Tour de Suisse 2026 reduced to five stages, Tadej Pogačar headlines start list

The 2026 Tour de Suisse will take place from 17 June to 21 June, featuring a shortened programme of five stages instead of the usual eight. The race opens in Sondrio, Italy, before moving to Swiss towns such as Locarno, Bad Ragaz and Aarburg, with a mix of hilly, technical and sprint‑friendly routes.

Tadej Pogačar is the marquee rider of the event, entering as the favourite ahead of the Tour de France. The start list also includes high‑profile cyclists such as Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Pidcock, Primož Roglič, Richard Carapaz, Nairo Quintana and several emerging talents from WorldTour teams and Swiss ProTeams. Wild‑card entries allow local Swiss squads to compete alongside the international field.

Organisers have highlighted challenging climbs, short steep ascents and technical descents designed for puncheurs and climbers, while the final stage offers a sprint finish. The condensed format and star‑studded roster make the 2026 edition a key preview race before the Tour de France.