Tour de France 2026 stage 7: flat Hagetmau to Bordeaux sprint showdown

Stage 7 profile and terrain

This stage favors well-organized sprint teams. With its straight roads, open landscapes, and controlled pacing, expect trains from teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck and Soudal Quick-Step to dominate the final kilometers.

Through the forests and towns of southwestern France

The peloton will set off from Hagetmau, a town new to hosting a stage start, though previously crossed by the Tour in 2021. The first part of the route includes long straightaways through the Landes region, passing through towns such as Saint-Sever, Mont-de-Marsan, Cère, and Luxey.

As the stage moves into the Gironde, riders will traverse the forests of Guillos, Origne, and Landiras—areas scarred by the 2023 wildfires but now a symbol of resilience and regrowth.

Communes along the stage 7 schedule

• Saint-Sever
• Mont-de-Marsan
• Cère
• Luxey
• Guillos
• Origne
• Landiras
• Illats
• Cérons
• Cadillac (crossing the Garonne)
• Cardan, Langoiran, Cambes, Camblanes-et-Meynac, Latresne, Floirac

Epic sprint finale in Bordeaux

After crossing the Garonne at Cadillac, the only real difficulty awaits: the côte de Béguey, a short climb unlikely to trouble the sprint teams. From there, the route follows the river for over 40 kilometers into the heart of Bordeaux.

The final sequence is fast and iconic. Riders will cross the modern Simone Veil Bridge before launching into a 3-kilometer straight sprint along the Garonne’s quays, with the finish line set at the majestic place des Quinconces.

Arrival details at a glance

• Final straight: 3 km along the Garonne
• Finish line: place des Quinconces
• Last obstacle: côte de Béguey (non-selective)
• Bridge crossing: Pont Simone Veil

Bordeaux: a legendary sprint city

Bordeaux will welcome a Tour de France stage finish for the 82nd time, second only to Paris. A true capital of speed, it has seen victories by sprinting legends on both track and road. From historic wins at the Lescure velodrome to modern-day battles on the riverside, Bordeaux remains a symbol of Tour de France sprinting heritage.

Famous past winners in Bordeaux include:

• Jasper Philipsen (2023)
• Mark Cavendish
• Erik Zabel
• Danny Van Poppel
• Freddy Maertens
• Rik Van Looy
• André Darrigade
• Eddy Merckx – record holder with 4 victories, including 3 time trials

The 2026 edition could crown a new star of the sprints—or confirm a reigning champion—in a race where speed reigns supreme.

A key stage for the green jersey contenders

This flat stage is not just about glory—it’s about points. With two intermediate sprints and a high-value finish line, this is a major opportunity for those targeting the maillot vert. Expect green jersey hopefuls to be on full alert, and their teams to dictate the pace from the start.

Breakaways will likely be neutralized early, as the terrain is too favorable for a bunch sprint and the stakes too high to let escapees survive.