For this 114th edition of the Grande Boucle, Albi is preparing to welcome the peloton for what promises to be a spectacular arrival. The city, no stranger to the Tour's passage, has seen legends like Eddy Merckx in 1971, Cadel Evans in 2007, and Peter Sagan in 2013. During its last visit in 2019, Belgian champion Wout van Aert won in a sprint.
Hosting the Tour on a Sunday offers the city a chance to achieve a large audience, with a finish line at the end of a nearly one-kilometer straight. Residents are expected in large numbers to celebrate the passage of the caravan and the arrival of the cyclists. The Tour de France, a major sporting event, provides exceptional media visibility and significant economic benefits.
“"The Sunday broadcast guarantees us significant viewership with beautiful aerial images of the Episcopal City, especially since it will be eight days before the final arrival in Paris"
The organization of this event will mobilize numerous city and agglomeration services several months in advance, including public works, public space development, logistics, sports, and communication. The organizer, ASO, will also offer pre-event activities with the city's participation.
Albi has hosted the Tour de France 13 times previously, including in 1953, 1955, 1959, 1968, 1971, 1975, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2013, and 2019. In 2026, 46 million French people followed the Grande Boucle.
