The biggest event on the cycling calendar is finally here, with the 2026 Tour de France promising another fascinating three-week battle between the world's best riders. All eyes will once again be on Tadej Pogacar as he looks to further cement his status as the dominant force in world cycling, while Jonas Vingegaard attempts to challenge the seemingly impossible.
Beyond the battle for yellow, there are plenty of intriguing markets across the points and mountains classifications that offer value for punters willing to look beyond the outright winner. Check out our preview and betting tips for the key categories in the 2026 Tour de France below.
2026 Tour de France Preview & Betting Tips
The Route
This year's race gets underway in Barcelona before covering 3,333 kilometres through Spain and France, featuring a route that should reward complete riders and aggressive racing. The opening week includes a team time trial, while the final week brings an individual time trial that could prove decisive for the general classification battle.
The organisers have packed the course with eight mountain stages and five summit finishes, including iconic climbs such as the Col du Tourmalet, Col du Galibier and a spectacular double ascent of Alpe d'Huez. Importantly for betting purposes, the first 12 days contain plenty of punchy medium mountain stages and breakaway opportunities, creating fascinating dynamics in both the points and King of the Mountains competitions.
General Classification: Pogacar Untouchable
Barring a crash or complete disaster, there is absolutely no way that Tadej Pogacar doesn't win this year's Tour de France.
The Slovenian is operating on a completely different level to the rest of the cycling world right now. He is the best climber, one of the best time trialists, the most explosive rider in the peloton and, perhaps most importantly, has the strongest all-round team supporting him. UAE have built a squad capable of controlling virtually every scenario this race can throw at them, and it is hard to see anyone laying a glove on their superstar leader.
The value in the market comes further down the board. Jonas Vingegaard still profiles as the clear second-best GC rider in the race despite coming off a Giro-Tour double attempt, but the battle for the final podium spot looks wide open.
That's where Isaac Del Toro appeals at around $3.50 to finish on the podium. The young Mexican has continued his rapid development over the past 12 months and could thrive on a route packed with punchy climbing and aggressive racing. Surrounded by the strongest team in the race, he should also benefit from the tactical freedom that comes with riding alongside Pogacar. If the expected attrition hits some of the established contenders, Del Toro looks outstanding value to stand on the podium in Paris.
Isaac Del Toro Podium
$3.50
Points Classification: Van der Poel Can Feature At Big Odds
The green jersey battle looks set to revolve around the pure sprinters, but there could be significant value in backing Mathieu van der Poel to finish on the podium in the points classification.
This year's route contains numerous hilly and classics-style stages that suit his strengths perfectly. The Dutchman should be competitive on the punchy finishes in Barcelona, Foix and Le Lioran, while also having opportunities to score heavily from breakaways and intermediate sprints throughout the race.
Unlike the pure sprinters who may struggle to survive the mountains or target only a handful of stages, Van der Poel has the versatility to consistently accumulate points across all three weeks. At generous odds, a podium finish in the points classification shapes as one of the better value plays of the race.
Mathieu van der Poel Top 3 Points
$10.25
King of the Mountains: Ben Healy To Attack Early
The opening 12 days of this year's Tour are loaded with medium mountain stages and breakaway opportunities, creating the perfect environment for an aggressive rider to build an early advantage in the polka-dot competition.
Ben Healy fits that profile perfectly.
The Irishman has never been afraid to empty the tank in pursuit of stage victories, and the hilly terrain through the first half of the race looks tailor-made for his attacking style. With the GC battle likely remaining relatively controlled until the biggest Alpine stages, Healy could rack up valuable mountain points long before the overall contenders fully engage in the competition.
Even if Pogacar eventually claims the jersey, there is excellent value in Healy simply finishing on the podium in the King of the Mountains standings after what should be an aggressive opening fortnight.
Ben Healy Top 3 KOM
$10.25
Other Tips
Tom Pidcock top 10 finish ($2.00 at bet365)
Netcompany INEOS Stage 1 winner - Team time trial ($4.00 at bet365)
Mathieu Van Der Poel to win 2+ stages ($3.00 at bet365)
Isaac Del Toro to win Young Rider Classification ($3.00 at bet365)
