How fast do Tour de France riders?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 15, 2026
Over the last several years, the winner of the tour has posted an overall average speed of right around 25mph (40kmph)–but that encompasses an entire tour. Uphill, downhill, time trial, flatland, it's all averaged at 25mph.
How fast does a Tour de France rider ride?
OK, let's start out with average speed on the flats. You: 17 to 18 mph. A tour rider: 25 to 28 mph.
How fast do they race in Tour de France?
Top recorded speed: 101.5kph (63.1mph)
The fastest recorded speed at the 2019 Tour de France came on a white-knuckle descent of the Col de Vars by one of the peloton's hard men.
How fast do Tour de France go uphill?
Average Speed Climbing: 12.8 mph
These athletes are literally cycling up and through the Pyrenees and Alps during this phase of the Tour de France, making for some of the most memorable moments of the Tour.
How fast do pros cycle uphill?
According to Strava, the average speed up the climb for all pros is just under 17kph, with the average time for all attempts at 9.8kph.
31 related questions foundHow do cyclist pee in the Tour de France?
Pee at the side of the road
Some riders stop at the side of the road to go for a pee. The peloton may organise itself, selecting a 'nature break' slot during which the riders will collectively pee; at a Grand Tour tradition dictates that the GC leader determines when this will be.
Is 18 mph fast on a bike?
The majority of riders can average a speed of about 15 mph on a one hour ride. A good speed for a beginner is 10 mph, but you should be able to get to 15 mph pretty quickly. If you start training every once in a while, you could get your average up to 18 mph, but training on a regular basis could get you to 22 mph.
Is 17 mph fast on a bike?
Average speed - indications
Most cyclists can achieve 10-12 mph average very quickly with limited training. More experienced, short-medium distance (say 20-30 miles): average 15-16 mph. Reasonable experience, medium (say 40 miles): average around 16-19 mph.
Do cyclists poop themselves?
As races became more competitive, riders would still stop to use the bathroom but the other riders would not stop as well. Today, nobody stops for anything short of the apocalypse and having to poop does not count as apocalyptic. So What Do They Do Now? Today, elite athletes will just poop their pants and continue on.
How fast do pro cyclists sprint?
The average speed during professional road cycling sprints is 63.9kph (53.7-69.1kph) sustained for between 9 and 17 seconds for men, and 53.8kph (41.6-64kph) for 10-30 seconds for women.
How fast is Chris Froome?
He called the session “emptying the tank”. The Brit rode for 168.79 miles, or just over 270km and he competed the ride in just under seven hours (6h 59m 44s). What makes this ride even more amazing is Froome's average speed. That's an average speed of 27.8mph or 44.8kmph.
How fast do Olympic cyclists go?
Over the last several years, the winner of the tour has posted an overall average speed of right around 25mph (40kmph)–but that encompasses an entire tour. Uphill, downhill, time trial, flatland, it's all averaged at 25mph. A little faster than us. A little.
Is 20 miles a lot on a bike?
—I've determined that 20 miles is a ride length you can easily tailor to fit any fitness scenario. If you've let yourself go and haven't touched the bike for a while, 20 miles is still eminently manageable, and a few rides at that length will get you back into decent shape.
What is a good 20 mile bike ride time?
On average, it will take you an hour and forty minutes to finish a 20-mile biking distance. Of course, this is possible if you have a healthy physique, reliable bike, and average terrain. To understand these factors fully, read our guide below.
Is 45 fast on a bike?
Professional cyclists can achieve a 45-MPH top speed on a bike using only raw power to propel themselves over the road, facing the wind.
Is cycling better than running?
The number of calories you burn in either exercise depends on the intensity and length of time you do it. In general, running burns more calories than cycling because it uses more muscles. However, cycling is gentler on the body, and you may be able to do it longer or faster than you can run.
Do heavier cyclists descend faster?
'When you increase the mass the speed increases by cubic function, whereas if you increase the aerodynamic drag the speed decreases by a square function. Hence why cyclists who are heavier can go faster,' Fonda says.
Do cyclists wear diapers?
Competitive cyclists, they said, do not wear underpants because they become uncomfortable and can chafe during a stage. Despite long days in the saddle, travelling through some of France's most beautiful countryside, Wynants admitted he has little time for enjoying the scenery.
Do Tour de France riders sleep?
Condensed Answer: The Tour De France consists of stages requiring constant relocation. Thus, the riders sleep in hotels near the race during the night and in incredibly modern and futuristic buses when traveling.
Can a female ride in the Tour de France?
The event broadcasted the details of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes, the highly anticipated new stage race for pro women. The eight-day Tour de France Femmes will replace the old La Course by le Tour de France, which was a single-day event held in various locations across from 2014 until 2021.
Is cycling uphill good for you?
Cycling uphill is a full body workout, as it strengthens your legs, upper body, and core. Uphill cycling physically challenges your muscles to undergo an intense workout as you push on and fight up the climb.
How heavy is a Tour de France bike?
Today, bikes weigh in at just under 15 pounds—but not any lower, since the UCI's minimum bike weight is 6.8kg, which translates to 14.99 pounds.