The second stage of the 2026 Tour de France, scheduled for 5 July, will change its route in Barcelona. This modification, requested by the Catalan government, avoids Collserola Park due to an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak and ensures public presence along the entire course.
Cyclists will now leave Molins de Rei at kilometre 123 and continue along the N-340 to Plaça Espanya, bypassing Collserola. This adjustment reduces the stage length from 182.4 kilometres to 168.4 kilometres, a cut of approximately 16 kilometres. The revised route will also extend through Molins de Rei, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Esplugues de Llobregat.
Barcelona City Council proposed the change, which was agreed with Tour de France organisers. The goal is to allow spectators along the full route, promoting a public celebration of cycling. The original path through Collserola Natural Park would have restricted spectators due to health measures.
Swine Fever Restrictions
The Catalan government has maintained strict management of the ASF outbreak, which includes limiting access to natural environments in affected areas. These restrictions aim to prevent the virus from spreading, stop wild boars from dispersing from the restricted zone, and help professional teams eradicate the disease. African swine fever is a severe viral illness affecting domestic pigs and wild boars, known for its high virulence, rapid spread, and high mortality.
While ASF is not transmissible to humans, its economic and commercial impact requires strict control measures under European law. This is not the first time a Tour de France stage has been altered due to a health crisis; a section in France was changed last year because of lumpy skin disease.
Grand Départ Barcelona 2026
The Grand Départ Barcelona 2026 will feature three stages in Catalonia, marking the first time the Tour has started in Barcelona. The first stage, on 4 July, will be a 19-kilometre team time trial in Barcelona. It will start at Parc del Fòrum, pass iconic city landmarks like the seafront and the Sagrada Família, and finish with two climbs to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. Team classification will be based on the first rider's time, but individual times will be recorded for the general classification.
Following the Tarragona to Barcelona stage on 5 July, which ends with an ascent to Montjuïc Castle, the third stage on 6 July will run from Granollers to Les Angles in France. Before the race starts, the traditional official team presentation will take place in Barcelona on 2 July. The three stages together cover over 350 kilometres across more than sixty municipalities in the Barcelona, Tarragona, and Girona regions.
