New timing format to be used, first introduced in 2023 Paris-Nice
For the first time in its history, the Tour de France will kick off with a team time trial in Barcelona, Spain, as part of the 2026 Grand Départ.
Organizers ASO confirmed details of the Spanish start on Tuesday, announcing that the opening 19.7-kilometer stage will adopt the timing rules initially introduced at the 2023 Paris-Nice. Unlike traditional team time trials, where riders receive the time of the fourth finisher in their group, each rider in Barcelona will be awarded an individual time. This could lead to early general classification (GC) battles from day one.
The revised format will allow top contenders like Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar to push ahead of their teammates and potentially gain an advantage. Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease a Bike squad secured victory under these rules at Paris-Nice in 2023, with UAE Team Emirates following suit the next year.
Barcelona last hosted the start of a Grand Tour in 2023 when La Vuelta a España opened with a traditional team time trial. This time, the Tour’s opening stage will conclude near the city’s Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc hill.
The first three stages will take place in Spain. Following the Barcelona opener, stage two will start in Tarragona, marking the southernmost point ever visited by the Tour. The stage will feature a challenging finishing circuit in Barcelona’s streets. Stage three will commence in Granollers, though its final destination remains unannounced.
Race director Thierry Gouvenou hinted at an action-packed second stage, emphasizing the technical challenges for riders and excitement for spectators. "There are many roads in this area, allowing for multiple circuit options," he explained. "We believe we’ve created the most demanding route possible."
The 2026 Tour de France promises a thrilling start in Spain, with an innovative time trial format and demanding early stages setting the tone for the race ahead. Photo by Kittypics, Wikimedia commons.