Tour de France 2026 begins in Spain with an unusual first stage

This children’s article, Tour de France 2026 begins in Spain with an unusual first stage, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and discover what is happening as the 2026 Tour de France gets underway. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced teacher and writer for English News for Kids.

The race begins in Barcelona

The Tour de France has started today, 4 July, with thousands of fans gathering to watch one of the world’s biggest sporting events. This year, the famous cycling race begins in Barcelona, Spain, before travelling across Spain and France during the next three weeks.

The race will finish in Paris on 26 July after covering almost 3,500 kilometres. Along the way, the cyclists will race through busy towns, quiet countryside, steep mountains and fast city streets.

An unusual opening day

This year the first stage is different from a typical Tour de France stage. Instead of all the riders starting together, each team will begin at a different time and race against the clock in a team time trial.

The aim is to complete the course as quickly as possible. Every second counts. New rules mean that each cyclist will receive their own finishing time, even though they are racing as part of a team.

A huge challenge

This year’s Tour de France includes 184 riders from 23 teams. Over the next three weeks, they will face long distances, steep climbs and exciting downhill sections. Some stages are designed for fast sprints, while others will test cyclists on some of Europe’s toughest mountain roads.

Winning the Tour de France is about much more than being the fastest on one day. Riders need strength, skill and determination from the first stage to the last.

Hot weather could cause problems

Another challenge this year could be the weather. Parts of Europe have been experiencing very high temperatures, and organisers are ready to change plans if the heat becomes dangerous for riders or spectators.

Keeping everyone safe is the most important goal. Officials can change or cancel a stage if weather conditions become too extreme.

As the race begins today, nobody knows exactly what surprises the next three weeks will bring. One thing is certain, though. Millions of people around the world will be following every twist, climb and finish as the Tour de France 2026 gets underway.

To read more about this year’s race, you can visit the official Tour de France website.

Article vocabulary list

• Stage: One day’s race in a longer cycling competition.
• Organisers: The people who plan and run an event.
• Spectators: People who watch a sporting event.
• Determination: The ability to keep trying even when something is difficult.
• Extreme: Very unusual or severe.
• Countryside: Land outside towns and cities, often with fields and farms.
• Kilometres: A unit used to measure distance.

Comprehension questions

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