Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleThe Tour de France has published the number of points available for the green jersey per stage in the official rules document. Compared to last year, the most significant change is that categories one and two have been separated by A.S.O., which, in theory, should benefit the pure sprinters.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last year, Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel were in contention for the green jersey, mainly because of how they tackled the Category 2 stages. On several occasions, they took risks on those stages to pick up 50 or 30 points at the finish line for the points classification.
This year, Category 1—the easiest stages, designated by the A.S.O. as obstacle-free—has been separated from Category 2. Whereas last year the winner of a completely flat stage received 50 points, that number is now 70. Adjustments have also been made to the lower-ranked stages to make the green jersey more attractive to sprinters.
The riders in 2nd and 3rd place will also receive 50 and 40 points, respectively, while the rider in 5th place in such stages receives the same number of points as the rider in 2nd place in Category 2 stages: 30. The 10th-place finisher also receives 18 points, which is the same as the 4th-place finisher in a Category 2 stage.
Read more below the photo.
Mathieu van der Poel in the green jersey: that seems less likely in this Tour.
The other categories—the hill and mountain stages and time trials—remain unchanged. This means that a maximum of 30 and 20 points, respectively, are still up for grabs in those categories. The maximum number of points for the intermediate sprint, which is awarded each day, also remains at 25.
So which stages of the Tour de France have been classified as “very easy”? That applies to stages 5, 7, 8, 11, and 12. The stage to Paris, just like Stage 4 to Foix and Stages 13 and 17, has been classified as second category. In practical terms, this means that the Pogacars and Van der Poels can “only” earn 50 points instead of 70 in Paris.
Read more below the photo.
Obstacle-Free Rides: Tour de France 2026 (Category 1) – Stages 5, 7, 8, 11, and 12
70-50-40-35-30-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2 points for the first 18 riders.
Stages with slightly hilly terrain in the 2026 Tour de France (Category 2) – Stages 4, 13, 17, and 21
50-30-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 points for the first 15 riders
Stages with hilly terrain in the 2026 Tour de France (Category 3) - Stages 2, 3, 9, 18
30-25-22-19-17-15-13-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2 points for the top 15 riders
Mountain stages of the 2026 Tour de France (categories 4 and 5) - stages 6, 10, 14, 15, 19, 20
20-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points for the top 15 riders
Tour de France 2026 Time Trials (Category 6) - Stage 16
20-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points for the top 15 riders
Intermediate Sprints in the 2026 Tour de France—every stage, except for the time trial
25-20-16-14-12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points for the top 15 riders
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Track World Championships day 2: A golden day for Team GB, Levreysen goes 2 for 2, and Kopecky eliminates the competition
Rumours, speculation and guesswork: 2027 Tour de France route will be revealed live on October 22 in Paris
Latest Cycling News
'We have other promising young riders': Bahrain Victorious issues ultimatum to disappointing Tiberi
Cameron Mason brushes off Vanthourenhout's angry abuse : 'A taste of his own medicine'
'I'm in pain- I'm dying': The horror story of medical mistreatment in Oman hospital from recovering Cofidis rider
Wout van Aert's 2027 Calendar | There is one big title missing from his list of wins...
2026 Men's European Cyclocross Championships Preview | Belgium dominates the start list
Popular Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar isn't especially impressed by the 2027 Tour de France route: 'Its always more or less the same'
Which former pro has run the fastest marathon: Tom Dumoulin versus Lance Armstrong, Adam Yates and more
99 steps await the European Cyclocross Championship competitors: 'There’s no hill quite like it'
Cameron Mason brushes off Vanthourenhout's angry abuse : 'A taste of his own medicine'
UAE boss wants to achieve what Visma already has: 'I don't know why it hasn't happened yet'
Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026