Stage 1: Lille → Lille ( flat)
Prediction: Jasper Philipsen
The Tour opens with a fast, urban circuit. Expect a nervous peloton, crashes, and a bunch sprint finish. Philipsen is the favorite, but Arnaud De Lie and Sam Bennett will challenge.
GC Impact: Minimal, but the yellow jersey goes to a sprinter for a day.
Stage 2: Lille → Boulogne-sur-Mer (hilly, coastal)
Prediction: Wout van Aert or Matej Mohorič
This is a tricky, undulating stage with short climbs along the Opal Coast. Ideal for breakaway artists and one-day specialists. The final 20 km are ripe for a solo attack.
GC Impact: Possibly small time gaps for GC riders caught behind.
Stage 3: Valenciennes – Dunkirk (Flat)
Prediction: Mads Pedersen or Arnaud De Lie
Flat on paper but exposed to crosswinds through open farmland. Teams like Visma and Ineos may try to split the race. Could be a chaotic day if echelons form.
GC Impact: Big risk day for anyone not paying attention.
Stage 4: Amiens → Rouen (160 km, Technical)
Prediction: Mathieu van der Poel
Classic-style route with narrow roads, short cobbled sectors, and rolling terrain. Strong puncheurs like Van der Poel and Sagan (if racing) will target this.
Expect a reduced sprint or late solo attack.
GC Impact: Risky roads, not for the faint of heart.
Stage 5: Caen → Caen (33 km, Individual Time Trial)
Prediction: Remco Evenepoel
A flat but breezy TT where pure power reigns. Evenepoel should dominate, while Pogacar, Roglič, and Almeida fight to stay close. A big day for reshuffling GC.
GC Impact: First major gaps between GC riders.
Stage 6: Bayeux → Vire Normandie (201.5 km, Hilly)
Prediction: Simon Yates or Tom Pidcock
This stage is a sleeper hit: narrow climbs in “Norman Switzerland” and a short, steep finish in Vire. Perfect for aggressive riders or a surprise GC ambush.
GC Impact: Could see late gaps or bonus seconds change hands.
Stage 7: Saint-Malo → Mûr-de-Bretagne (197 km, Uphill Finish)
Prediction: Tadej Pogacar
The Mûr-de-Bretagne returns! A double ascent of this wall-like climb will trigger attacks. Pogacar likely pounces for bonus seconds. Evenepoel and Vingegaard must follow closely.
GC Impact: Pogacar might take yellow here.
Stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand → Laval (171 km, Flat)
Prediction: Jasper Philipsen
A pure sprint day. Most teams will rest their GC riders and protect their lead-outs. De Lie and Kooij could contend, but Alpecin will control this one.
GC Impact: Status quo
Stage 9: Chinon → Châteauroux (174 km, Flat)
Prediction: Arnaud De Lie
Another sprinter’s day, but De Lie has the form and power to beat Philipsen on the right day. Slight crosswind threats early, but otherwise predictable.
GC Impact: None, barring crashes.
Stage 10: Ennezat → Le Mont-Dore (Puy de Sancy, 165 km, Mountain)
Prediction: Tadej Pogacar
The Tour’s first high-altitude showdown ends atop Puy de Sancy. Expect UAE to attack early, setting up Pogacar for a brutal final 3 km assault. Almeida might shine too.
GC Impact: Big. We’ll see who the real podium contenders are.