Who announced the full 2026 Tour de France route on 23 October 2025?

Christian Prudhomme announced the full 2026 Tour de France route on 23 October 2025. As the race director, he presented a course beginning in Barcelona and finishing in Paris, with the route designed to build toward a tense final week.

Prudhomme has been the public face of the Tour’s route presentations for many years. He became the race director in 2007, succeeding Jean-Marie Leblanc, and is responsible for helping shape the race’s sporting and geographical identity. His role includes unveiling the stages, explaining the balance between flat, hilly and mountain racing, and highlighting new venues.

The 2026 route was notable for its “crescendo” concept, with major climbing saved for later in the race. It included summit finishes at places such as Plateau de Solaison and Alpe d’Huez, plus two consecutive Alpe d’Huez finishes. A common mix-up is to credit the announcement to Amaury Sport Organisation, the event’s organiser, but ASO is the company behind the race; Prudhomme was the individual who presented the route.