Tour de Romandie 2026: The most important facts in brief
- Date: 28 April to 3 May, prologue and 5 stages
- Distance: ~ 852 kilometres
- Start: Villars-sur-Glâne, Target: Leysin
- Profile: one time trial, four hilly stages, one mountain stage with a mountain finish
- UCI Category: WorldTour
- Premiere: 1947, 79th edition
The Tour de Romandie is held every year at the end of April or beginning of May and is one of the most important preparatory races for the upcoming Grand Tours. The Swiss stage race traditionally demands a lot of metres in altitude from the pros and at the same time requires strong time trial skills. Although there is only one time trial on the programme this year, a short one as part of the prologue, every second can be decisive.
In sporting terms, the anticipation is great. With Tadej Pogačar, Florian Lipowitz and Oscar Onley, prominent names have been announced, all of whom will also be competing in the Tour de France. All the more reason to keep an eye on the form curve and the first standings in the battle against the clock and on the mountain. Away from the sport, however, the organiser faces a tricky task: this year there is no main sponsor. The advertising space on the yellow jersey is currently still unoccupied, an unusual and important point for the race, as the lead jersey is the most visible stage for partners and brands.
The stages of the Tour de Romandie
Five stages and a prologue. There are also significantly more kilometres to ride this year. This is also due to the omission of the second time trial, which will not play such a major role this year in view of the Tour de France. The increased distance should give the pros much more information about where they stand at this point in their preparation.
Prologue | Tuesday, 28 April | Villars-sur-Glâne - Villars-sur-Glâne | 3.2 kilometres (individual time trial) | 69 vertical metres
On the first day, the riders ride just 3.2 kilometres through Villars-sur-Glâne. However, this prologue is not meant for resting; the riders have to go full throttle right from the start. The first half of the course is slightly downhill, which changes in the second section. The last few metres are then flat until the finish. With 69 metres of altitude to climb on the short course, it is definitely not a flat time trial.
Stage 1 | Wednesday, 29 April | Martigny - Martigny | 171.2 kilometres | 1985 vertical metres
From Martigny, the peloton heads towards the first climb of the third category. La Rasse is crossed a total of three times before the real challenge of the day. The climb to Ovronnaz is really tough: 8.9 kilometres with an average gradient of 9.7 percent. This is followed by a rapid descent and an almost flat 21 kilometres back to Martigny. Time gaps between the favourites already emerge here on the first stage, it's straight down to business.
Stage 2 | Thursday, 30 April | Rue - Vucherens | 173.1 kilometres | 3104 vertical metres
From Rue, the course runs to Vucherens, from where a circuit is ridden three times. An undulating course without the really big hurdles awaits the peloton here. The Vuillens climb also has to be tackled three times on the category three circuit, but there should be no attacks from the favourites here.
Stage 3 | Friday, 1. May | Orbe - Orbe | 176.6 kilometres | 2409 vertical metres
The third section takes you around Orbe. Right at the start, after a short descent, the first climb of the day awaits. After Suchy, it starts at just over 2 kilometres with 6.5 percent. This is followed by a long up and down until the biggest challenge of the third stage awaits after another gentle climb. The route leads up the Col Mollendruz over 8.9 kilometres with a gradient of 6.2 per cent. The subsequent descent takes the riders almost all the way back to the finish in Orbe.
Stage 4 | Saturday, 2. May | Broc - Charmey | 149.6 kilometres | 3175 vertical metres
Today will be really tough. The fourth stage is far from flat. With constant ups and downs, you cross the Jaun Pass twice early in the race. First from the west, then shortly afterwards from the east over the pass. The first time at 6 kilometres and 8.2 percent, the second time at 7.6 kilometres and 8.6 percent. After this start, the route climbs up to Saanenmöser, a pass with a gradient of 6 kilometres and 4.5 per cent, before crossing the Jaun Pass again from the east. After a long day, this is where you decide who still has the legs for an attack. Because: from here it's downhill to the finish.
Stage 5 | Sunday, 3. May | Lucens - Leysin | 178.2 kilometres | 3524 vertical metres
At the end of the Tour de Romandie, there is a course with two third-category mountains that, although it has a lot of vertical metres, doesn't look too difficult up to that point. However, the finale of the stage and at the same time of the tour is a final, ultimate test of form. After Leysin, it's 13.9 kilometres and 6 per cent to the finish. Here, the winner of the Tour de Romandie is determined and can make his final preparations for the Tour de France with plenty of tailwind.
Leon Weidner
Working student
