The 2026 Tour de France Femmes starts on Saturday in Lausanne with a 138-kilometer opening stage that features 1.700 vertical meters and a summit finish on the Côte Saint-François, according to race organization documents and broadcaster schedules compiled by outlets including WielerFlits.
Stage 1 Route and Climb Details
The opening loop starts and finishes in Lausanne, though some reference texts such as Wikipedia list the distance at 137 kilometers, according to race data. After departing from Lake Geneva, the peloton rides north past Lake Neuchâtel and tackles three third-category climbs: the Côte de Châbles at kilometer 49, measuring 1.6 kilometers at 7.7 percent; the Côte de Villars-le-Comte, at 4 kilometers averaging 5.8 percent; and the Côte de Vulliens, stretching 3 kilometers at 5.3 percent.
The stage culminates on the Côte Saint-François, a 2.5-kilometer climb averaging 4.6 percent. According to race previews, this ascent is steep enough to neutralize pure sprinters and favor puncheuses and overall contenders. Bonus seconds are available at the finish line—10, 6, and 4 seconds for the top three riders—while an intermediate sprint in Villeneuve offers 25 points for the green jersey competition.
Broadcast Schedule and Viewing Options
Live television coverage varies by broadcaster, meaning viewers will miss the opening portion of the race. According to published television guides, Eurosport 1 begins its broadcast at 14:00, VRT 1 starts coverage at 14.40, while NPO 1 and HBO Max with its sports add-on start at 15.45. Broadcaster schedules indicate that only stages 5 and 9 will air flag-to-flag from start to finish.
The neutralised start in Lausanne is scheduled for 14.15, with the official start at kilometer 0 following around 14.40. Depending on the pace—calculated in the organization’s roadbook at averages of 45, 43, or 41 kilometers per hour—the expected finish time falls between 17.44 and 18.02.
Did you know? Lausanne marks the first Swiss start in the history of the Tour de France Femmes, and represents only the second foreign Grand Départ for the race following the Netherlands. At 1.175 kilometer and 18.795 hoogtemeters overall, the fifth edition stands as the longest and heaviest route to date.
Weather Conditions and Race Impact
Race day temperatures are projected to reach approximately 33 degrees Celsius with minimal wind, according to weather forecasts cited on July 29. With 1.700 vertical meters on the menu, these high temperatures threaten to make the opening stage a significantly sterner test than the profile alone suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the 2026 Tour de France Femmes Stage 1 finish?
The expected finish time falls between 17.44 and 18.02, depending on whether the peloton averages 45, 43, or 41 kilometers per hour.
Where does the first stage start and end?
The 138-kilometer stage starts and finishes in Lausanne, Switzerland, featuring a final climb up the Côte Saint-François.
Which TV channels are broadcasting the race live?
In the Netherlands, NPO 1 and NOS online platforms broadcast coverage starting at 15.45, alongside Eurosport 1 starting at 14.00, HBO Max from 15.45, and VRT 1 from 14.40.
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