The race consisted of a Prologue and seven stages covering a total of 1,098 km (682 mi), starting in Annecy and finishing in Grenoble.

American Levi Leipheimer of Team Gerolsteiner initially captured the overall title and the maillot jaune et bleu ahead of France's Christophe Moreau and Germany's Bernhard Kohl (T-Mobile Team).

Christophe Moreau (AG2R Prévoyance) secured the King of the Mountains competition and the combined classification (winner of the maillot bleu).

[1] After admitting that he had been doping from 1999 to 2007, Levi Leipheimer lost all his results,[2] and no overall winner is recognised by the race organisation.

[3] The 2006 edition featured a feast of climbing, and is considered the ideal race for the Tour de France contenders to hone their form.