Tour de France 2026: Preview of Stage 20: It doesn’t get any more ‘Queen Stage’ than this

​Key information on Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France

• Saturday 25 July: Le Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez
• 170.9 kilometres, 5,450 metres of elevation gain (mountain finish)
• Mountain climbs: KM 33.7 (HC), KM 87.6 (1st category), KM 110.5 (HC), 156.5 (HC)
• Intermediate sprint: 66.5 km
• Start: 11.20 am, Finish: approx. 4.11 pm
• Live updates and results

The route of the 20th stage of the Tour de France

What sort of stage has A.S.O. set the riders on the penultimate day of the Tour? 171 kilometres, 5,450 metres of climbing, three hors catégorie climbs – it has been a long time since there was a stage in the Tour more deserving of the title ‘Queen Stage’. And yet it could all be so simple. After all, the day begins in Le Bourg d’Oisans and ends – just like the day before – at Alpe d’Huez. But instead of simply tackling the legendary 21 hairpin bends, as was the case in a mountain time trial back in 2004, the route takes a different course.

The route initially heads north through the Romanche Valley, passing through Allemond and past Lac de Verney. The route is clear: it goes over the Col du Glandon to the Col de la Croix de Fer (HC). That means 24 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.2 per cent. Once at the top, it’s straight back down again – to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Shortly afterwards comes the intermediate sprint, then the route continues to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne. There, the climb to the Col du Télégraphe (Category 1) begins, which is extended upwards to the ‘roof of the Tour’, the Col du Galibier (HC).

A 30-kilometre climb, interrupted only by a short descent, is required to claim the Henri Desgrange souvenir at 2,642 metres above sea level. However, only the first rider to reach the summit of the Galibier will receive it. Anyone who wants to complete the Tour has to get over it. And back down again, too. The route descends via the Col du Lautaret to Mizoen at an altitude of 1,136 metres, before yet another challenge awaits. And this one is brand new.

For the first time in the history of the Tour, a stage climbs the Col de Sarenne (HC) and then continues on to Alpe d’Huez, where the route joins the usual route in the main town of Huez and takes the final three hairpin bends to the finish, just as it did the previous day. This route has previously only been tackled on the descent in 2013. The climb up the Sarenne is 12.8 kilometres long, with an average gradient of 7.3 per cent. From the highest point to the finish line, there are still 14 kilometres to go.

As the Col du Sarenne is situated within the buffer zone of a national park, there were discussions in the run-up to the event, as well as a petition calling for the ‘queen stage’ to be altered. Crowds and helicopters could cause too much damage to the already stressed natural environment, including its wildlife. Ultimately, A.S.O. did not deviate from its plan to keep the mountain in the route. At the very least, the number of spectators along that section of the route is to be limited.

A sporting analysis of Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France

The penultimate stage of this season’s Tour is in a league of its own. Especially at this late stage of the race, anything can happen here. From a daring breakaway to a complete collapse – this route can set the stage for all manner of dramatic developments. However, anyone hoping to pull off a heroic feat with an early attack here must either be desperate or have nothing to lose. If the aim is a stage win or a top spot in the general classification, attacks are most likely to be successful – at the earliest – in the final kilometres of the Galibier.

Looking at the overall standings, however, more professionals are likely to be satisfied with their results than the other way round. In the battle for the podium, the gaps are also fairly small, which is why an attack on the Sarenne seems rather likely in this regard, to minimise the risk of a collapse. And the stage winner is likely to be someone who is still in contention in the general classification. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) is unlikely to let victory on this prestigious queen stage slip from his grasp.

Nevertheless, there’s sure to be plenty of excitement early on. The reason for this is the battle for the mountains jersey. A rider could earn a maximum of 70 points on this stage alone. That’s exactly how many Pogacar had to his name as the leader of the mountains classification after 18 stages. However, Richard Carapaz (EF Education - EasyPost) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) will be the ones most keenly interested in this. Both are known for their attacking style of riding and are unlikely to miss the chance to make their mark as early as the Col de la Croix de Fer.