For the first time in four years, the ‘Grand Depart’ will take place on French soil following recent launches in Denmark, Spain, and Italy. The opening stage of the 2025 Tour de France will see competitors embark on a 185km circular route around the city of Lille, before the action moves west towards the coastal city of Boulogne.
Throughout its 21 stages of flat, hilly, and mountainous terrains, the second Grand Tour of the 2025 season will take in 11 regions and 34 administrative departments, passing through 39 individual towns as a result. The entire race stretches out over a colossal 3,338.8km (2,074.6 miles) expanse, with riders having to navigate a cumulative elevation gain of 52,500m. The aforementioned arrival in Boulogne comes at the conclusion of the longest stage in the competition, which facilitates a 209.1km (129.9 miles) route across the northern tip of France. Arduous journeys across stretches of the Massif Central, Pyrenees, Alps, and Jura mountain ranges must be tackled, while the highest point of the race comes at the 2,304m-high Col de la Loze.
The full race will be exclusively conducted within French territory, and follow a loose circular route around the perimeter of the country. In a notable departure from tradition, the last stage will incorporate a hill climb to the picturesque Parisian district of Montmartre before ending in its regular location under the shadow of the Champs-Élysées. The route adjustment marks the 50th anniversary of the French capital’s iconic avenue being used to host the final stage of the race, and reflects the popular course taken by Olympic riders during the 2024 Paris Games.
Following considerable lobbying from Grand Tour organising duo ASO and RCS Sport, the UCI have authorised 23 teams to participate in this season’s Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España. This has resulted in a slight increase in participation numbers compared to previous years, with 184 competitors registered to race. However, all eyes will be on the so-called ‘Big Four’ of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primož Roglič.
The favourites
The bookmakers expect Tadej Pogačar to continue his hegemonic dominance of the event, having won 17 individual stages en route to four Tour de France titles. Pogačar has adorned the maillot jaune on an eye-watering 40 occasions, although this is less than half of Eddy Merckx’s record tally of 96 separate wears. Slovenian compatriot Primož Roglič is also in contention, but is yet to add a Tour de France triumph to his single Giro d'Italia crown and multiple Vuelta a España red jerseys. He has, however, won three individual stages on French soil, picking up victories in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Many are expecting Remco Evenepoel to make a major impact this season, after concluding last season’s race at the summit of the young driver classification and just a handful of hours behind the majestic Pogačar. The talented Belgian also attained two Olympic gold medals in 2024, blowing away his opponents in both the road race and time trial events.
However, Jonas Vingegaard undoubtedly presents the biggest threat to Pogačar’s empire. After winning back-to-back Tour de France titles in a blockbuster start to his professional career, the Danish ace was involved in a significant collision during last season’s Tour of the Basque Country. Despite breaking several bones and requiring surgery in the aftermath of the crash, Vingegaard was soon celebrating another milestone. Demonstrating his immense determination and resolve, the 2023 Vélo d'Or winner completed the gruelling 211km (131 miles) route between Évaux-les-Bains and Le Lioran in less than five hours to claim his fourth Tour de France stage triumph.
So, who will take possession of the yellow jersey this time around?
Tour de France 2025: Key information
Start date: Saturday, July 5th
Finish date: Sunday, July 27th
Location: Throughout France (2025 route does not stray into any other territories). Start: Lille, Finish: Paris
TV channel/Live stream: Free-to-air: ITV4/ITVX and S4C/S4C Clic
Subscription-only: TNT Sports and Discovery+ (also available on the TNT Sports and Discovery+ apps)
Where to watch the 2025 Tour de France on TV
Having agreed a bumper four-year broadcasting deal with the AOC and EBU, TNT Sports will become the exclusive home of the Tour de France from 2026. Every minute of this season’s Tour de France will also be shown on TNT Sports (and sister channel Discovery+), with subscribers able to watch all stages, extended highlights, and expert reaction via the TNT Sports (or Discovery+) app.
As a consequence of this development, ITV4 will no longer be able to screen live footage from the Tour de France following 24 years of annual coverage. Familiar commentary duo Ned Boulting and David Millar will once again narrate events on ITV4, while Welsh language speakers should tune into S4C. Viewers can also stream events at ITVX and S4C Clic, where a full re-run of the action will be available following the conclusion of each stage.
Tour de France 2025 odds
The top ten candidates to win this season’s Tour de France general classification are as follows:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia): 4/11 (bet365)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark): 5/2 (bet365)
3. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium): 9/1 (bet365)
4. João Almeida (Spain): 16/1 (bet365)
5. Primož Roglič (Slovenia): 25/1 (bet365)
6. Florian Lipowitz (Germany): 33/1 (bet365)
7. Matteo Jorgenson (USA): 50/1 (bet365)
8. Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark): 80/1 (bet365)
9. Simon Yates (Great Britain): 100/1 (bet365)
10. Felix Gall (Austria): 100/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.