The Tour de France 2026 is drawing to a close, but the suspense remains as the riders tackle the final 89 kilometres – a route that has been adapted due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the wildfires in France. Paris is waiting to crown its heroes on the Champs-Élysées, but riders will have to climb the Côte de la Butte Montmartre (1km at 6.5%) three times to reach the finish arch, situated 10.3 kilometres after the final of the 68 classified ascents in this 113th edition. Who will add their name to the roll of honour?
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates XRG) fell short last year (4th), and he relishes winning where he has been beaten in the past – something he has done this year by triumphing at Le Lioran and Alpe d’Huez. To take his revenge, and round off his fifth conquest of the Yellow Jersey in style, the Slovenian will have to overcome his runner-up, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). An Olympic champion in Paris in 2024, the Belgian has fond memories of Montmartre, although the race route was different back then. He has just demonstrated his strength and versatility over three weeks, right up to the highest peaks. The Parisian terrain should allow him to unleash his power.
The Prince of the Classics, Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), possesses all the qualities needed to make a difference at Montmartre, before unleashing his power on the Champs-Élysées. This would be his fourth victory in the Tour de France. Another highly versatile champion, Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla), is dreaming of doubling his tally following his victory in Belfort. Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos), meanwhile, is still in search of his first stage win. The Italian relishes routes like today’s. And what better stage than the Champs-Élysées to finally join the club of winners across all three Grand Tours, as well as breaking his team’s duck this year?
Jordi Meeus was the last sprinter to win in Paris in 2023, succeeding his compatriot Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) the previous year. A bunch sprint is certainly not the main scenario on the final circuit. But some fast riders have excellent explosive power and endurance to call upon to get involved in the battle with the Classics specialists. This is certainly true of Philipsen. And above all, the green jersey wearer Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). Having put in a heroic performance in the mountains to claim the green jersey, the Dane is determined to do justice to his jersey on the Champs-Élysées.
