Tour de France 2019: When does the race start, where is the Grand Depart, key dates, plus route and stage guide

Geraint Thomas will return as the reigning champion after his storming ride to the yellow jersey last year

The 2019 Tour de France is fast approaching in what has been dubbed the “highest race in history” by organisers.

Geraint Thomas will return as the reigning champion after his storming ride to the yellow jersey last year, but this time he will not have Team Ineos ally Chris Froome by his side following the four-time winner’s serious crash at the Criterium du Dauphine.

Thomas has recovered from his own crash at the Tour de Suisse and will be supported primarily by the in-form Colombian Egan Bernal, who went on to win in Switzerland – though the talented 22-year-old may have one eye on the big prize himself.

But he will face stiff competition from a range of different riders with different styles in what has been billed as one of the most open contests for years. Vincenzo Nibali, Jakob Fugslang, Adam Yates and Richie Porte have all been sounded as potential winners.

Here’s they key things you need to know.

When does the Tour de France start and end?

The 2019 race starts on Saturday 6 July and finishes in Paris Sunday 28 July.

Where is the Grand Depart?

The Tour de France begins in Brussels on the 50th anniversary of Eddy Merckx’s first victory.

What are the key Tour de France dates?

The first rest day comes on Tuesday 16 July in Albi, marking the end of a gruelling opening week and a half which includes a summit finish on La Planches des Belles Filles.

Friday 18 July sees the peloton take on a 27km individual time trial, and two brutal climbing days through the Pyrenees follow before the final rest day.

From there some brutal Alpine climbs pepper the road to Paris, with stage 20’s climb to Val Thorens on Saturday 27 July set to act as the stage where the winner will be crowned.