The Tour de France is set to modernize its team time trial format by adopting rules that allow each rider to record an individual finishing time. According to the race organizer ASO, this shift—previously tested in Paris-Nice—marks a departure from traditional formats where a team’s time was determined by the arrival of the fourth or fifth rider. The change will debut in this year’s Tour at the Barcelona stage, ending a seven-year hiatus for the discipline in the Tour de France.
How do the new team time trial rules work?
Under the revised regulations, every cyclist on a team receives their own individual finishing time. The arrival time of the fastest member of the team counts. According to ASO, the goal is to encourage teams to ride at maximum intensity until the very end, rather than pacing themselves to ensure a specific number of riders finish together.
Why is the ASO changing the format?
The ASO moved to reanimate the team time trial after the discipline faced a decline in popularity and frequency in professional stage races. By allowing individual times, organizers have successfully increased competition; in recent Paris-Nice iterations, the top three teams finished within a four-second margin. This “new style” has been a staple of Paris-Nice since 2023, serving as a proving ground for the Tour de France.
Which teams have the advantage?
Recent performance data suggests that Visma-Lease a Bike and INEOS Grenadiers are the primary favorites for this format. According to race results, Visma-Lease a Bike has secured three victories in modern-style team time trials, while INEOS Grenadiers won the Paris-Nice edition earlier this year.
| Event | Winner |
|---|---|
| Paris-Nice 2023 | Jumbo-Visma |
| Paris-Nice 2024 | UAE Team Emirates |
| Paris-Nice 2025 | Visma-Lease a Bike |
While UAE Team Emirates boasts a roster including Tadej Pogacar, their history with this specific format is mixed. In 2023, Pogacar lost 23 seconds to Jonas Vingegaard during a Paris-Nice team time trial, though he went on to win the overall race. The variance in course profiles—ranging from flat roads to the technical, hilly finish at Montjuïc—remains a significant factor that makes direct comparisons difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the whole team still have to finish together?
No. Under the new ASO rules, each rider receives their individual time upon crossing the finish line. The arrival time of the fastest of the team counts.
How does this impact the yellow jersey?
The fastest rider on the stage will claim the yellow jersey. This creates the possibility of teammates sprinting against one another to secure the lead.
Is this format used in all stage races?
No, it is currently specific to events organized by the ASO, such as the Tour de France and Paris-Nice.
Related reading