A. (2000). "The bioenergetics of world class cycling." Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 3(4), 414-433.
- Lucia, A., Hoyos, J., & Chicharro, J. L. (2001). "Physiology of professional road cycling." Sports Medicine, 31(5), 325-337.
- Mujika, I., & Padilla, S. (2001). "Physiological and performance characteristics of male professional road cyclists." Sports Medicine, 31(7), 479-487.
- Official Tour de France. (2025). "2025 Tour de France Route and Schedule." Retrieved from https://www.letour.fr/en/
- Padilla, S., Mujika, I., Cuesta, G., & Goiriena, J. J. (1999). "Level ground and uphill cycling ability in professional road cycling." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(6), 878-885.
- Vogt, S., Heinrich, L., Schumacher, Y. O., Blum, A., Roecker, K., Dickhuth, H. H., & Schmid, A. (2007). "Power output during stage racing in professional road cycling." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(6), 991-995.
Related Pages
Tour de France Winners
Complete historical list of Tour de France winners from 1903 to present, including statistics and records.
Learn More →VO2 Max Testing
Essential aerobic capacity testing for cycling performance. Learn how elite Tour riders achieve 70-85 ml/kg/min.
Learn More →Heart Rate Training Zones
Calculate your cycling training zones using the Karvonen formula for optimal endurance development.
Learn More →Sports Nutrition Guide
Comprehensive nutrition strategies for endurance athletes, including fueling and recovery protocols.
Learn More →Tour de France History
Explore the rich history of cycling's most prestigious race from its inception in 1903.
Learn More →BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index and compare to elite cyclist standards (Tour riders average 20-22 BMI).
Learn More →
