The Tour de France is cutting its prize money in 2026: here's how the 2.3 million euros will be distributed

The economic prizes, which always generate great interest among fans, amount to a total of 2,305,500 euros for 2025. The winner of the general classification will take home the jackpot, pocketing 500,000 euros.

El Tour will slightly reduce its prize money in 2026

Although the differences are minimal, the Tour de France will distribute less prize money than in the previous edition. The organizers have set a total prize pool of 2,302,800 euros, compared to 2,305,250 euros in 2025.

The reduction is just 2,450 euros, a figure that is practically symbolic within the race’s budget, but it marks the first small downward adjustment following the slight increase recorded last year.

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Despite this, the Tour remains the cycling race with the largest prize purse on the international calendar, and the prize money for the main classifications and stage victories remains unchanged.

How much does a cyclist earn in the Tour de France?

The yellow jersey is the greatest trophy in cycling. The cyclist who conquers it has the honor of inscribing their name in the history of this sport after long days of exhausting suffering. Winning the Tour de France may be an indescribable milestone, but in this case, glory comes accompanied by a good sum of money. Despite cycling moving figures that are far from the numbers of other sports, the Tour is the race that distributes the largest prize money on the calendar.

Beyond the contracts of the big stars, the rest of the peloton earns a more modest salary. Hence the importance of economic prizes, as it is common for them to be distributed among all team members -cyclists, assistants, mechanics, and other members.

General classification prizes

This category distributes the largest amounts of money and the organization aims to reward all those who cross the finish line on the last day of the race.

• Winner: 500,000 euros
• 2nd: 200,000 euros
• 3rd: 100,000 euros
• 4th: 70,000 euros
• 5th: 50,000 euros
• 6th: 25,000 euros
• 7th: 11,500 euros
• 8th: 7,600 euros
• 9th: 4,500 euros
• 10th: 3,800 euros
• 11th-19th: between 3,000 and 1,100 euros
• Rest of riders who finish the race: 1,000 euros

In addition, for each stage that a rider wears the yellow jersey, they will receive 500 euros.

Stage prizes

All stages distribute the same amount of money, regardless of difficulty, type, day, or any other distinction.

• Winner: 11,000 euros
• 2nd: 5,500 euros
• 3rd: 2,800 euros
• 4th: 1,500 euros
• 5th: 830 euros
• 6th: 780 euros
• 7th: 730 euros
• 8th: 670 euros
• 9th: 650 euros
• 10th: 600 euros
• 11th-20th: between 540 and 300 euros

Points classification prizes: green jersey

Another of the well-endowed prizes, awarded to the rider with the most points.

• Winner: 25,000 euros
• 2nd: 15,000 euros
• 3rd: 10,000 euros
• 4th: 4,000 euros
• 5th: 3,500 euros
• 6th-8th: between 3,000 and 2,000 euros

In addition, for each stage that a rider wears the green jersey, they will receive 300 euros. Regarding intermediate sprints, a prize of 1,500 euros is awarded to the winner, 1,000 euros to the second, and 500 euros to the third.

Mountain classification prizes: polka dot jersey

One of the most coveted and historically prized jerseys.

• Winner: 25,000 euros
• 2nd: 15,000 euros
• 3rd: 10,000 euros
• 4th: 4,000 euros
• 5th: 3,500 euros
• 6th-8th: between 3,000 and 2,000 euros

In addition, for each stage that a rider wears the polka dot jersey, they will receive 300 euros.

Beyond the general mountain classification, the organization has established different economic prizes based on the difficulty of each climb, which will also award different points for the overall mountain classification.

The Tour also offers the Souvenir Henri Desgrange, which is awarded to the rider who first surpasses the highest peak of the race -this time it will be awarded at the Cime de la Bonette, at 2,802 meters, in stage 19-. The prize amounts to 5,000 euros.

On the other hand, there is another special prize called Souvenir Jacques Goddet, which is given to the rider who climbs the Tourmalet first -this year, in stage 14-. The economic reward is another 5,000 euros.

Youth classification prizes: white jersey

Only riders under 25 years old can compete for this award.

• Winner: 20,000 euros
• 2nd: 15,000 euros
• 3rd: 10,000 euros
• 4th: 5,000 euros

In addition, for each stage that a rider wears the white jersey, they will receive 300 euros and the best of each day 500 euros.

Combativity classification prizes

The prize for being the most combative rider of each stage amounts to 2,000 euros; the overall winner of this category receives 20,000 euros.

Team classification prizes

This classification is obtained by adding the accumulated time of the three best riders of each team in each stage.

• Winner: 50,000 euros
• 2nd: 30,000 euros
• 3rd: 20,000 euros
• 4th: 12,000 euros
• 5th: 8,000 euros

In addition, each stage is valued at 2,800 euros; there is also a weekly prize of 3,000 euros for the best team rider.

The money doesn't usually end up entirely in the winner's hands

Although the figures may seem very high, it is customary in the Tour de France for all prize money earned during the three weeks of competition to be pooled into a common team fund.

That amount is then distributed among riders, directors, support staff, mechanics, massage therapists, and other members of the team, thereby rewarding the collective effort behind every victory, classification, or jersey.

For this reason, the 500,000 euros received by the Tour winner rarely ends up entirely in the champion’s bank account; rather, it forms part of the internal distribution established by each team.

As you can see, the Tour distributes a large amount of prize money, but what can truly be decisive for a cyclist’s financial standing is the ability to negotiate a new contract after a strong performance in the Tour de France. Here you can take a look at the updated list of the highest-paid cyclists.