Tour de France 2026 – Points classification prediction

The points classification

The points classification in the Tour de France is the classification for the best sprinter. The leader wears the green jersey (maillot vert), sponsored by Škoda, and the rider who stands at the top after stage 21 in Paris wins that jersey definitively. The classification was first awarded in 1953 and has since been considered the second most important classification of the race.

Points are earned at the finish line of each stage and at intermediate sprints. The number of points depends on the type of stage: flat stages deliver a maximum of 70 points for the stage winner, hilly stages 30 points, mountain stages 20 points and time trials also 20 points. At the intermediate sprint, a maximum of 20 points can be earned for the first rider across the line, with decreasing points for the following places up to and including fifteenth. New in 2026: the organisation has scheduled two intermediate sprints on the seven flat stages instead of the usual one, creating more sprint opportunities on the flat stages.

Points per stage

The route of the Tour de France 2026 features seven flat stages, four hilly stages, eight mountain stages, a team time trial and an individual time trial. Below is an overview of all stages with the official type according to the organisation's route book and the corresponding finish points.

On all stages there are two scoring opportunities: an intermediate sprints and at the finish, for a maximum yield of 95 points per stage for a rider who wins everything. On mountain stages there is also an intermediate sprint on the way to the finish. Riders who do not reach the mountain finish first can also score points in the classification this way.

Recent winners

Candidates

Philipsen and Merlier are two favourites for the green jersey. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) won the green jersey in 2023 and has shown in the Tour that he can also score points on harder days.

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) is among the fastest in the peloton on flat finishes, but the points classification requires not only speed but also consistency and mountain survival. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trke) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) are versatile sprinters who can also score on hilly stages. The absence of Wout van Aert is a real disappointment. His versatility gave him an important role in the points classification of the past Tour de France editions.

The final start list has not yet been officially published at the time of writing.

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