The sprinters have had to wait until Stage 5 of the 2026 Tour de France before getting their first genuine opportunity. The 158.3km route from Lannemezan to Pau is almost tailor-made for a bunch sprint, with just one categorised climb on the course, around 26 kilometres from the finish, and one that is unlikely to pose any significant challenge.
Provided the sprint teams keep the race under control and nothing unexpected unfolds, the stage looks set to end in a full-blooded bunch sprint on Place de Verdun in Pau. Jasper Philipsen is among the leading favourites. The Belgian already claimed victory in Pau in 2024 and could now celebrate his 11th Tour de France stage win.
RTL’s coverage will be broadcast on RTL.lu and RTL Play.
Commentary: Tom Flammang, Kim Kirchen
For audiovisual rights reasons, the live stream is not available outside Luxembourg. The race commentary will be provided in Luxembourgish.
We will broadcast the RTL programme on RTL Today and RTL Play.
Commentary: Tom Flammang and Kim Kirchen
Wednesday 8 July, from 3.30pm to 6.15pm
Stage 5 – Flat – Lannemezan > Pau, 158.3 km
Thursday 9 July, from 3.00pm to 6.05pm
Stage 6 – Mountain – Pau > Gavarnie-Gèdre, 186.2 km
Friday 10 July, from 3.00pm to 5.55pm
Stage 7 – Flat – Hagetmau > Bordeaux, 175.1 km
Saturday 11 July, from 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Stage 8 – Flat – Périgueux > Bergerac, 180.4 km
Sunday 12 July, from 3.00pm to 6.30pm
Stage 9 – Hilly – Malemort > Ussel, 185.5 km
Monday 13 July
Rest day – Cantal
Tuesday 14 July, from 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Stage 10 – Mountain – Aurillac > Le Lioran, 166.6 km
Wednesday 15 July, from 3.20pm to 6.10pm
Stage 11 – Flat – Vichy > Nevers, 161.3 km
Thursday 16 July, from 3.00pm to 6.15pm
Stage 12 – Flat – Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours > Chalon-sur-Saône, 179.1 km
Friday 17 July, from 3.00pm to 6.30pm
Stage 13 – Hilly – Dole > Belfort, 205.8 km
Saturday 18 July, from 3.00pm to 6.05pm
Stage 14 – Mountain – Mulhouse > Le Markstein Fellering, 155.3 km
Sunday 19 July, from 3.00pm to 6.25pm
Stage 15 – Mountain – Champagnole > Plateau de Solaison, 183.9 km
Monday 20 July
Rest day – Haute-Savoie
Tuesday 21 July, from 3.00pm to 6.20pm
Stage 16 – Individual time trial – Évian-les-Bains > Thonon-les-Bains, 26.1 km
Wednesday 22 July, from 3.20pm to 6.00pm
Stage 17 – Flat – Chambéry > Voiron, 174.7 km
Thursday 23 July, from 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Stage 18 – Mountain – Voiron > Orcières-Merlette, 185.2 km
Friday 24 July, from 3.30pm to 6.15pm
Stage 19 – Mountain – Gap > Alpe d'Huez, 127.9 km
Saturday 25 July, from 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Stage 20 – Mountain – Le Bourg-d'Oisans > Alpe d'Huez, 170.9 km
Sunday 26 July, from 5.00pm to 8.25pm
Stage 21 – Flat – Thoiry > Paris Champs-Élysées, 133 km
