THE 113TH EDITION OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE
CONTENTS
POINT OF VIEW
13 The editor lobbies for more to be done to keep cyclists safe on local roads
162 The road ahead How do we get more South African talent onto the sport’ s grandest stages?
THE 113TH EDITION OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE
14 Tadej Pogačar: Title # 5 for the dominant world champion?
18 Ben Healy: The impish Irish rider who was Super Combatif in 2025
20 10 Tour favourites: Who could stand on the podium beside Pogi?
24 Pinarello Q36.5: The meteoric rise of Tom Pidcock’ s squad
28 The young pretenders: Four riders hungry for Tour glory
52 Roll of honour: Past winners of the GC & other classifications
64 Tour director’ s overview: Christian Prudhomme looks forward to explosive action
67 The map: The 3 333km route from Barcelona to Paris
68 Barcelona: Exciting opening stages finish on Montjuïc Hill
70 Team Time Trial: Back on the menu with an interesting twist
72 The Pyrenees: A new finish in the stunning Cirque de Gavarnie
74 The Corrèze: The Suc au May leaves no room for weakness
75 The Cantal: The Puy Mary and more unrelenting climbs
76 The Alps: The Plateau de Solaison makes a grand debut
78 Lake Geneva: Key time trial action between scenic resorts
80 Alpe d’ Huez: Back-to-back finishes and a tricky new pass
82 Champion colours: All the prizes and jerseys on offer
84 L’ Étapes du Tour: Queen stages feature on two amateur events
87 The 21 stages: Route director Thierry Gouvenou shares his analysis of a Tour of high places
119 The 23 teams: Former French pro Romain Bardet gives his take on who’ s who in the peloton
TOUR RETROSPECTIVE
48 1926: The gruelling distances and Evian start of the 20th edition
50 1956: Roger Walkowiak pulled off an astonishing, tactical win
51 1976: Raymond Poulidor sealed his eighth podium finish
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