Tour de France final stage to feature Montmartre climbs before Paris finish

The 2026 Tour de France will conclude with a challenging final stage, transforming the traditional Parisian finish into a classic race. Riders will tackle three ascents of Montmartre, with the final climb finishing just 10 kilometers from the Champs-Élysées.

Originally 133 kilometers, the stage from Thoiry to Paris has been reduced to 89 kilometers, entirely within the capital. This change aims to free up resources for the ongoing fight against widespread wildfires across the country.

Despite the overall classification likely remaining unchanged and the mountain and points jerseys already decided, the modified route injects a new level of excitement. The inclusion of three Montmartre climbs and two additional laps of the Champs-Élysées offers a more demanding finish than the purely ceremonial stage of past years.

First highlighted during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the rue Lepic leading to the Montmartre basilica has added a fresh dynamic. This year's finale is expected to attract both sprinters and classics specialists, with the victory not solely reserved for 'finishers.' Last year's winner, Wout van Aert, demonstrated the potential for classics riders, though the slightly longer distance from the final Montmartre ascent may favor sprinters this time.