Overview

• The 80th edition begins Saturday in northern Italy, crosses into France on Stage 4, then runs through northern Spain to a traditional finish in Madrid.
• Jonas Vingegaard says he feels ready after targeted preparation, has skipped the World Championships and Il Lombardia, and starts as the frontrunner following the absences of Tadej Pogačar and four-time winner Primož Roglič.
• UAE Team Emirates counters with João Almeida, who won Itzulia, Romandie and Suisse before a Tour-ending rib fracture, while Juan Ayuso acknowledges uncertain form after minimal racing since May.
• The route emphasizes high mountains and includes two time trials, with a team test on day five and a 27-kilometer individual race late in the final week, and Stage 13 to L'Angliru is viewed as a potential turning point.
• Published details differ on the number of summit finishes, with AP listing eight and El Diario Vasco counting eleven.