The Tour de France is undoubtably the biggest bike race in the world – and the prize pot on offer certainly reflects that.
In 2019, the total prize money available was €2,291,700 – a slight increase on the €2,287,750 of 2018.
The greatest prize of all is to wear the yellow jersey on the final day in Paris – and alongside a warm glow (and maybe an increase in annual salary) Egan Bernal (Ineos) also earns €500,000 (£426,500) plus €500 for every day spent in the leader’s position.
All other wearers of yellow, mostly Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) at this year’s Tour, will get €300 for each day they guard the honour and everyone down to number 160 gets something, albeit €1,000 from position 20.
Stage winners aren’t just racing for glory, either, receiving €11,000, with cash extending down to 20th place – the recipient of which may out-sprint 21st for €300.
Stages – aside from time trials – include intermediate sprints and classified climbs. In the sprints, the winner gets €1,500, extending to €1,000 for second and €500 for third.
The financial gain on the climbs depends upon the degree awarded to the incline itself; if it’s an HC (hors catégorie) ascent, the first over the line gets €800, if it’s category one it’s €650, category two is €500, three is €300 and category four is €200. Higher prizes are on offer on the Col du Tourmalet (stage 14) and Col de l’Iseran (stage 19) – where first rider up gets €5,000.
The most combative rider is not to be forgotten, he gets €2,000 on the stage and the most aggressive overall, this year it’s Alaphilippe, gets a profitable €20,000 for his efforts while the best young rider on each stage pockets €500.
| GC winner | Prize money (€) | Stage winners | Prize money (€) |
| 1 | 500,000 | 1 | 11,000 |
| 2 | 200,000 | 2 | 5,500 |
| 3 | 100,000 | 3 | 2,800 |
| 4 | 70,000 | 4 | 1,500 |
| 5 | 50,000 | 5 | 830 |
| 6 | 23,000 | 6 | 780 |
| 7 | 11,500 | 7 | 730 |
| 8 | 7,600 | 8 | 670 |
| 9 | 4,500 | 9 | 650 |
| 10 | 3,800 | 10 | 600 |
| 11 | 3,000 | 11 | 540 |
| 12 | 2,700 | 12 | 470 |
| 13 | 2,500 | 13 | 440 |
| 14 | 2,100 | 14 | 340 |
| 15 | 2,000 | 15 | 300 |
| 16 | 1,500 | 16 | 300 |
| 17 | 1,300 | 17 | 300 |
| 18 | 1,200 | 18 | 300 |
| 19 | 1,100 | 19 | 300 |
| 20-160 | 1,000 | 20 | 300 |
Those racing for classifications aside from the overall and stage wins are chasing monetary carrots on sticks, too.
Those winning or placing in the top eight in the mountains, points or young rider competition get a payout, and teams to the top five benefit from anywhere between €50,000 and €8,000.
| Position | Points prize money (€) | Mountains | Young rider | Teams |
| 1 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 20,000 | 50,000 |
| 2 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 30,000 |
| 3 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| 4 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 12,000 |
| 5 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 8,000 | |
| 6 | 3,000 | 3,000 | ||
| 7 | 2,500 | 2,500 | ||
| 8 | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||
| TOTAL | 65,000 | 65,000 | 50,000 | 120,000 |
Who won the most cash in 2019?
Team Ineos picked up the biggest slice of the pie, courtesy of having two members on the general classification podium, collecting a total of €799,200.
Team Ineos and Jumbo-Visma lead the peloton at the 2019 Tour de France (GodingImages/PA Images)
Taking second place, was Jumbo-Visma, who had Steven Kruijswijk on the third step of the podium, with a total of €203,400.
Deceuninck – Quick-Step were next, with €189,940 after Julian Alaphilippe spent 14 days in yellow and they picked up three stage wins.
Next up was Bora-Hansgrohe, earning €159,050 with Peter Sagan once again dominating the points classification, picking up a record-breaking seventh green jersey.
In last place was Total Direct Energie – who earned only €17,760 at this year’s Tour.
Tour de France 2019 final prize money
Team Sky €779,200
Jumbo-Visma €203,400
Deceuninck – Quick-Step €189,940
Bora-Hansgrohe €159,050
Lotto-Soudal €134,760
Movistar €132,470
Trek-Segafredo €81,590
Mitchelton-Scott €76,520
Bahrain-Merida €71,890
Groupama-FDJ €60,200
Ag2r La Mondiale €55,140
EF Education First €41,710
Wanty-Gobert €34,940
Sunweb €31,310
CCC €27,250
Astana €24,250
UAE Team Emirates €22,930
Arkéa-Samsic €22,800
Cofidis €21,170
Dimension Data €19,300
Katusha-Alpecin €18,220
Total Direct Energie €17,760
