The world’s biggest annual sporting event is set to captivate millions as the Tour de France kicks off on Saturday, July 5, from the streets of Lille. Over the next three weeks, an estimated 12 million spectators will line the route, with a massive global television audience of around 3.5 billion tuning in to follow the world’s most elite cyclists.
The race, which holds the record for the largest attendance at a sporting event, is once again drawing immense excitement. All eyes are on Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia), who enters this year’s race as the undisputed favorite to win the coveted yellow jersey and the accompanying €500,000 ($590,618; £428,850) cash prize.
Pogačar, a two-time Tour de France champion, cemented his status with a dominant victory at last month’s Critérium du Dauphiné, a crucial warm-up race. His fierce rival, Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark), who won the previous two Tours, will not be participating this year due to a serious injury. This absence has cleared the path for Pogačar, but he will still face stiff competition from contenders like Primož Roglič (Slovenia) and Remco Evenepoel (Belgium).
The 2025 route promises to be a challenging one, with a diverse mix of flat stages for sprinters, brutal mountain climbs, and a crucial time trial on the final weekend. This variety ensures that every type of rider has a chance to shine, adding to the drama and unpredictability of the race.
With the world’s cycling community ready to witness another epic showdown, the Tour de France is set to deliver its annual spectacle of human endurance, strategic genius, and breathtaking scenery, all watched by a global audience of billions.
