Overview
- Organisers expanded the escort to nearly 30 motorcycles, with 20 gendarmerie bikes dedicated to the race bubble and additional civilian “flamme jaune” motos to secure intersections.
- Traffic holds were lengthened from 10 to 20 minutes before riders pass, with some stretches shut an hour early and no counter-flow reopening on finishing circuits between laps.
- The Préfecture du Gard coordinated communes to deploy more signallers, which the race says effectively doubles posts, and approved a rare 1.2 km use of the N113 on stage 2.
- This 56th edition runs February 4–8 on a flatter route without Mont Bouquet, with several top teams absent after 2025 while Decathlon CMA CGM renewed contact.
- Rain is forecast for the opening stages and wind is expected to shape racing, with broadcast on L’Équipe and contenders including Dylan Groenewegen, Dylan Teuns, Paul Lapeira, and Maxime Decomble.