If you're anything like me, your July schedule basically revolves around a bunch of guys in spandex racing through the French countryside. It's addictive. But every year, we all end up frantically Googling the same thing: when does the tour de france 2025 start?
Well, the 112th edition of the world's most famous bike race officially gets rolling on Saturday, July 5, 2025.
This isn't just another race. 2025 is a bit of a homecoming. For the last few years, the organizers (ASO) have been obsessed with starting outside of France—we’ve had Denmark, Spain, and Italy. Honestly, it was getting a little weird. This time, they’re bringing it back to basics. The Grand Départ is set for Lille, right in the heart of Northern France.
The Grand Départ: Why Lille Matters
So, why Lille? Basically, it’s a tactical playground.
The first stage is a 185km loop that starts and ends in the city. Unlike the brutal opening hills we saw in Florence last year, Stage 1 in 2025 is looking like a pure gift for the sprinters. Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay are probably already licking their chops.
But don't let the flat profile fool you. Northern France in early July? It’s windy. One wrong turn, one crosswind "echelon," and a GC favorite could lose their podium dreams before they even see a mountain. It's happened before. It'll happen again.
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The Key Dates You Need to Circle
If you're planning your life around the broadcast, here’s the high-level roadmap:
- Saturday, July 5: Stage 1 kicks off in Lille.
- Monday, July 14: Bastille Day. Expect absolute chaos on the climb to Le Mont-Dore.
- Tuesday, July 15: The first rest day (Toulouse).
- Monday, July 21: The second rest day (Montpellier).
- Sunday, July 27: The grand finale on the Champs-Élysées.
When Does the Tour de France 2025 Start Having the Big Mountains?
Everyone asks this. People want the high-altitude drama.
While the first week has some "punchy" finishes—like the Mûr-de-Bretagne on Stage 7—the real pain begins on Stage 10. That's the Bastille Day special. It’s a mountain stage in the Massif Central with over 4,000 meters of climbing.
Then we hit the Pyrenees. Stage 12 takes the riders up to Hautacam. If you remember 2022, that’s where Jonas Vingegaard basically broke Tadej Pogačar. It’s a legendary, soul-crushing climb.
And let's talk about the Alps. Stage 18 is the big one: Col de la Loze. It’s the highest point of the 2025 race, sitting at 2,304 meters. The air is thin, the gradients are stupidly steep, and the "sag wagon" will be busy that day.
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The "Big Four" and the 2025 Rivalry
Let’s be real: we’re all here for the Pogačar vs. Vingegaard Part V.
Tadej Pogačar is coming off a 2024 season that honestly didn't look human. The guy was winning everything. But Vingegaard, when he’s at 100%, is the only person on the planet who can consistently match him in the high mountains.
Then you’ve got Remco Evenepoel. He’s the wildcard. He’s the best time-trialist in the world, and there are two big "race against the clock" stages in 2025. Stage 5 is a 33km flat TT in Caen, and Stage 13 is an 11km mountain TT up to Peyragudes. Remco could realistically take minutes out of the others there.
- Tadej Pogačar: The favorite. Pure aggression.
- Jonas Vingegaard: The tactical genius. Climbs like a goat.
- Remco Evenepoel: The aero-bullet. Needs to survive the steep stuff.
- Primož Roglič: The "Heartbreak Kid." Can he finally finish one without a freak crash?
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Route
There’s a misconception that the Tour is always won in the Alps. Kinda true, but look at the 2025 route again.
All 21 stages are entirely within France. No transfers from other countries. No jet lag. This means the intensity stays high from day one.
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Also, the finish is back in Paris. 2024 ended in Nice because of the Olympics, which was cool, but it didn't feel "right." The 2025 finish marks the 50th anniversary of the first finish on the Champs-Élysées. Expect that final sprint to be more prestigious—and more dangerous—than usual.
Watching It Live (Without Losing Your Mind)
If you're in the U.S., you're basically tied to Peacock and NBC.
Most stages start around 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM ET. If you're a West Coaster, I'm sorry. You're waking up at 3:00 AM or watching the replays.
One tip: don't just watch the last 10km. The middle of the stages—especially in the Pyrenees—is where the "breakaway" drama happens. That’s where the real chess match is played.
Actionable Next Steps
- Book your PTO now: If you want to watch the mountain stages live, you'll need July 14, 17, and 24 off.
- Update your apps: Make sure your streaming subscription is active by July 1st to catch the team presentations.
- Follow the "Critérium du Dauphiné": This race in June is the traditional "dress rehearsal." Whoever looks strong there is usually the one to beat in July.
The 2025 Tour is shaping up to be a classic "old-school" race. No gimmicks, just 3,320 kilometers of French roads and the toughest athletes on earth. See you on the roadside (or the couch).