The 112nd edition of Tour de France Settled this Saturday, July 5 of Lille for a 1st stage cut for sprinters. 184.9 kilometers long, this inaugural day has a relatively flat profile, with only three listed ribs. The last one, Mont Noir (4th category), is 45 kilometers from the finish, and should not prevent a massive sprint in the streets of Lille. Mount Cassel, well known in the region, also remains too far away to influence the race. The route, without paved sectors, will nevertheless be tense: as often during the first days of Tourthe nervousness of the peloton could cause falls or breaks. But it is the sprinters who should compete for the win on this 1st stage and go get the yellow jersey … A first since 2019!
Video – Cyrille Guimard at the microphone of Cyclism'Actu before the Tour
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Merlier, Milan … the favorites of this 1st stage
Three sprinters seem to detach themselves in the fight for the first yellow jersey. Tim Merlier (Sudal Quick-Step), already victorious ten times this season, appears to be the number one favorite. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Maillot Cyclamen you Giro shone on all the stages races he has played this year. Finally, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-deceuninck), nine times winner in the last three Toursremains a formidable finisher, even if he only won twice in 2025. Among the outsiders to follow: the green jersey of the past year Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco simple), Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) or other Wout van Aert (Visma | lease a bike), all capable of creating surprise in a final which promises to be very tense.
The 1st stage course
– Saturday July 5 – Step 1 : Lille – Lille / 184.9 km (departure at 1:40 p.m., arrival around 5:46 p.m.)
The starting list
To be found here via this link !
