Tour de France 2026 Revamps Points Classification to Boost Sprinters' Chances

The Tour de France organizers have announced significant modifications to the points classification system ahead of the 2026 race, scheduled from July 4 to July 26. These changes are designed to favor pure sprinters and reshape the competition for the coveted green jersey.

Under the new system, the winner of a "coefficient 1" stage—primarily flat stages expected to culminate in mass sprints—will now earn 70 points, an increase from the previous 50. The second and third place finishers in these stages will receive 50 and 40 points respectively. Stages classified as "coefficient 2" will award 50 points to the winner, while "coefficient 3" stages carry 30 points, and the most mountainous stages offer 20 points.

The 2026 edition will feature five "coefficient 1" stages with finishes in Pau, Bordeaux, Bergerac, Nevers, and Chalon-sur-Saône, promising more opportunities for sprinters to capitalize on the new scoring format. Additionally, points for intermediate sprints have been increased from 20 to 25 to further incentivize aggressive racing from sprinters throughout the stages.

Notably, Jonathan Milan, who won last year’s points classification, will not compete in this year’s tour, leaving the competition wide open.

These adjustments indicate a clear intent by the Tour organizers to enhance the prospects of sprinters, making the points classification battle more dynamic and focused on fast finishers. The revamped system is expected to influence race strategies and might reshape how sprinters and their teams approach the 2026 Tour.