Tour of Denmark 2026 stage 3 preview & how to watch on TV in the USA and UK - Can Wout Van Aert survive the queen stage?
CyclingThursday, 30 July 2026 at 19:18
The Tour of Denmark will be taking place from the 29th of July to the 2nd of August. After the Tour de France, it is the first high-level stage race, suiting several different types of riders in a traditionally explosive race. Below, you'll find the stages, profiles, and information on how to watch the race live and on TV, including coverage in the UK and the USA.
The event was first held in 1985, won by Moreno Argentin in its first edition. The race was won by many of Denmark's greatest, including Kim Andersen, Bjarne Riis, Rolf Sorensen, Jakob Fuglsang, Michael Valgren, and also Mads Pedersen, who is already a three-time winner and the most recent one as well.
The likes of Ivan Basso, Fabian Cancellara, Wout Van Aert and Remco Evenepoel are also amongst the very illustrious list of winners from the 'Danmark Rundt'. It is a race traditionally suited to the sprinters and classics specialists whilst also occasionally featuring time trials that decide the overall classification.
Tour of Denmark 2026 Schedule and start times
The 2026 Tour of Denmark will be held from the 29th of July to the 2nd of August. Stage dates and times (in Central European Time: CET) are as follows:
| Stage | Day | Date | Start Time | Finish time |
| Stage 1 | 29 July | Wednesday | 13:30 | 17:50 |
| Stage 2 | 30 July | Thursday | 13:50 | 17:50 |
| Stage 3 | 31 July | Friday | 13:00 | 17:50 |
| Stage 4 | 1 August | Saturday | 14:00 | 17:50 |
| Stage 5 | 2 August | Sunday | 12:45 | 15:30 |
How to watch the 2026 Tour of Denmark on TV
The race will be broadcast on the traditional channels, most notably Discovery, MAX, and Eurosport. As always, you can always follow the 2026 Tour of Denmark on CyclingUpToDate with our full coverage of the race.
In the United States and Canada you will be able to find the race on FloBikes whilst in Denmark TV2 will be broadcasting it. In the UK, there will not be a broadcast from TNT Sports.
| Location | TV |
| United States | FloBikes |
| Canada | FloBikes |
| Denmark | TV2 Denmark |
Preview stage 3 Tour of Denmark
The third stage of the race is also the queen stage. As a training race, I wouldn't necessarily say Wout Van Aert will have Visma sacrifice fully for him, or him demanding it. Both he and Christophe Laporte can win this one and the overall classification then; as the final circuit suits both perfectly - both for a sprint and a late attack.
The Dutch team just have to cover moves on the first circuit with the hard climbs. It's a stage designed for chaos but if you have the strongest team, you can control it somehow. Tibor del Grosso, Toon Aerts and Riley Sheehan are dangerous riders to attack the circuit; whilst Lidl-Trek are the true danger team with two rouleurs in Soren Kragh Andersen and Jakob Soderqvist.
Prediction Tour of Denmark 2026 stage 3:
*** Soren Kragh Andersen, Wout Van Aert
** Christophe Laporte, Tibor del Grosso, Toon Aerts
* Jakob Soderqvist, Riley Sheehan, Rasmus Tiller, Lukas Kubis, Matyas Kopecky, Anders Foldager
Pick: Jakob Soderqvist
How: Solo attack on the final circuit.
Profile stage 3: Fredericia - Velje
Fredericia - Velje, 202.8 kilometers
The race sees its queen stage on the third day, the traditional Velje circuit. Denmark is not a mountainous country, but it provides terrain for those who excel on the shorter ascents to thrive.
The stage is over 200 kilometers long, proving to also be a challenge in distance. The riders have a first circuit in Velje which includes several ascents of a climb that is 700 meters long at 10%, before moving to a second.
There will be four laps of a small urban circuit then leading to the finish which includes two small uphill ramps. They are explosive and technical roads, hard to chase on, and ideal to attack on.
Profile stage 4: Rudkobing - Faaborg
Rudkobing - Faaborg, 172.6 kilometers
The fourth stage of the race begins in the town of Rudkobing and throughout its majority, the route is pan-flat. Towards the finale that changes slightly, providing the opportunity to still change the outcome of the overall classification.
The stage finishing in Faaborg and features a three-lap circuit towards the finish. This includes a climb that is 1.5 kilometers at 3.3% and then 800 meters at 4.9%.
Not very difficult terrain, but it can be a springboard towards late attacks. The last time around sees it end with 7 kilometers to go, mostly with a downhill profile.
Profile stage 5: Koge - Rodovre
Koge - Rodovre, 126.5 kilometers
The race's final stage is short and flat, providing the sprinters with an undeniable opportunity to go for the win.
The day begins in Koge and will only have 126 kilometers in length, finishing in Rodovre with an urban flat circuit where the fast men shouldn't be rivaled.
Previous previews
Prediction Tour of Denmark 2026 overall classification:
*** Christophe Laporte, Jakob Soderqvist
** Wout Van Aert, Soren Kragh Andersen, Riley Sheehan
* Lukas Kubis, Niklas Larsen, Rasmus Tiller, Corbin Strong, Tibor del Grosso, Toon Aerts
Pick: Christophe Laporte
Stage 1 of the race should end in a bunch sprint, however it can't be denied that a late attack has the potential to succeed. Visma has reasons to attack as Wout Van Aert or Christophe Laporte are both well suited to them and they have cards to play.
Both can win in a sprint and they will be rivaled by riders such as Erlen Blikra, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Casper van Uden; but also a few sprinters who can climb quite well such as Tom Crabbe, Lukas Kubis and Corbin Strong who would love a very fast race through the final circuit.
Prediction Tour of Denmark 2026 stage 1:
*** Wout Van Aert, Erlend Blikra, Tom Crabbe
** Ben Oliver, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Jensen Plowright
* Casper Pedersen, Lukas Kubis, Giovanni Lonardi, Corbin Strong, Christophe Laporte, Casper van Uden, Mathieu Kockelmann
Pick: Tom Crabbe
Profile stage 1: Aalborg - Aalborg
Aalborg - Aalborg, 191.8 kilometers
The race begins in Aalborg with a stage that is 191 kilometers long. Whilst pan-flat throughout most of the day, it features a slightly punchy finale with three ascents of a 700-meter long ramp that averages 6%.
They come in close proximity to each other, part of a finishing circuit. The last time through the climb takes place with only 4 kilometers to go, providing an opportunity to disrupt a potential bunch sprint and seeing a surprise on the opening day of the race.
Preview stage 2 Tour of Denmark
Stage 2 of the race is different from the opening day in that it is pan-flat. Whilst the profile shows categorized climbs towards the end, they are not actually climbs; instead only small false-flat sections that won't affect any sprinter in the field.
Wout Van Aert won the opening stage with a convincing performance from Visma. Whilst the field is not the strongest, winning sprints is not the Belgian's strong point but he comfortably beat his rivals on the opening day. Even in a regular bunch sprint, he might do so again and extend his race lead. Lidl-Trek should have a strong leadout for Tim Torn Teutenberg whilst the likes of Erlend Blikra, Tom Crabbe and Ben Oliver will all be potential winners.
Prediction Tour of Denmark 2026 stage 2:
*** Erlend Blikra, Wout Van Aert
** Tom Crabbe, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Ben Oliver
* Lukas Kubis, Enrico Zanoncello, Milan Menten, Giovanni Lonardi, Mathieu Kockelmann, Milan Menten, Casper van Uden, Jensen Plowright
Pick: Wout Van Aert
List of winners Tour of Denmark
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd |
| 2025 | PEDERSEN Mads | SÖDERQVIST Jakob | LARSEN Niklas |
| 2024 | DE LIE Arnaud | CORT Magnus | FOLDAGER Anders |
| 2023 | PEDERSEN Mads | SKJELMOSE Mattias | CORT Magnus |
| 2022 | LAPORTE Christophe | SHEFFIELD Magnus | SKJELMOSE Mattias |
| 2021 | EVENEPOEL Remco | PEDERSEN Mads | TEUNISSEN Mike |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) | - | - |
| 2019 | LARSEN Niklas | VINGEGAARD Jonas | QUAADE Rasmus |
| 2018 | VAN AERT Wout | QUAADE Rasmus | NORMAN LETH Lasse |
| 2017 | PEDERSEN Mads | VALGREN Michael | PEDERSEN Casper |
| 2016 | VALGREN Michael | CORT Magnus | WÜRTZ SCHMIDT Mads |
| 2015 | JUUL-JENSEN Christopher | BAK Lars Ytting | MARCATO Marco |
| 2014 | VALGREN Michael | BAK Lars Ytting | BOARO Manuele |
| 2013 | KELDERMAN Wilco | BAK Lars Ytting | BRESCHEL Matti |
| 2012 | WESTRA Lieuwe | NAVARDAUSKAS Ramūnas | BOARO Manuele |
| 2011 | GERRANS Simon | BENNATI Daniele | MØRKØV Michael |
| 2010 | FUGLSANG Jakob | TUFT Svein | BUSCHE Matthew |
| 2009 | FUGLSANG Jakob | BIONDO Maurizio | HAMMOND Roger |
| 2008 | FUGLSANG Jakob | CUMMINGS Steve | STAMSNIJDER Tom |
| 2007 | ARVESEN Kurt-Asle | GASPAROTTO Enrico | BRESCHEL Matti |
| 2006 | CANCELLARA Fabian | O'GRADY Stuart | ZIEGLER Thomas |
| 2005 | BASSO Ivan | ARVESEN Kurt-Asle | SUTHERLAND Rory |
| 2004 | ARVESEN Kurt-Asle | VOIGT Jens | O'GRADY Stuart |
| 2003 | LANG Sebastian | VAN GOOLEN Jurgen | BROCHARD Laurent |
| 2002 | PIIL Jakob Storm | ARVESEN Kurt-Asle | BODROGI László |
| 2001 | MILLAR David | KIRSIPUU Jaan | NARDELLO Daniele |
| 2000 | SØRENSEN Rolf | KLÖDEN Andreas | BARTHE Stéphane |
| 1999 | HAMILTON Tyler | SØRENSEN Rolf | HVASTIJA Martin |
| 1998 | STREEL Marc | SØRENSEN Rolf | MEINERT-NIELSEN Peter |
| 1997 | KNAVEN Servais | MEINERT-NIELSEN Peter | SKIBBY Jesper |
| 1996 | GUIDI Fabrizio | SØRENSEN Rolf | RIIS Bjarne |
| 1995 | RIIS Bjarne | HAMBURGER Bo | OZERS Kaspars |
| 1988 | ANDERSON Phil | SØRENSEN Rolf | LILHOLT Søren |
| 1987 | ANDERSEN Kim | SØRENSEN Rolf | LILHOLT Søren |
| 1986 | WORRE Jesper | PEDERSEN Jørgen Vagn | NIJDAM Jelle |
| 1985 | ARGENTIN Moreno | ANDERSEN Kim | DE WILDE Etienne |
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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