How do time cuts work in the Tour de France?

Astana Qazaqstan Team's British rider Mark Cavendish (C) cycles to the finish line flanked by teammates, ahead of the broom wagon vehicle, just within the cutoff time during the 14th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France
Tour de France: Mark Cavendish fighting to avoid being time cut on stage 14 of the 2024 Tour de France (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Tour de France is arguably one of the toughest challenges in elite sport – three weeks in the saddle, riding 5-6 hours a day, along thousands of kilometres of roads and ascending some of Europe’s most iconic (and savage) peaks.

While the media attention focuses on the action at the front of the race, there’s little consideration given to those at the back, who are embroiled in their own battle – trying to avoid the infamous time cut.

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2025 Tour de France stage time limits

Stage

Coefficient

1

1

2

2

3

1

4

2

5

6 (ITT)

6

3

7

2

8

1

9

1

10

4

11

2

12

4

13

6 (ITT)

14

4

15

2

16

3

17

1

18

5

19

5 +2%

20

3

21

1

Katy Madgwick is a freelance writer and broadcaster, covering multiple disciplines across both men's and women's pro cycling. Head of Creators at Domestique Cycling, Katy has written for a broad range of publications, and is a regular contributor to Cyclist Magazine, Cyclingnews, TNT Sports and The Roadbook Cycling Almanack. 

On the broadcast side, she is a co-host of the On Yer Bike podcast, occasional contributor to BBC Radio, and features on CADE Media's Pro Show podcast for the first time in 2025.

She is a lover of all things French and a cyclo-cross obsessive, and probably ought to get on her actual bike more often.

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