The FREE 2026 Tour de France manager is live - How the game works and Top 5 picks
CyclingSaturday, 04 July 2026 at 09:57
The Tour de France 2026 is set to get underway on Saturday afternoon as fans look forward to three weeks of action including a Barcelona Grand Depart, sprint finishes, punchy hills and high mountains.
We've just launched CyclingUpToDate's FREE Tour de France Manager to give you a chance to construct a team of Tour de France contenders, pick your team for every stage, and rack up points - then compare it to all players or join sub-leagues with friends, colleagues, and family.
Here's how the game works
This game is simple: You have a budget of 400 million euros to select 25 riders for your main team. With every stage, you are able to select 8 riders and put your substitutions in order. Only the riders in your stage team will score points during that stage.
You are able to select your stage team till the start of a stage, meaning that savvy players will be able to log in and update their selections before each stage - giving them the best chances to tailor their team and score more points.
When a rider drops out before the stage start, he will be replaced by the next substitute still in the race. The top 25 of every stage score points. Also the top 25 of the Final Classifcation of the race score points.
These General Classification points are awarded at the end of the final stage. All 25 riders of your main team will score points if they end up in the top 25.
Go directly to the FREE Tour de France Manager!
Here's some of our top picks:
Tadej Pogacar (€60 million)
It's no secret that Tadej Pogacar is the favourite to win the 2026 Tour de France, and should rack up a considerable amount of points over the next three weeks.
So much so that he's the most expensive rider in the game and is chosen by an incredible 99.3% of players already.
Tim Merlier (€18.8 million)
One of the green jersey favourites and fancied to be a top contender in every bunch sprint, Tim Merlier could rack up swathes of points throughout the race. Although a top sprinter, his value is a little lower than some others - making him an attractive pick. 89.6% of players agree as they put him in their teams.
Quinn Simmons (€5.1 million)
Simmons' dream is to win a stage of the Tour de France, and he knows exactly where to do it - in the breakaway. The US national champion was synonymous with the break last year and should be finding his way into plenty this time around.
If you pick him and he scores a breakaway win, you'll stick out from the bunch. For a cheap price tag and just 27.7% of players choosing him, it's worth a punt.
Jonas Vingegaard (€47.8 million)
The second most expensive in the game and also fans' second favourite to win the yellow jersey. Jonas Vingegaard comes to La Grand Boucle in form and the Giro d'Italia champion.
Pogacar may be favourite but Vingegaard will always be at least in his shadow over the next three weeks and bound to pick up points. 91.5% of players agree.
Luke Plapp (€5 million)
Another rider that won't set you back much in the game, but is set to be on TV screens plenty over the next three weeks. The Australian's versatility make him a potential candidate for many stages.
At just €5 million, he's a good rider to bulk out any team and could offer plenty of points over three weeks.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Huge huge fan of Remco, and this I would agree with.anonymouscyclist04-07-2026
- Cycling's getting like football punditry..
leedorney04-07-2026 - Just a thought, but with Ben O'Connor leaving Jayco and the team seeking increased investment from the UAE, he may be a standout leader with complete team focus and support. It would see Jayco return to the days of the Yates boys.whit2pet04-07-2026
- I don't think Jayco will be upset. His form over the past two seasons has been below par. The team will probably cease to exist after 2027 anyway.whit2pet04-07-2026
- The same thing as Cian for Movistar, who seems to get a headline a week with zero accomplishmentsmij04-07-2026
- Remind me again what Ben has done lately to warrant all this hype?frieders303-07-2026
- Even with Onley they’d be fortunate to get in the top 5, hate to say it but it saves them embarrassment not to have to try for GCJumpyjohn03-07-2026
- A team that can afford his salaryJumpyjohn03-07-2026
- You always manage to make me laugh. You are such a funny man.MajorPayne03-07-2026
- And this is relevant to the article in what way?
Rafionain-Glas03-07-2026
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