Why are there rest days in the Tour de France?
A rest day in the Tour de France is a day without a stage, when the riders can recover. This day is very important, as the Tour de France participants are subjected to enormous physical strain every day. During the rest day, the riders can recover and replenish their energy reserves. They also have time to treat any injuries. The mechanics also get the racing bikes and equipment back into top condition. However, the bikes do not usually stand still. Most riders are out and about even on the rest day, going for at least a short ride to keep their circulation going and prepare for the next stage.
A rest day is not only good for the riders physically; it is also of great importance for their mental wellbeing, as it gives them time to prepare for the remaining stages and to relax. The rest day is also highly significant for the teams’ overall strategy, as it gives them the opportunity to adjust their tactics and draw up new plans. Rest days are an important part of the Tour de France and can play a key role in the riders’ success.
When are the rest days during the 2026 Tour de France?
This year, there are two rest days in the Tour de France: on 13 July and 20 July. The first rest day will be spent in the Cantal region, which is also where the 10th stage begins: Aurillac. Following the 15th stage, the second rest day of the 2026 Tour de France is scheduled, which the Tour peloton will spend in the Haute-Savoie region, near Lake Geneva. The individual time trial on 21 July will then run from Évian-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Thonon-les-Bains, also on the lake.
How many rest days are there in the Grand Tours?
Normally, the three major stage races – the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España – have two rest days. However, there are also occasions when there are three such days. This was the case in 2022, for example, as all three Grand Tours started abroad, requiring an extra rest day to move the peloton to Italy, France and Spain respectively. The Giro d’Italia started in Hungary in 2022, the Tour de France in Denmark and the Vuelta a España in the Netherlands.
Where do rest days take place?
Rest days are usually organised in a larger town with the necessary facilities, thus giving support staff and mechanics the opportunity to do their daily shopping or run other errands on their day off.
However, the rest day is not only important for the participants and organisers, but also for the villages and towns where the Tour de France stops. This gives the local authorities and towns the opportunity to showcase themselves and boost tourism. The rest day also offers fans and tourists a welcome break to recover from the stages and prepare for the events to come.
