A pre-race Tour de France 2026 preview: Björn (with ProCyclingStats open) and Niclas break down the favorites, GC contenders, opening team time trial, the first punchy stages around the Olympic stadium, and the wave of heat expected through week one.

Team-by-team analysis of the GC picks (Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE Team Emirates, Red Bull-Bora), sprinter and classics options, and the young riders to watch — Paul Seixas, Isaac del Toro, and more.

Big questions: Can anyone touch Pogačar? How much does heat adaptation matter this year? What does the double-headed lead at Visma really mean? And what changes when the race actually starts?