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Tour de France 2026: The queen stage to Alpe d'Huez, 5,400 m of elevation gain on July 25
Herz — Sport Desk · · 30s summary · 4 min read
The essentials
The 20th stage of the 2026 Tour de France, nicknamed the "queen stage" — the most challenging stage of the race — connects Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez this Saturday, July 25, with 5,400 meters of elevation gain and four climbs, three of them beyond first category. Riders start at 11:20 a.m., with the finish expected around 4:30 p.m. Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates), the yellow jersey wearer, enters this stage with five stage victories in this edition, including a stage win the previous day at Alpe d'Huez where he broke Marco Pantani's legendary record. Remco Evenepoel sits second overall, with Isaac Del Toro in third place.
- 5,400 m of elevation gain across four climbs, three of them beyond first category
- Start at 11:20 a.m. from Le Bourg-d'Oisans, finish expected around 4:30 p.m. at Alpe d'Huez
- First ascent of Col du Sarenne in uphill direction in Tour de France history
- Pogacar (yellow jersey) enters the stage with five stage victories in this edition
- Carapaz (Ecuador) wears the polka-dot jersey before this 20th stage
What we know
The 20th stage of the 2026 Tour de France, nicknamed the "queen stage" — the traditional designation for the most challenging stage of a multi-day race — takes place this Saturday, July 25, between Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez, a winter sports resort in the Northern Alps in Isère, roughly sixty kilometers southeast of Grenoble. The total elevation gain reaches 5,400 meters, according to France 24.
The peloton started at 11:20 a.m. from Le Bourg-d'Oisans. The finish is expected around 4:30 p.m. at Alpe d'Huez.
Time trial specialist Filippo Ganna, present in the peloton for this stage, celebrates his birthday on July 25.
5,400 m
Total elevation gain in stage 20
4
Climbs in stage 20 (including 3 beyond first category)
24 seconds
Seixas' gap (4th place) behind Del Toro (3rd) in general classification
The course: four linked climbs
The stage links four climbs. First comes Col de la Croix-de-Fer, classified beyond first category (HC) — the classification reserved for the most difficult climbs in the Tour, above first category, which awards the maximum points for the polka-dot jersey. This pass measures 24 km at an average gradient of 5.2%. Next is Col du Télégraphe (first category, 11.9 km at 7.1%).
The third climb is Col du Galibier (beyond first category, 17.7 km at 6.9%), a mountain pass in the French Alps at 2,642 meters elevation. Finally, Col du Sarenne (beyond first category, 12.8 km at 7.3%) precedes the finish at Alpe d'Huez.
Croix-de-Fer (HC)5.2
Telegraph (Cat. 1)7.1
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