Tour de France 2026 Stage 1 Preview: Expect Big Gaps

The 2026 Tour de France begins in Barcelona with a unique 19.6-kilometer team time trial that could create significant gaps between the race favorites before the mountains even begin.

We break down the course, the teams most likely to challenge for victory, the battle for the first yellow jersey, and the new rules that will shape how this opening stage is raced. With every second counting from the very first day, Stage 1 could have a major impact on the fight for the overall Tour de France title.