Tour de France 2026: Stage 16 Profile, Schedule, and Favorites for the Individual Time Trial

The 2026 Tour de France enters a critical phase with its sixteenth stage, a demanding 26.1-kilometer individual time trial stretching from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains. This stage, occurring just two weeks after a team time trial, presents a unique challenge for the riders.

The route is not a flat, straightforward race against the clock. It features a significant Category 2 climb, the Côte de Larringes, spanning 9.7 kilometers with an average gradient of 4.3%. This ascent is expected to be a decisive factor, potentially eliminating pure sprinters and favoring riders competing for the overall general classification.

Thierry Gouvenou, a former French cyclist and current Tour de France race director, highlighted the stage's strategic importance. He noted that the climb, while not excessively steep, is designed to test the overall contenders rather than pure time trial specialists. Gouvenou also pointed out that the stage follows a rest day, which can sometimes lead to riders struggling to regain race rhythm.

In terms of favorites, Remco Evenepoel is considered a strong contender due to his time trial prowess. However, he faces stiff competition from riders like Tadej Pogacar. Other notable outsiders include Edoardo Affini, Victor Campenaerts, and Joshua Tarling. The first rider is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM, with the final competitor setting off at 5:15 PM, and the stage finish expected around 5:50 PM.