Money makes the wheels go around and every pro team is reliant on funding from its title sponsors who can easily supply 90% of the income needed to keep the squads on the road. But do you want some Wanty, do you know what Visma does and do you know the connection between Cofidis and Arkéa?
There are 22 teams in the Tour de France with a variety of sponsors from household goods to governments. Here’s a quick explainer of what they all do, presented in the start list order…
It doesn’t stand out on on the profile thanks to the modest y-axis but today’s two climbs of the San Luca climb are hard and the final hour should be lively.
The Tour de France starts in Italy. With the recent announcement that the 2026 edition will start in Barcelona foreign starts are now more than a curiosity, they’re almost the norm. The potential for big crowds and a chunky hosting fee make it an attractive option for the organisers.
The Tour de France starts with a tough opener, don’t call it Tirreno-Adriatico in a day but it is a succession of climbs that’s almost coast to coast. Firenze to Rimini, Michelangelo to beach lounger in a day and the yellow jersey awaits.
France may be on the verge of a political crisis but the anticipated four-way battle between Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel is on. The cards have been shuffled this season by fate but they’re all here.
Recent recon rides in France have seen that the sunflower crop is only a few centimetres tall right now after a damp and grey start to summer. But sans sunflowers you know it’s July when you see the polka dot jersey. He’s a look at the riders who might be sporting it soon.
A look at the points competition in the Tour de France, the contenders for the green jersey and a wider preview of the sprinters.
