France 13 Feb – 15 Feb 2026 Class 2.1 – Stages – Class 1
Website https://www.tourdelaprovence.fr/
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The 2026 Tour de la Provence is currently taking place from February 13 to February 15, 2026. Since today is February 12, the race is scheduled to kick off tomorrow!
This three-day French stage race (UCI category 2.1) is a key early-season fixture known for its beautiful Lavender-country backdrops and the challenging slopes of the Provence region.
🗺️ 2026 Route & Stages
2026 Race Schedule & Route
The race covers a total of approximately 560 km across three stages:
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Key Feature |
| 1 | Feb 13 | Marseille → Saint-Victoret | 168.8 km | Hilly start, flat finish |
| 2 | Feb 14 | Forcalquier → Montagne de Lure | 179.8 km | Summit Finish (The “Queen Stage”) |
| 3 | Feb 15 | Rognac → Arles | 210.9 km | Long stage, likely for sprinters |
🌟 Key Contenders
Notable Riders to Watch
Several big names are on the start list as they build form for the Spring Classics and Grand Tours:
- Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek): The defending champion (winning both 2024 and 2025). He’s the man to beat if he can survive the climb to Montagne de Lure.
- Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost): Making his season debut here; look for him to test his legs on Stage 2.
- Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers): A major GC threat for the mountain finish.
- Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek): Providing a strong secondary option alongside Pedersen.
- Guillaume Martin (Groupama-FDJ): The local French favorite for the climbing stages.
🏆 Current Status
Why It Matters
While shorter than it used to be (shifting from four days to three in recent years), the Montagne de Lure finish on Stage 2 is the decisive moment. It is often referred to as the “little sister” of Mont Ventoux, offering a long, steady grind that usually determines the final overall winner.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Gemini said
The Tour de la Provence is a relatively young but prestigious addition to the early-season cycling calendar. Established in 2016, it quickly became a favorite for Grand Tour contenders looking to test their climbing legs in the crisp February air of Southern France.
The Origins (2016–2018)
The race was born in 2016 as the Tour Cycliste International La Provence, organized by the newspaper La Provence.
- Inaugural Winner: The legendary French rider Thomas Voeckler took the first-ever title.
- Early Growth: It initially began as a 3-stage race (UCI 2.1) but its reputation grew rapidly due to its challenging terrain and the “Mini-Ventoux” appeal of the region.
The Rise to ProSeries (2019–2022)
By 2020, the race was promoted to the UCI ProSeries, the second tier of professional cycling. During this era, it became a playground for elite climbers:
- The Colombian Era: Between 2020 and 2022, Colombian riders dominated. Nairo Quintana won twice (2020, 2022) and Iván Sosa won in 2021.
- The Ventoux Connection: The race famously used the Chalet Reynard climb (halfway up the giant Mont Ventoux) as a summit finish, cementing its status as a serious test for climbers.
Turmoil and Return (2023–Present)
The race hit a significant roadblock in 2023 when it was cancelled due to financial and administrative issues with the French National Cycling League (LNC). There were fears the race might disappear entirely.
- 2024 Resurrection: The race returned under new management with a shift in style. It became slightly more favorable for “puncheurs” and strong sprinters.
- The Pedersen Streak: Danish star Mads Pedersen has dominated the modern era, winning the general classification in both 2024 and 2025.
Palmarès (Past Winners)
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2025 | Mads Pedersen | Lidl-Trek |
| 2024 | Mads Pedersen | Lidl-Trek |
| 2023 | Cancelled | — |
| 2022 | Nairo Quintana | Arkéa–Samsic |
| 2021 | Iván Sosa | Ineos Grenadiers |
| 2020 | Nairo Quintana | Arkéa–Samsic |
| 2019 | Gorka Izagirre | Astana |
| 2018 | Alexandre Geniez | AG2R La Mondiale |
| 2017 | Rohan Dennis | BMC Racing Team |
| 2016 | Thomas Voeckler | Direct Énergie |
Key Traditions
- The Leader’s Jersey: Unlike the yellow of the Tour de France, the leader of the Tour de la Provence wears a teal/turquoise jersey inspired by the colors of the Mediterranean and the Provence landscape.
- The “Queen” Stage: The race almost always features one brutal summit finish, often on the Montagne de Lure or Chalet Reynard, which acts as the deciding factor for the overall standings.
