Planning your July around the Tour de France has gotten complicated with all the streaming platforms and time zones to navigate. As someone who’s organized viewing schedules across multiple time zones for years, I learned everything there is to know about catching every important stage live. Today, I will share it all with you.
Missing the crucial mountain stages because of time zone confusion is a tragedy no cycling fan should endure.
2025 Tour de France: Key Dates
The 2025 Tour runs from Saturday, July 5 through Sunday, July 27. That’s 21 stages across 23 days with two rest days on July 14 and 21.
The Grand Depart location and full route get announced in late October or early November of the preceding year. Check official Tour channels for confirmed stage details.
Typical Stage Timing (Central European Time)
Understanding the general daily schedule helps you plan across any time zone.
Flat/Sprint Stages: Usually start around 12:00-13:00 CET, finish around 17:00-17:30 CET. Total racing time approximately 4-5 hours.
Medium Mountain Stages: Similar timing to flat stages, sometimes starting slightly earlier due to longer distances.
High Mountain Stages: Often start earlier (11:30-12:00 CET) to allow for longer racing time, finishing around 17:00-17:30 CET.
Time Trials: Riders start at intervals throughout the day. First rider might start at 13:00 CET, GC contenders typically start last around 16:30-17:00 CET, finishing by 18:00 CET.
Time Zone Conversions
United States
Eastern Time (ET): Stages typically finish between 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET. Mountain stage finales usually happen 10:00-11:00 AM ET.
Pacific Time (PT): Stage finishes around 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM PT. Early morning, but manageable for dedicated fans.
Set your alarm for 45 minutes before typical finish times. This catches the final climbs on mountain stages when the action peaks.
United Kingdom/Ireland
British Summer Time (BST): Stages finish around 16:00-17:30 BST. Perfect afternoon viewing, often finishing just as the workday ends.
That’s what makes the Tour endearing to us British fans — mountain stage finales hit during late afternoon tea time. Ideal scheduling.
Australia
Australian Eastern Time (AEST): Stage finishes occur around 01:00-01:30 AM AEST the following day. Not fan-friendly timing at all.
Many Australian fans record coverage and watch first thing in the morning while avoiding social media. Others embrace the late-night viewing as a Tour tradition.
Asia
Japan Standard Time (JST): Finishes around midnight – 00:30 JST. Late night but somewhat manageable.
India Standard Time (IST): Finishes around 20:30-21:00 IST. Excellent prime-time viewing for Indian fans.
Key Stages to Prioritize
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. If you can’t watch every stage live, here’s what matters:
High Mountain Stages: Typically stages 8-12 and 15-20 include major mountain passes where GC battles are decided. Must-watch live.
Individual Time Trials: Usually 2-3 per Tour, often decisive for overall classification. The final kilometers as GC contenders start are essential.
Stage 1: Always exciting with nervous energy, crashes, and early drama. Sets the tone for the entire Tour.
Final Weekend: Stage 20 is typically the last GC opportunity. Stage 21 (Champs-Elysees) is ceremonial but spectacular.
Where to Watch
United States: Peacock (NBC Universal streaming) carries comprehensive Tour coverage.
United Kingdom: ITV4 provides free-to-air coverage. Discovery+/Eurosport offers enhanced coverage with additional options.
Australia: SBS provides free coverage. Discovery+/Eurosport available via subscription.
Global: GCN+ (where available) offers extensive cycling coverage including Grand Tours.
Second Screen Experience
Enhance viewing with live timing, Twitter/X commentary from cycling journalists, and race radio recreations on certain platforms.
The official Tour de France app provides live tracking with GPS positions of all riders — incredibly useful for understanding race situations that television coverage might miss.
Planning Your Schedule
For major mountain stages, consider taking a half-day or extending your lunch break. These stages produce the Tour’s most memorable moments, and watching live is irreplaceable.
Record flat/sprint stages for evening viewing if morning/afternoon scheduling doesn’t work. Sprint finishes are exciting but less likely to produce Tour-defining drama.
Mark rest days on your calendar — use these to catch up on any missed stages and prepare for the racing intensity that follows.
