Jens Voigt on the 2026 Tour de France: "It’s going to be the best Tour EVER!"

Jens Voigt can hardly wait. The Eurosport pundit expects some top-class battles at the 2026 Tour de France. "I’m telling you: this year’s Tour will be the very best ever! In capital letters: EVER!", Voigt declared on the "Jan Ullrich Ultras" podcast. The former professional’s anticipation for the race, which runs from 4 to 26 July, is palpable.

Favourites in top form

The current situation has Voigt feeling optimistic. All the top favourites are fit and in top form. "The Tour is hugely important for everyone. I can hardly wait," said the 54-year-old. Top favourite Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates has already won the Tour four times – in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. His long-standing rival Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike triumphed in 2022 and 2023.

Following his Giro victory, Vingegaard heads to France full of confidence. The Dane secured the Maglia Rosa, sending a strong signal. Pogacar has skipped the Giro and is focusing on the Tour de Suisse from 17 to 21 June as part of his preparation.

Different ways of preparing

The riders are taking different routes to peak condition. French rising star Paul Seixas is competing in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. According to Voigt, the 19-year-old “had a tough spring, then took a break and sort of rebuilt his form, and is now riding the Dauphiné”. The three mountain finishes in the tour will show where the teenager stands.

Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe is using the Tour of Slovenia, which takes place from 17 to 21 June, as a final fitness test. The German finished third overall on his Tour debut in 2025. “The smaller, easier, shorter Tour of Slovenia – just as a final fitness test,” said Voigt, describing the strategy. Remco Evenepoel is skipping all warm-up races altogether. “And everyone will then meet up at the Tour,” the Eurosport expert summarised his expectations for the 2026 Tour in the podcast.