What time does Tour de France Stage 18 start, and when to tune in?

Stage 18 of the 2025 Tour de France will begin with the neutralised start at 12:10 (CET), with the flag drop around 12:20 (CET), and the finish is expected around 17:12 (CET). Full live coverage will be available from start to finish.

Follow every move of stage 18 live at Domestique!

Stage 18 is the queen stage of the 2025 Tour de France, and it’s easy to understand why when you look at the race profile.

Beginning in Vif, the peloton will tackle three iconic climbs in the Alps, the Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine and the recently discovered Col de la Loze across 171.5 kilometres, featuring over 5,500 metres of climbing. This is set to be one of the toughest stages in recent TDF history.

Both the Col du Glandon (21.7km at 5.1%) and Col de la Madeleine (19.2km at 7.9%) are super long climbs with savage gradients throughout and take the riders over 2,000 metres above sea level.

Despite only making its Tour de France debut in 2020 and returning once since, in 2023, the Col de la Loze has established a reputation for being one of the toughest climbs in the Tour de France full stop.

Read our full preview here.

When should you tune in? (Based on 35km/h schedule)

• Intermediate sprint at Rioupéroux: 147.8km to go - Around 12:53
• Col du Glandon: 109.2km to go - Around 13:15
• Col de Madeleine: 66.9km to go - Around 14:35
• Last 20km - Around 16:20

All times in CET

The first part of an Alpine double-header, stage 18 to the Col de la Loze includes three HC climbs and some 5,472 metres of total elevation gain. There hasn't been a Tour stage with this much elevation gain since 2013. 

Tadej Pogacar will doubtless seek revenge for his collapse on the Col de la Loze in 2023, while Jonas Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike will surely throw caution to the wind as they bid to make up a 4:15 overall deficit. 

Expect a big fight for the break on the Col du Glandon, attritional racing over the Col de la Madeleine - and then a head-to-head between Pogacar and Vingegaard on the mighty Col de la Loze, the highest point of the 2025 Tour.

Tadej Pogačar leads Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) by 4:15, whilst Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) sits third at 9:03 

Jonathan Milan leads the points classification whilst Pogačar also leads the mountains classification, tied on 60 points with Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious). Lipowitz is still the leader in the youth classification whilst Visma are top of the team standings.

Everything you need to know from the last 24 hours of the Tour de France:

• Jonathan Milan powers to sprint win as crash mars finale in Valence
• 'I'm a bit more relaxed' - Milan builds crucial buffer on Pogacar in green jersey fight
• Tim Merlier criticises fellow sprinters - 'There are a few names I’d rather not sit behind'
• Pogacar braced for miserable conditions as Tour hits Alps
• Police officer tackles intruder moments before Tour stage finish
• Pogacar's key domestique Politt rejects criticism of behaviour
• Route 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift - Ultimate stage-by-stage guide
• Johan Bruyneel hits back at UCI statement on Tour visi

The 2025 Tour de France is being broadcast in over 190 countries. In the table below, you can find the broadcasters for the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.

Do you want to know more about the broadcaster for your county? Visit our 'How to watch the 2025 Tour de France' guide.' This guide includes the full TV schedule, live stream options, and a country-by-country broadcaster list.