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The toughest climbs of the Tour de France 2024

The crucial mountains that could decide who will be wearing the yellow jersey in Nice at the end of the three-week race

Words: India Paine

Mountain passes are what give the Tour de France many of its iconic settings. They are witness to epic battles, legendary tales, and unexpected victories, dating right back to the very start of the race. These climbs have become pivotal in determining the wearer of the coveted yellow jersey, and ultimately, the champion of the prestigious Grand Tour. And while this year's route is more varied that the 2023 edition, the climbs will still have a pivotal role in deciding the victor.

Taking in all France has to offer, including the Alps and the Pyrenees, the 2024 edition of Le Tour features seven mountain stages, four of which include a summit finish. It is safe to say then that this year's route is designed for those who relish the challenges of climbing, and then climbing some more. From the very beginning, stage one presents an explosive opening from Florence to Rimini, with seven category two and three climbs. The first mountain stage then comes as early as stage four – so expect GC battles from the very beginning. 

With so many notorious climbs in the 111th edition of the Tour, as well as some climbs rarely featured throughout the Tour’s history, we’ve highlighted the toughest climbs the riders will have to tackle over the course of the race.

Col du Galibier - stage four

The first mountain test comes early on in the race on stage four as the route crosses the border from Italy into France via the Alps. It’s a triple crowning stage with the riders having to complete the category two Sestrière (39.9km at 3.7%) and Col de Montgenèvre (8.3km at 5.9%), before the hors categorie Col du Galibier (23km at 5.1%). The Galibier is a mountain pass in the southern region of the French Dauphiné Alps and was first introduced into the Tour in 1911. The climb has since then been a backdrop to some memorable Tour stages, most notably in 2011, when the Tour celebrated its 100th anniversary of the mountain range being visited by the peloton. Andy Schleck won the stage that year – the first time the Col du Galibier was featured as the stage’s summit finish. Since then, riders such as Primož Roglič (2017), Nairo Quintana (2019), and Jonas Vingegaard will have fond memories of stage victories featuring the Col du Galibier. 

Col du Galibier by Daniel Hughes 

Being the eighth highest paved roads in the Alps, the Col du Galibier is often the highest point of the race. However, the 2024 edition features an even higher point in the final week. The Col du Galibier will still nonetheless be the climb where the Souvenir Henri Desgrange prize money will be awarded to the first rider to crest the climb. It is set to be a stage that will really separate the cream from the crop as they will climb 3,600 metres over the course of 139.6 kilometres.

Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’adet - stage 14 / first summit finish 

The first summit finish of the race does not arrive until stage 14 when the Pyrenees make its first appearance. The Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’adet is a 10.6km climb at an average gradient of 7.9%, peaking at 11.7% in the climb’s opening ramps. The first time the climb was featured in the race was 50 years ago in 1974, when Raymond Poulidor won the 209km stage. It was last included in the 2014 edition with Rafał Majka winning the stage. Ten years on from its most recent appearance, the beautiful ski town of Saint-Lary 1700 will once again host the Tour finish line, 1,680 metres above sea level. It is a tough climb, made tougher by two monumental ascents before it, and pacing will be vital, especially on the climb’s opening kilometres. 

Col du Tourmalet - stage 14 

The Col du Tourmalet is one of the most famous mountain passes in the Tour de France having been visited the most times throughout the race’s history. It’s not the longest, the steepest or the tallest mountain climbed in the Tour, but perhaps the hardest combination of all three elements. The legendary climb, located in the French Pyrenees, made its debut in the Tour in 1910. Octave Lapize was the first to win having conquered its treacherous slopes, at times even dismounting to push his bike up the brutal inclines. Throughout its history, the Tourmalet has served as the finish line only three times, most recently in 2019, where Thibaut Pinot triumphed, delighting his French supporters on one of the country's most hallowed climbs. Prior to this, the Tourmalet hosted the finish in 2010, when Andy Schleck claimed the win, and 1974, when Jean-Pierre Danguillaume won. 

Col du Tourmalet by Michael Blann 

In this year’s race, the Tourmalet makes its appearance on stage 14, in a stage that goes from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet over 151.9 kilometres, climbing nearly 4,000 metres in elevation. The 19km climb with an average gradient of 7.5%, kicks off a brutal day for the riders as the Tourmalet is the first of three mountains, including the Hourquette d’Ancizan and summit finish to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet. 

Plateau de Beille - stage 15 

Stage 15 is arguably the toughest stage of the race with five mountain passes totalling a whooping 5,000 metres of climbing across 197.7 kilometres. Held on Bastille Day, stage 15 will be a crucial stage and could win or lose someone’s Tour de France. The peloton climbs from the start of the day, with the category one Col de Peyresourde starting from the very beginning. The 6.9km climb at an average gradient of 7.8% will be a prompt reminder of what is to come. The Col de Menté (9.3km at 9.1%) follows, then the Col de Portet-d’Aspet (4.3km at 9.6%) and Col d’Agnes (10km at 8.2%). And if four category one climbs were not enough, the 197.7km-long stage finishes atop the Plateau de Beille, a 15.8km climb at an average gradient of 7.9%. It was first featured in 1998 after being discovered by the Route du Sud (now the Route d’Occitanie) in 1995 and the Tour has since finished at the ski resort in the Ariège department six times. 

Col de la Bonette - stage 19 

Stage 19 will be a prime opportunity for the peloton’s pure climbers to showcase their very best as the riders will take on three climbs that ascend above 2,000 metres. The biggest test of the stage however, will be the Col de la Bonette, which comes at 63km into the stage and after having already climbed the hors categorie Col de Vars. The Col de la Bonette claims to be the highest paved road in Europe (though not strictly speaking a pass), reaching an elevation of 2,802 metres above sea level, and is this year’s roof of the entire race. It is a long, steady climb at 22.9 kilometres long and has an average gradient of 6.8% that slightly steepens near the top of the climb, with a 10.3% sting as the riders crest the summit. 

Col de la Bonette by Michael Blann

Thankfully, for the riders, once they have summited the Col de la Bonette, they’ll be rewarded with an equally long descent to the town of Isola. But it is here that they will be greeted with one final challenge – a 16.1km-long climb to the finish at the Isola 2000 ski resort in the southern French Alps. Only two stages remain of the race by this point, and a stage like this could see some dramatic changes in the GC. 

Col de Turini - stage 20 

The Col de Turini in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France has only been featured in the Tour de France four times: 1948, 1950, 1973 and 2020. However, the mountain pass has never been featured on the penultimate stage of the race. The Col de Turini comes in the middle of stage 20, starting 35km into the day. Overall, the climb is 20.7 kilometers in length and has an average gradient of 5.7%, but is also sandwiched between a category two (Col de Braus) and category one (Col de la Colmiane) climb. The stage is constantly up and down, with little to no respite in the build up to the race’s final summit finish. 

Col de la Couillole - stage 20

And rounding off that relentless stage is the Col de la Couillole – the final summit finish of the three-week race. The category one climb is 15.7km long and has a steady average gradient of 7.1% that, luckily for the riders, remains pretty much level throughout. It has only been featured twice in the Tour – once in 1973 and again in 1975 – but is regular feature in Paris-Nice, so many of the riders in the peloton will know the demands of this climb. The most recent winner atop the Col de la Couillole is Tadej Pogačar in the 2023 edition of the Race to the Sun, who will be hoping he is in the yellow jersey once again at the summit of this climb, just this time, the maillot jaune of the Tour. 

Col de la Couillole by Alex Broadway/SWPix.com

Col d’Eze - stage 21 

Instead of the usual flat procession around Paris, the 2024 Tour de France ends on an individual time trial from Monaco to Nice. And not only that, it is a time trial which sees 650 metres of climbing over 34km. The Col d’Èze will be the major sticking point for many riders who do not boast the same climbing legs as some of their rivals. The climb is halfway through the stage and is 1.6km in length with an average gradient of 8.1%. It is another climb which is a regular feature in Paris-Nice (thought from the longer, harder side), most commonly featuring in the race’s final ITT of years gone by, and now it's final loop around the city. Pacing will be important here before the long downhill stretch into Nice.

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Favorites stage 21 Tour de France 2024 | 35 years after the most exciting Tour day ever, here we go again

A ll good things come to an end, including the Tour de France 2024. For once, we won't finish in Paris, due to the Olympic Games. However, the ASO has found a worthy alternative with a challenging time trial in the city of Nice in the South of France. IDLProCycling.com takes one last look ahead.

Course stage 21 Tour de France 2024

The last time the Tour ended with a time trial was in the legendary 1989 edition. Greg LeMond then settled his score with Laurent Fignon in Paris, who after three weeks of the Tour de France fell just eight seconds short of winning the Tour. 35 years later, we get a new closing time trial, but the chance that it becomes as thrilling as back then... is incredibly slim.

So, what's on the menu? We start in Monaco and finish near the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, that’s the gist of it. But within those 33.7 kilometers, riders also have to conquer 650 meters of elevation, including the climbs of La Turbie and Col d'Eze — ascents that will be well known to Paris-Nice participants and residents of Monaco.

The first two kilometers are flat, but then La Turbie looms. An 8.1-kilometer climb at 5.6 percent with a fairly steady gradient, followed by a short descent. Then we go up to the summit of Col d'Eze, with a climb of 1.6 kilometers at 8.8 percent. After that, the men must push across a plateau before the descent into Nice begins.

Once we reach the French city, there is a short passage along the boulevard. For many riders, it's a moment to enjoy. For a few, it's a last chance to go all out to secure their goals.

11.2 km: LA TURBIE (8.1 km at 5.6%)

Start first rider: 2:40 PM

Finish last rider: around 7:30 PM

Weather stage 21 Tour de France 2024

The wind will blow from the Mediterranean Sea and therefore we will mostly get a crosswind. It’s 28 degrees Celsius with a slight chance of rain, but let's hope for the continuation of this time trial that we stay dry.

Favorites stage 21 Tour de France 2024

One last blast, for part of the peloton at least. Many participants will use this time trial as a sort of cool-down exercise, as there’s little left to win or achieve in this final stage. It’s also commendable, as all these riders have survived some grueling times in the mountains over the past few weeks.

One man who will definitely go all out is Remco Evenepoel . The Belgian of Soudal Quick-Step won the first time trial brilliantly and will want to dot the i's and cross the t's in Nice after his very good Tour de France, where he consistently stayed close to the podium. The world time trial champion has been talking about this challenge for several days now.

One man who could theoretically keep Evenepoel from that victory, barring exceptions, is yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar . The Slovenian of UAE-Team Emirates was already second in the first time trial, is obviously in top form, knows the course well, and could see this as an opportunity to conclude his Tour de France with a resounding victory.

Given the amount of elevation in this time trial, other GC contenders also come into play. Jonas Vingegaard , Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike), Joao Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates) and Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) possess the qualities to potentially finish in the top three.

Climbing specialists like Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates), Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step), Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers), Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), though more known for their climbing, can never be discounted in a time trial. Although Adam and his brother Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) are hard to predict when it comes to time trials.

And finally, we have the pure time trialists, among whom Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) performed well in the first trial. Other strong specialists include Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike), Matteo Sobrero (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R) and Oier Lazkano (Movistar), who can also handle a climb or two.

Favorites stage 21 Tour de France 2024, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorites: Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates)

Outsiders: Jonas Vingegaard, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike), Joao Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates) and Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech)

Long shots : Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike), Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates), Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R), Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny), Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) and Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step)

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Daredevil descending and THAT handshake – 13 best moments of Tour de France 2022

Updated 25/07/2022 at 19:36 GMT

Bradley Wiggins described it as the best Tour de France in his lifetime and it’s hard to disagree. A thrilling three weeks saw Tom Pidcock drop a descending masterclass, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar share a mid-race handshake, and Wout van Aert do just about everything. Felix Lowe takes a look back and picks out the best moments of a pulsating 109th edition of the world’s biggest bike race.

‘Wow’ – Vingegaard allows Pogacar to catch up after crash in ‘incredible’ gesture

Fabio Jakobsen’s maiden Tour stage win

‘jonas…’ - embarrassing moment as pogacar’s rival name read out on podium.

‘What a story’ - Jakobsen completes stunning comeback from coma

Magnus Cort celebrating polka dots like a stage win

‘Brilliant to see’ – Cort delights Danish crowd in polka dots

Van Aert’s attack in Stage 4

‘Deadly demonstration’ – Van Aert conquers Stage 4 after Jumbo-Visma blow race apart

Jumbo-Dismal on cobbles stage

Chaos on the col du galibier.

‘Attack, attack, attack!’ – Jumbo-Visma try to crack Pogacar in thriller

Tom Pidcock’s zippy descent of the Galibier

‘Heart in your mouth’ – Pidcock flies past rivals at terrifying speeds on descent

Michael Matthews' ding-dong battle with Alberto Bettiol

'A Matthews Masterpiece in Mende' - BikeExchange star powers to Stage 14 win

Hugo Houle’s emotional win in Foix

‘For you, Pierrick’ – Houle dedicates win to late brother after winning Stage 16

Vingegaard’s sporting gesture after Pogacar’s crash

Van aert’s final pull on hautacam.

Van Aert powers Vingegaard to cusp of Tour title with explosive attack

First French stage win two days from Paris

‘Phenomenal!’ - Laporte ends French drought with shock Stage 19 win

Le Gac gives Bisseger a swig of water

‘Given up!’ – Bissegger shares drink with rival mid-time trial

Vingegaard and Van Aert's Rocamadour hug

Plus... quote of the race: yves lampaert, stage 12 highlights: bloodied roglic crashes again as girmay secures hat-trick, 'now we can all say it's a fair fight' - pogacar reacts to vingegaard show of strength, watch: roglic crashes on final descent in bid to catch pogacar, vingegaard.

Tadej Pogačar equals Tour de France record after winning penultimate stage ahead of Jonas Vingegaard

Sport Tadej Pogačar equals Tour de France record after winning penultimate stage ahead of Jonas Vingegaard

Tadej Pogačar holds a 5 minute, 14 second lead over Jonas Vingegaard heading into the final stage.

Pogačar equalled Gino Bartali's record of five mountain stage wins, which he achieved in 1948.

What's next?

The final stage starts tonight (AEST) as Pogačar looks to complete the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double.

Tadej Pogačar equalled one Tour de France mark overnight and will likely match another tonight (AEST).

Yellow jersey-holder Pogačar edged defending champion Jonas Vingegaard at the top of Col De La Couillole to win the 20th and penultimate stage and add even more seconds to his considerable lead.

It was a fifth stage victory this month for the two-time champion, who stretched out his arms as he crossed the line before holding up his fingers to signal his number of wins.

The only other man to have won five mountain stages in one Tour was Gino Bartali in 1948.

"If you told me this before the Tour I would not have believed you," Pogačar said. 

"It's out of this world actually. I'm so happy.

"(Five stages) is more than enough. One would be enough. Just the yellow jersey would be enough. But it is how it is, you don't brake in cycling."

Pogačar attacked from the leading duo with 150m remaining and beat Vingegaard by seven seconds.

It will likely be the same positions on the final podium after Pogačar extended his lead to 5 minutes, 14 seconds, over two-time defending champ Vingegaard, his closest rival.

Third-placed Remco Evenepoel lost even more time. He crossed the line in fourth — behind Richard Carapaz — and lost 53 seconds to Pogačar to fall 8:04 behind the Slovenian star.

The Tour ends tonight on the French Riviera with a 34km time trail from Monaco to Nice, and not in Paris as it usually does because of the Olympic Games.

Barring incident, Pogačar is almost certain to reclaim the Tour crown from Vingegaard and in doing so secure a rare Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double. The last rider to win both in the same year was the late Marco Pantani in 1998.

"I enjoyed (the stage) very much," Pogačar said. 

"It didn't go as we planned, but I couldn't be happier with that, another stage win. Just one more day … and tomorrow I think I'm going to enjoy it as well."

ABC Sport will be live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics from July 27

After his explosive attack the previous day, Pogačar said he would not try to win the stage, a short but brutal 133km route from Nice that featured three hard category 1 ascents.

Indeed, the UAE Emirates rider just stayed with the rest of the reduced group of title contenders on the daunting 16km ramp up the Col de la Couillole until Vingegaard made his move and Pogačar sat on the Dane's wheel.

They then swept up the remnants of the breakaway and caught up to the front two of Carapaz and Enric Mas with 2.5km remaining.

First Mas and then Carapaz were dropped, setting up an intriguing battle in the final kilometre between the two cycling stars but it was only a matter of time before Pogačar launched his sprint.

Moments after crossing the line, Pogačar pulled up and waited for Vingegaard to embrace him.

Vingegaard was hospitalised for nearly two weeks in April following a high-speed crash in the Tour of the Basque Country . He resumed competitive racing only on this Tour.

"In some kind of way I was hoping he would give it to me," Vingegaard said. 

"But I knew already that I had been riding so hard, if he would sprint I would have no chance as I was already on my limit.

"But you can always hope. But it's cycling, that's how it is. I don't blame him at all, I would do probably the same. I'm just happy with how I performed today and how I could come back from yesterday."

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Carapaz climbs solo to stage 17 victory on Tour de France, Pogacar retains lead

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Soccer-Fans invade pitch as Argentina rescue 2-2 draw against Morocco

Argentina's Cristian Medina scored a last-gasp goal to salvage what looked like a 2-2 draw with Morocco before fans invaded the pitch and stopped play as confusion reigned on the first day of action in Group B of men's soccer at the Olympics on Wednesday.

Tour de France standings: Race outlook after Stage 18 with three stages left

Stage 18 , a thrilling journey from Gap to Barcelonnette, has kept cycling enthusiasts on the edge of their seats as we enter the final days of the 2024 Tour de France . It's was a stage that brought out the competitive spirit in every cyclist and is a favorite for breakaway artists, which made it a stage where anything can happen.

As we entered Stage 18, Tadej Pogacar held a commanding lead of 3 minutes and 11 seconds over the two-time defending Tour de France champion, Jonas Vingegaard . Remco Evenepoel was in second place, with a 5-minute and 9-second lead over third place, making it a tight race for the podium positions.

During stage 18, a lot of drama kept everyone engaged. Oscar Onley from the DSM-Firmenich-PostNL team experienced two mechanical issues that affected his performance. Meanwhile, Biniam Girmay from UCI WorldTeam Intermarché–Wanty required medical assistance and seemed to be in pain from his crash in stage 16, resulting in stitches to his right elbow and significant swelling in his right knee. Toward the end of the race, Tobias Johnannessen , unfortunately, crashed on the descent, causing him to lose contact with the breakaway group, but he quickly got back on his bike.

Ultimately, Victor Campenaerts from Lotto-dstny, the most aggressive rider of the stage, shocked the field and took Stage 18 and was in tears from joy.

With only two mountain stages and one time trial left in this year's tour, the unpredictability of the competition is palpable, adding to the excitement.

Tour de France Stage 18 results

Tour de france standings, tour de france jersey standings.

• Yellow (general classification) : Tadej Pogačar
• Green (points classification) : Biniam Girmay
• Polka dot (mountains classification) : Tadej Pogačar
• White (young rider classification) : Remco Evenepoel
• Yellow numbers (teams classification) : UAE Team Emirates
• Golden numbers (combativity award) : Richard Carapaz

Tour de France Stage 19: How to watch, schedule, and distance

• Date: July 19, 2024
• Location: Embrun to Isola 2000
• Distance: 88.6 miles (144.6 kilometers)
• Type: Mountain
• Streaming: Peacock , Fubo (free trial)

HOW TO WATCH: Catch the 2024 Tour de France FREE on Fubo

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Tour de France

Tour de France 2024

Tour de France 2024 race news, previews, results, tour map, race tech, analysis, and photos. Follow for breaking on twitter , instagram , or facebook .

Dates: June 29 - July 21 Stages:  21 Rest days: 2 Start:  Florence, Italy Finish:  Nice, France

The 2024 Tour de France will take place June 29 - July 21. The 111th edition of the race starts in Florence, Italy, before crossing back into France for stage 4. In total there are 21 days of racing and two rest-days. The final stage ends in Nice, a highly unusual finish outside of Paris due to the Olympic Games.

Latest Tour de France News

7 hours ago

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/cofidis-blasts-tour-de-france-riders-too-heavy-bike-snub/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Team Cofidis Blasts Tour de France Rider’s ‘Too Heavy’ Bike Snub: ‘This Is Cutting-Edge Equipment’"}}' > Team Cofidis Blasts Tour de France Rider’s ‘Too Heavy’ Bike Snub: ‘This Is Cutting-Edge Equipment’

'My bike is 1kg too heavy': Guillaume Martin didn't use a power meter at the Tour for fear of adding extra weight to his Look 795 bike frame.

9 hours ago

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/top-flops-of-the-2024-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Missing Men, Turgid Transitions, and a Gummed-Up GC: Top Flops of the 2024 Tour de France"}}' > Missing Men, Turgid Transitions, and a Gummed-Up GC: Top Flops of the 2024 Tour de France

History was made and records were broken, but this year's Tour de France wasn't all awesome. Here are the disappointments and duds of a three-star three weeks.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/photo-essay-tour-de-france-week-3-2/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Photo Essay: Tour de France Week 3"}}' > Photo Essay: Tour de France Week 3

There was high action and intense racing through the Alps during the third week of the Tour de France

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/how-far-can-matteo-jorgenson-and-derek-gee-go-after-historic-tour-de-france-top-10-double/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "How Far Can Matteo Jorgenson and Derek Gee Go After Historic Tour de France Top-10 Double?"}}' > How Far Can Matteo Jorgenson and Derek Gee Go After Historic Tour de France Top-10 Double?

North Americans in the Tour de France: 3 Americans and 3 Canadians lit up the race from start to finish with attacks, top-10s, near-misses.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/power-analysis-pogacars-power-numbers-are-the-highest-weve-ever-seen-in-professional-cycling/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Power Analysis: Pogačar’s Power Numbers Are the Highest We’ve Ever Seen in Professional Cycling"}}' > Power Analysis: Pogačar’s Power Numbers Are the Highest We’ve Ever Seen in Professional Cycling

In this column, we dive into the power numbers of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and more at the Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/remco-evenepoel-on-a-emphatic-tour-de-france-debut-sometimes-people-dont-realize-how-much-pressure-is-on-my-shoulders/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Remco Evenepoel on Emphatic Tour de France Debut: ‘Sometimes People Don’t Realize How Much Pressure Is on My Shoulders’"}}' > Remco Evenepoel on Emphatic Tour de France Debut: ‘Sometimes People Don’t Realize How Much Pressure Is on My Shoulders’

Third overall behind Pogačar and Vingegaard marks a stunning debut, but Belgian cycling history tells a cautionary tale.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/pogacars-record-giro-tour-double-tour-de-france-tales-unexpected/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tadej Pogačar’s Record Giro-Tour Double Outdoes Even the Exalted Eddy Merckx"}}' > Tadej Pogačar’s Record Giro-Tour Double Outdoes Even the Exalted Eddy Merckx

Tadej Pogačar finds himself in good company — and has outperformed a certain Eddy Merckx.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/opinion-the-king-of-the-mountains-competition-is-irrelevant-here-are-four-ways-to-refresh-this-tour-de-france-staple/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Opinion: The King of the Mountains Competition Is Irrelevant. Here Are 4 Ways To Refresh This Tour de France Staple"}}' > Opinion: The King of the Mountains Competition Is Irrelevant. Here Are 4 Ways To Refresh This Tour de France Staple

Richard Carapaz is a deserving polka-dot champion, but the points system needs changing and timed segments on climbs could shake up Tour racing.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/records-tears-batman-glasses-and-bunny-hops-the-stories-that-defined-the-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tears, Records, Bunny-Hops and Batman Glasses: The Stories that Defined the Tour de France"}}' > Tears, Records, Bunny-Hops and Batman Glasses: The Stories that Defined the Tour de France

From Cavendish's 35th to high-speed bunny-hops, to Jorgensen's MVP ride and Girmay's breakthrough, here are the best moments of a Tour de France that never stopped delivering.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-prize-money-who-won-big-and-how-its-split-up/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Prize Money: Who Won Big and Who Didn’t"}}' > Tour de France Prize Money: Who Won Big and Who Didn’t

UAE Team Emirates won nearly one-third of the €2,282,200 prize pot, with a surprising name at the bottom of the list.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/amateur-vs-pro-tour-de-france-2024/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Could an Amateur Rider Keep Up With the Tour de France in the Mountains?  "}}' > Could an Amateur Rider Keep Up With the Tour de France in the Mountains?  

We take a look at this year’s L’Étape du Tour winner's performance and see how it compares to the Tour de France peloton.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/jonas-vingegaard-savors-second-at-tour-de-france-with-wide-open-plans-for-rest-of-season/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Jonas Vingegaard Savors Second at Tour de France with Wide Open Plans for Rest of Season"}}' > Jonas Vingegaard Savors Second at Tour de France with Wide Open Plans for Rest of Season

‘To get second in the Tour de France is still a very very big result.’

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tadej-pogacar-rewrites-tour-de-france-history-confirms-no-vuelta-a-espana/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tadej Pogačar Rewrites Tour de France History, Confirms No Vuelta a España"}}' > Tadej Pogačar Rewrites Tour de France History, Confirms No Vuelta a España

Pogačar reached behind his back with his hand to show 1-2-3, a sign of his third yellow jersey by age 25: 'This is the real Tadej.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-21-tadej-pogacar-seizes-his-sixth-stage-win-and-overall-victory/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 21: Tadej Pogačar Seizes His Sixth Stage Win and Overall Victory"}}' > Tour de France Stage 21: Tadej Pogačar Seizes His Sixth Stage Win and Overall Victory

Slovenian tears up TT course, beating Vingegaard and Evenepoel into second and third on stage.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/its-over-mark-cavendishs-epic-tour-de-france-journey-is-complete/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "It’s Over: Mark Cavendish Leaves as the Tour de France’s Greatest Sprinter"}}' > It’s Over: Mark Cavendish Leaves as the Tour de France’s Greatest Sprinter

‘We got a win, and got the win we wanted. Like everything, you live a rollercoaster in the Tour.’ Cavendish's epic Tour journey is over.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/how-santini-makes-custom-tailored-speed-suits-overnight-yellow-jersey-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "How the Yellow Jersey Gets a Custom Tailored Time Trial Speed Suit Made Overnight at the Tour de France"}}' > How the Yellow Jersey Gets a Custom Tailored Time Trial Speed Suit Made Overnight at the Tour de France

All four competition leaders at the Tour have access to custom-tailored apparel from Tour sponsor Santini.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tadej-pogacar-crank-arm-length-choose/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tadej Pogačar is Riding 165mm Crank Arms, But Should You?"}}' > Tadej Pogačar is Riding 165mm Crank Arms, But Should You?

What crank arm lengths do the pros use in the Tour de France?

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/mark-cavendish-in-tears-after-final-tour-de-france-mountains/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Mark Cavendish Cannot Contain The Tears After Trauma of Final Tour de France Mountain Stage"}}' > Mark Cavendish Cannot Contain The Tears After Trauma of Final Tour de France Mountain Stage

'We came here, we did what we set out to achieve.' Record-breaking sprinter survives time cut on Mount Couillole to all but guarantee he sees the finish of his final Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/romain-bardet-goodbye-pushing-best-numbers-finish-top-20/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Romain Bardet Says Goodbye to the Tour de France: ‘I’m Pushing My Best Numbers Just to Finish Top 20’"}}' > Romain Bardet Says Goodbye to the Tour de France: ‘I’m Pushing My Best Numbers Just to Finish Top 20’

Team DSM's French figurehead ‘at peace’ with his career and reflects on how pro cycling has changed ahead of planned retirement in June 2025.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/jonas-vingegaard-satisfied-2024-tour-de-france-performance-2nd-place/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘Second Would Be One of My Greatest Career Results:’ Vingegaard Takes Stock of 2024 Tour de France Performance"}}' > ‘Second Would Be One of My Greatest Career Results:’ Vingegaard Takes Stock of 2024 Tour de France Performance

For the defending Tour winner, a likely podium finish after returning from a nightmare crash is a victory in and of itself.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/remco-evenepoel-lights-up-final-mountain-stage-proud-tried/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Remco Evenepoel Lights Up Final Tour de France Mountain Stage: ‘We Can Be Proud We Tried’"}}' > Remco Evenepoel Lights Up Final Tour de France Mountain Stage: ‘We Can Be Proud We Tried’

Third-placed Belgian reflects on foiled attacks as Vingegaard proves stronger; Soudal Quick-Step team boss Lefevere says Evenepoel has silenced critics with his Tour performances.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-20-tadej-pogacar-outsprints-vingegaard-on-final-mountain-stage/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 20: Tadej Pogačar Stamps Authority on Final Mountain Stage"}}' > Tour de France Stage 20: Tadej Pogačar Stamps Authority on Final Mountain Stage

Slovenian lands fifth stage win of this Tour, Vingegaard bolsters advantage over Evenepoel with final-climb surge.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/someone-has-to-be-at-the-top-pogacar-slaps-back-at-critics-of-tour-de-france-dominance/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘Someone Has To Be At The Top:’ Pogačar Slaps Back at Critics of Tour de France Dominance"}}' > ‘Someone Has To Be At The Top:’ Pogačar Slaps Back at Critics of Tour de France Dominance

'Imagine a sprinter not contesting a sprint stage just to let someone else win': Pogačar's winning ways trigger debate over Cannibal-like supremacy.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/cost-tadej-pogacar-time-trial-bike/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tadej Pogačar’s Tour de France Time Trial Bike Costs How Much!?"}}' > Tadej Pogačar’s Tour de France Time Trial Bike Costs How Much!?

Just how expensive is the time trial bike of the fastest rider in the Tour de France? The short answer: very.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/the-fight-for-the-win-is-over-vingegaard-accepts-tour-de-france-defeat-but-plots-revenge/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘The Fight for the Win is Over:’ Vingegaard Accepts Tour de France Defeat, But Plots Revenge"}}' > ‘The Fight for the Win is Over:’ Vingegaard Accepts Tour de France Defeat, But Plots Revenge

'Mentally this is not a blow:' This Tour de France was one weekend too long and two months too soon for Visma-Lease a Bike.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/pogacar-crushes-another-tour-de-france-climbing-record/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Is This the Best Tadej Pogačar Ever? Tour de France Annihilator Crushes Another Huge Climbing Record"}}' > Is This the Best Tadej Pogačar Ever? Tour de France Annihilator Crushes Another Huge Climbing Record

'This is one of the best versions of me': Pogačar makes new mark on high-altitude Isola 2000 climb, and he's not the only one shattering records at this Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/video-lidl-treks-toms-skujins-talks-us-through-his-new-trek-madone/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Video: Lidl-Trek’s Toms Skujiņš Talks Us Through His New Trek Madone"}}' > Video: Lidl-Trek’s Toms Skujiņš Talks Us Through His New Trek Madone

Lidl-Trek rider Toms Skuijiņš walks us through his new Trek Madone before the Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/it-is-going-to-be-a-good-battle-vingegaard-vs-evenepoel-in-all-out-scrap-for-second-place-at-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘It Is Going to Be a Good Battle’: Vingegaard vs Evenepoel in All-Out Scrap for Second Place at Tour de France"}}' > ‘It Is Going to Be a Good Battle’: Vingegaard vs Evenepoel in All-Out Scrap for Second Place at Tour de France

With Pogačar appearing set for Tour de France win, furious battle is in store for second overall in Nice on Sunday.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/looking-better-than-ever-tadej-pogacar-closes-triumph-amazing-performance/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘It’s Looking Better Than Ever’: Tadej Pogačar Closes On Tour de France Triumph After ‘Amazing’ Performance"}}' > ‘It’s Looking Better Than Ever’: Tadej Pogačar Closes On Tour de France Triumph After ‘Amazing’ Performance

Practice makes perfect: Pogačar climbed Isola 2000 more than 15 times in training. UAE Team Emirates riders and staff reveal what went into race leader's 'perfect' performance on stage 19.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/cavendish-survives-tours-highest-climb-demare-raced-entire-stage-alone-only-to-be-time-cut/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Cavendish Survives Tour’s Highest Climb, Démare Raced Entire Stage Alone Only To Be Time Cut"}}' > Cavendish Survives Tour’s Highest Climb, Démare Raced Entire Stage Alone Only To Be Time Cut

The race jury extended the 'hors délai', but it wasn't enough to save French sprinter Démare who raced over the Tour's highest climb all alone: 'I'm not the type to give up.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/heartbreak-matteo-jorgenson-american-falls-just-short-tour-de-france-stage-19-2024/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘The Tour and I Have a Bad Relationship:’ Heartbreak for Matteo Jorgenson as the American Falls Just Short on Tour de France Stage 19"}}' > ‘The Tour and I Have a Bad Relationship:’ Heartbreak for Matteo Jorgenson as the American Falls Just Short on Tour de France Stage 19

Jorgenson was given the go ahead to contest the stage win after team leader Vingegaard didn’t have the legs to attack Pogačar.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-19-pogacar-powers-past-jorgenson-to-secure-grip-on-yellow-jersey/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 19: Unstoppable Pogačar Powers Past Jorgenson to Put Stamp on Yellow Jersey"}}' > Tour de France Stage 19: Unstoppable Pogačar Powers Past Jorgenson to Put Stamp on Yellow Jersey

Pogačar erases any doubt about who will win this Tour de France as he blows up Visma's ambush plan by dropping Vingegaard on Isola 2000 and spoils Jorgenson's shot at victory.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/wines-2024-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Wines of the 2024 Tour de France"}}' > Wines of the 2024 Tour de France

Seven wine pairings to match the stages of the 2024 Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/130-grams-per-hour-inside-the-wild-carbohydrate-strategy-of-a-tour-de-france-stage-winner/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "130 Grams Per Hour: Inside the Wild Carbohydrate Strategy of a Tour de France Stage-Winner"}}' > 130 Grams Per Hour: Inside the Wild Carbohydrate Strategy of a Tour de France Stage-Winner

Campenaerts' stage-smashing fueling pushes thresholds further than ever before in a Tour de France 'arms race' of nutrition, tech, aerodynamics.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/remco-evenepoel-second-place-stun-vingegaard/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Can Remco Evenepoel Take Tour de France Second Place and Stun Vingegaard?"}}' > Can Remco Evenepoel Take Tour de France Second Place and Stun Vingegaard?

'The legs that will do the talking': Evenepoel predicts Alps fireworks as team insiders give insight into the mature, 'real leader' who loves to race on display at this Tour.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/how-50-million-super-teams-are-transforming-the-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "How $50 Million ‘Super Teams’ Are Transforming the Tour de France"}}' > How $50 Million ‘Super Teams’ Are Transforming the Tour de France

'If you have under $50 million you have no chance to win the Tour de France:' Rising salaries, space-age back-room support, and urgent talent-hunt all driving up budgets to unprecedented levels.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/race-of-truth-is-lie-how-time-trial-setup-optimization-could-add-66-watt-advantage-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "The Race of Truth Is a Lie: How Time Trial Setup Optimization Could Add Up to a 66-Watt Advantage in This Year’s Tour de France"}}' > The Race of Truth Is a Lie: How Time Trial Setup Optimization Could Add Up to a 66-Watt Advantage in This Year’s Tour de France

Time Trialing is just you against the clock. Well, you and a heavily optimized combination of cutting edge gear and bike positioning against the clock.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-tales-of-the-unexpected-question-marks/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Why Tour de France Record Smashing Climbing Times May Not Be as Surprising as They Appear"}}' > Why Tour de France Record Smashing Climbing Times May Not Be as Surprising as They Appear

New climbing records by the Tour’s two superstars Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard are raising questions — but the reality of cycling is much different today than a quarter century ago.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/victor-campenaerts-in-tears-after-reaching-tour-de-france-nirvana-this-had-to-be-the-day/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Victor Campenaerts in Tears After Reaching Tour de France Nirvana: ‘This Had To Be The Day’"}}' > Victor Campenaerts in Tears After Reaching Tour de France Nirvana: ‘This Had To Be The Day’

'I aimed for this stage in December:' Campenaerts plotted Tour de France breakaway heist months ago.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-18-victor-campenaerts-powers-home-in-three-man-sprint/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 18: Victor Campenaerts Powers Home in Three-Up Sprint, GC Faves Cool Jets"}}' > Tour de France Stage 18: Victor Campenaerts Powers Home in Three-Up Sprint, GC Faves Cool Jets

Campenaerts takes emotional and unexpected sprint win at end of long, hot breakaway stage, overall contenders hold fire.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/sepp-kuss-confirmed-defend-vuelta-a-espana-crown/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Sepp Kuss Confirmed to Defend Vuelta a España Crown"}}' > Sepp Kuss Confirmed to Defend Vuelta a España Crown

Kuss absence left a hole in Visma-Lease a Bike lineup during this Tour de France: 'You miss the guy who can be there for Jonas when it's only Remco and Tadej who are left.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/workout-of-the-week-train-like-tadej-pogacar-at-the-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Workout of the Week: Train Like Tadej Pogačar at the Tour de France"}}' > Workout of the Week: Train Like Tadej Pogačar at the Tour de France

For this Workout of the Week, we’ll simulate Pogačar’s effort on Plateau de Beille, where he did nearly 7w/kg for 40 minutes after four-and-a-half hours of racing in the heat.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/how-tadej-pogacar-changed-everything-for-his-giro-tour-double/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Training, Tech, Nutrition, and More: How Tadej Pogačar Changed Almost Everything to Close in on the Giro-Tour Double"}}' > Training, Tech, Nutrition, and More: How Tadej Pogačar Changed Almost Everything to Close in on the Giro-Tour Double

From crank lengths and interval selection to breakfast choices and frame bolts, Pogačar and UAE Emirates left no stone unturned in their pursuit of grand tour perfection.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/we-know-theres-a-gap-ineos-grenadiers-struggles-to-make-tour-de-france-impact/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘We Know There’s a Gap’: Ineos Grenadiers Admits Falling Behind as Pogačar, Vingegaard Dominate Tour de France"}}' > ‘We Know There’s a Gap’: Ineos Grenadiers Admits Falling Behind as Pogačar, Vingegaard Dominate Tour de France

Analysis: For a team that was once so far ahead of the game, Ineos Grenadiers is behind the curve. After 5 years without a Tour victory, can cycling's first 'super team' catch up?

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/inside-team-bus-driver-breakdown-hell-gas-bill-toilet-troubles/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Inside the Life of a Tour de France Team Bus Driver: Breakdown Hell, Expensive Gas Bills and Toilet Troubles"}}' > Inside the Life of a Tour de France Team Bus Driver: Breakdown Hell, Expensive Gas Bills and Toilet Troubles

Meet Mario Meeuwssen, the man behind the wheel of Lotto Dstny's traveling HQ: 'I tell the riders they don't have to listen to the sports director all day. But in my bus, I’m the boss.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/wout-van-aert-rescues-vingegaard-in-high-stakes-tour-de-france-finale/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Wout van Aert Rescues Vingegaard in High Stakes Tour de France Finale"}}' > Wout van Aert Rescues Vingegaard in High Stakes Tour de France Finale

Belgian rider Van Aert drags chase behind to control dangerous Remco Evenepoel attack

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/the-other-brother-simon-yates-shows-tour-de-france-return-to-form/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "The Other Brother: Simon Yates Shows Tour de France Return to Form"}}' > The Other Brother: Simon Yates Shows Tour de France Return to Form

The past Vuelta a España champion's career has slowed in recent years but a team move could reinvent and reinvigorate Simon Yates.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/with-no-sprint-stages-left-will-sprinters-finish-the-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "With No Sprint Stages Left, Will Sprinters Finish the Tour de France?"}}' > With No Sprint Stages Left, Will Sprinters Finish the Tour de France?

Racing for what? Tour de France sprinters face unfamiliar territory of riding on with no more sprint stages left.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/pogacar-twists-knife-into-vingegaard-in-tour-de-france-tussle/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘It Was a Stupid Instinct’: Pogačar, Evenepoel Twist Knife into Vingegaard in Tour de France Hilltop Tussle"}}' > ‘It Was a Stupid Instinct’: Pogačar, Evenepoel Twist Knife into Vingegaard in Tour de France Hilltop Tussle

Visma-Lease a Bike vows to keep pressuring Pogačar all the way to Nice after Wednesday's offensive onslaught brings morale-sapping losses.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-17-resurgent-richard-carapaz-takes-win-for-ef-education-easypost/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 17: Resurgent Richard Carapaz Seizes Win, Vingegaard Loses Time"}}' > Tour de France Stage 17: Resurgent Richard Carapaz Seizes Win, Vingegaard Loses Time

Relentless aggression by US team pays off with Tour stage win, Vingegaard loses more time

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/explainer-how-intermediate-sprints-will-decide-green-jersey-destiny-for-biniam-girmay/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Explainer: Philipsen’s Only Hope to Dislodge Girmay’s Green Jersey Hinges on Bonus Sprints"}}' > Explainer: Philipsen’s Only Hope to Dislodge Girmay’s Green Jersey Hinges on Bonus Sprints

Girmay leads the Tour de France green jersey by 32 points, but mid-stage bonus sprints could give Philipsen a slim option: 'The chance of succeeding is very small.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-tour-of-the-unexpected-its-a-team-sport/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Tales of the Unexpected: It’s a Team Sport"}}' > Tour de France Tales of the Unexpected: It’s a Team Sport

If he had his full-strength Team Visma around him, Jonas Vingegaard would be fighting a much closer (perhaps winning) battle with Tadej Pogačar.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/from-dirt-roads-to-the-champs-elysees-could-americas-next-tour-de-france-winner-emerge-from-gravel-racing/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Could America’s Next Tour de France Winner Emerge from Gravel Racing?"}}' > Could America’s Next Tour de France Winner Emerge from Gravel Racing?

Sepp Kuss started his career on a mountain bike, is there now a through line from gravel to the yellow jersey at the Tour de France? 'We will see some young kid to come out of gravel to become a big star.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/relentless-rise-matteo-jorgenson-surprising-better/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "The Relentless Rise of Matteo Jorgenson Continues at Tour de France: ‘I Keep Surprising Myself and Getting Better Every Race’"}}' > The Relentless Rise of Matteo Jorgenson Continues at Tour de France: ‘I Keep Surprising Myself and Getting Better Every Race’

Jorgenson estimates best power of his career on Plateau de Beille riding on feel and lifts lid on Visma-Lease a Bike’s plan for Alps: ‘We’re not here to finish second’.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/mark-cavendish-final-sprint/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Eyewitness: Mark Cavendish’s Final Tour de France Sprint"}}' > Eyewitness: Mark Cavendish’s Final Tour de France Sprint

No fairytale second stage win in Nîmes but Cavendish is content after breaking record earlier in race. His next challenge? Making it to Nice: 'Mark really wants to finish the race.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/uno-x-mobility-team-cars-narrowly-avoid-crashing-in-tour-de-france-after-missed-turn/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Uno-X Mobility Team Cars Narrowly Avoid Crashing in Tour de France After Missed Turn"}}' > Uno-X Mobility Team Cars Narrowly Avoid Crashing in Tour de France After Missed Turn

The missed turn and near crash happened while the team car was pacing a rider back up to the peloton.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/crash-puts-green-jersey-in-danger-for-biniam-girmay-at-tour-de-france-he-doesnt-deserve-to-lose-it-like-this/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Crash Puts Green Jersey in Danger for Biniam Girmay at Tour de France: ‘He Doesn’t Deserve To Lose It Like This’"}}' > Crash Puts Green Jersey in Danger for Biniam Girmay at Tour de France: ‘He Doesn’t Deserve To Lose It Like This’

The race for the 'maillot vert' is heating up unexpectedly after the worst possible outcome for Girmay in Tuesday's final sprint stage: 'I don't care if I lose this jersey or if I keep it.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-16-report-and-results/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 16: Philipsen Pummels Everyone as Cavendish Misses Chance in Final Tour Sprint"}}' > Tour de France Stage 16: Philipsen Pummels Everyone as Cavendish Misses Chance in Final Tour Sprint

No fairytale finish for Cavendish in last Tour de France sprint before retirement, Girmay crashes in final to blow green jersey battle wide open.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/whats-ahead-in-week-3-of-the-tour-de-france-velo-podcast/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "What’s Ahead in Week 3 of the Tour de France | Velo Podcast"}}' > What’s Ahead in Week 3 of the Tour de France | Velo Podcast

The Velo Podcast discusses the second week of the Tour de France and looks ahead to the final week.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/why-this-pro-cyclist-is-racing-the-tour-de-france-with-a-blue-mustache/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Why Is Magnus Cort Racing the Tour de France with a Blue Mustache?"}}' > Why Is Magnus Cort Racing the Tour de France with a Blue Mustache?

Fan favorite Magnus Cort accepted a silly bet and kept his word. Everybody wins.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/mark-cavendish-and-his-last-tour-de-france-sprint-its-another-opportunity-well-try-to-win/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Mark Cavendish Vows To Make Final Tour de France Sprint Count: ‘It’s Another Opportunity. We’ll Try to Win’"}}' > Mark Cavendish Vows To Make Final Tour de France Sprint Count: ‘It’s Another Opportunity. We’ll Try to Win’

Cavendish suffered through the Pyrénées to fight for one last win: 'It's the last time perhaps I do a sprint in the Tour de France.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/high-tech-takeover-how-big-data-and-a-i-is-redefining-the-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "High-Tech Takeover: How Big Data and A.I. Is Redefining the Tour de France "}}' > High-Tech Takeover: How Big Data and A.I. Is Redefining the Tour de France 

Teams are tapping into artificial intelligence and consulting data analysts in the hunt for any hidden breakthroughs.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/abrahamsen-gained-20kg-to-wear-the-tour-de-france-kom-jersey/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Who is Jonas Abrahamsen, the Norwegian ‘Plow’ Who Gained 20kg to Wear the Tour de France KoM Jersey?"}}' > Who is Jonas Abrahamsen, the Norwegian ‘Plow’ Who Gained 20kg to Wear the Tour de France KoM Jersey?

'He doesn’t think much. He just races': The Uno-X Mobility 'snowplow' is on a mission to attack the Tour de France his own way.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/derek-gee-never-imagined-high-gc/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Derek Gee Never Imagined He’d Be Flying So High on Tour de France GC"}}' > Derek Gee Never Imagined He’d Be Flying So High on Tour de France GC

Israel-Premier Tech's versatile talent enters final week ninth on GC: 'I'm seeing more and more Canadian flags out here.'

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/power-analysis-tadej-pogacar-might-be-the-greatest-cyclist-of-all-time/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Power Analysis: Tadej Pogačar Might Be the Greatest Cyclist of All-Time"}}' > Power Analysis: Tadej Pogačar Might Be the Greatest Cyclist of All-Time

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tadej-is-from-another-planet-evenepoel-in-awe-of-tour-de-france-rival-in-pantani-smashing-record-climb/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘i was faster than pantani too’: remco evenepoel exceeding tour de france expectations"}}' > ‘i was faster than pantani too’: remco evenepoel exceeding tour de france expectations.

'I would be disappointed with 4th:' Remco Evenepoel pivots to fight for Tour de France podium after proving his worth in Pyrénées.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/final-rest-day-reflections/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Final Rest Day Reflections: Does Vingegaard Have It In Him?"}}' > Tour de France Final Rest Day Reflections: Does Vingegaard Have It In Him?

Breaking down where the GC contenders have won/lost time so far during a scorching fast Tour de France, and what it means for the race's final week.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tadej-pogacar-fearless-ahead-of-tour-de-france-crunch-week-visma-finally-showed-their-balls/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tadej Pogačar Fearless Ahead of Tour de France Crunch Week: ‘Visma Finally Showed Their Balls’"}}' > Tadej Pogačar Fearless Ahead of Tour de France Crunch Week: ‘Visma Finally Showed Their Balls’

Race leader explains Plateau de Beille record and why he is climbing so fast; expects Visma fireworks in the Alps in bid to crack him.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/photo-epic-tour-de-france-week-2/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Photo Essay: Tour de France Week 2"}}' > Photo Essay: Tour de France Week 2

The second week of the 2024 Tour de France saw the GC battle heat up in the Pyrenees.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/making-history-chasing-glory-5-reasons-to-stay-glued-to-this-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Notebook: 5 Reasons to Stay Glued to This Tour de France"}}' > Notebook: 5 Reasons to Stay Glued to This Tour de France

Remco's rise, Pogi's double, Girmay's history, Vingegaard's enigma: Here are the big narratives to follow for the dramatic climax of the Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/what-happens-on-a-tour-de-france-rest-day/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "What Really Happens on a Rest Day at the Tour de France? 140km Rides, Flat Whites, and Full-Gas Intervals"}}' > What Really Happens on a Rest Day at the Tour de France? 140km Rides, Flat Whites, and Full-Gas Intervals

A four-hour ride and a few intervals? Sure. We explore the art, science, and oddities of the Tour de France rest day.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/vingegaard-visma-push-fails-unseat-pogacar/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Vingegaard Vows to Keep Swinging at Imperious Pogačar: ‘We Will Fight To The End of The Tour de France’"}}' > Vingegaard Vows to Keep Swinging at Imperious Pogačar: ‘We Will Fight To The End of The Tour de France’

'I believed we could crack Tadej today': Few regrets for defending Dane and right-hand man Jorgenson after valiant team display on Sunday.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/highlights-tour-de-france-stage-15-2024/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Highlights: Tour de France Stage 15"}}' > Highlights: Tour de France Stage 15

Pogačar caps off an incredible show of force in the Pyrénées.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/mark-cavendish-battles-home-scraping-past-time-cut-in-final-tour-de-france/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Mark Cavendish Battles Home, Scraping Past Time Cut in Final Tour de France"}}' > Mark Cavendish Battles Home, Scraping Past Time Cut in Final Tour de France

Tour record holder Cavendish endures grueling day in the big mountains, bravely battling in on Sunday.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/we-are-in-a-good-way-remco-evenepoel-exits-pyrenees-with-tour-de-france-podium-within-reach/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "‘We Are in a Good Way’: Remco Evenepoel Exits Pyrénées with Tour de France Podium within Reach"}}' > ‘We Are in a Good Way’: Remco Evenepoel Exits Pyrénées with Tour de France Podium within Reach

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tadej-pogacar-shatters-marco-pantani-record-as-giro-tour-double-edges-closer/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "tadej pogačar shatters marco pantani record as giro-tour double edges closer"}}' > tadej pogačar shatters marco pantani record as giro-tour double edges closer.

'I don’t know how fast Pantani rode back in the day:' Infallible Pogačar leaves Pyrénées in pole position to win his third Tour de France.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-15tour-de-france-stage-15-pogacar-blitzes-vingegaard-to-win-once-again/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Tour de France Stage 15: Pogačar Blitzes Vingegaard to Win Once Again"}}' > Tour de France Stage 15: Pogačar Blitzes Vingegaard to Win Once Again

Tour race leader boosts overall lead to 3:09 with another huge victory in the Pyrénées.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/mask-mandates-return-to-the-tour-de-france-as-covid-fears-grow/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Mask Mandates Return to the Tour de France as COVID Fears Grow"}}' > Mask Mandates Return to the Tour de France as COVID Fears Grow

Multiple riders have abandoned the race with COVID so far, while at least one continues to race on while infected.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/fan-arrested-for-throwing-chips-at-tour-de-france-stars-pogacar-and-vingegaard/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Fan Arrested for Throwing Chips at Tour de France Stars Pogačar and Vingegaard"}}' > Fan Arrested for Throwing Chips at Tour de France Stars Pogačar and Vingegaard

'He passed a very drunken afternoon:' A fan, identified as a 32-year-old Frenchman, will face a French judge Sunday for aggravated violence.

>", "path": "https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/video-sir-paul-smith-has-the-ultimate-bike-memorabilia-collection/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "hero", "title": "Video: Sir Paul Smith Has the Ultimate Bike Memorabilia Collection"}}' > Video: Sir Paul Smith Has the Ultimate Bike Memorabilia Collection

Paul Smith's extensive cycling memorabilia collection is no doubt the biggest and best one you'll ever see.

Tour de France Writers

Andrew Hood

Andrew Hood, aka “EuroHoody,” is the European editor for Velo . Since joining the title in 2002, he’s been chasing bike races all over the world. He’s covered dozens editions of the spring classics and the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España, as well as numerous world championships in road, track, and mountain biking. He’s also covered five Olympic Games and traveled across six continents for bike races. Beyond the Outside cycling network, his work has appeared in The New York Times , Sports Illustrated , ESPN , Outside , SKI ,  Traveler Magazine , Washington Post , Dallas Morning News , and Denver Post . He’s a voting member of the Velo d’Or prize committee, and he’s appeared on CNN, NBC, NPR, and BBC. Chances are if there’s a bike race, EuroHoody’s been to it, or will be going soon.

Betsy Welch

Betsy writes about off-road racing, culture, and personalities for Outside’s cycling group. As a rider, she loves big adventures on the bike. Some of her most memorable reporting/riding trips include the Migration Gravel Race in Kenya, bikepacking the Colorado Trail, and riding from Torino to Nice after the inaugural Tour de France Femmes. In the summer, she loves to run, ride, and hike through the Elk Mountains in her backyard; in the winter, she skis uphill.

I’m a UK-based editor and reporter focusing on road racing, training, and nutrition. I’ve developed a bank of experience working on the ground at all three grand tours, Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders, Strade Bianche, road worlds, and many more. I have my own ‘ Behind the Ride ‘ series of features that digs into how riders in the pro peloton have become the best in the world. It’s a wide-ranging column that’s covered diet, training, recovery, altitude camps, and a lot more. And when I’m not working? After a few decades of mostly dismal results, I’ve hung up the wheels on my bike racing career. Instead, now, I’m a trail / ultra racer … but don’t hold that against me.

Andy McGrath

Formerly editor of Rouleur magazine, Andy McGrath is a freelance sports journalist and has covered the Tour de France, Tour of Italy and the sport’s big one-day Classics. He covered the 2023 Tour de France for VELO.

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes has written about pro cycling for over 25 years, covering grand tours, world championships, Classics and other major events during that time. He’s been the Irish Times cycling correspondent for over two decades, appeared regularly on that country’s national broadcaster RTE in analyzing the sport, and contributed to Velo and many of the sport’s international outlets. When not writing about cycling he’s happiest in nature on a sunny day, particularly with a dog or two in tow.

Will Tracy is a San Francisco based editor interested in all things cycling. Since getting his start in cycling journalism with Peloton Magazine , he has reported from the Tour de France; the Taipei Cycle, Eurobike, and Sea Otter trade shows; and covered the biggest events in gravel racing including Unbound and SBT GRVL. When not biking, he stays active with climbing and running and likes to take photos, cook, and serially dabble in new hobbies.

Alvin Holbrook

Alvin is a tech editor for Velo. He covers road, gravel, and e-bikes after nearly a decade in the bike industry. In addition, he uses his background in urban planning to cover stories about active transportation, policy, tech, and infrastructure through the Urbanist Update series. He currently lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and an ever-growing stable of bikes and kitchen utensils. Meet Alvin

Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest but when it’s time to ride, hot and dry is better than cold and wet. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but understands most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn’t care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset, and beyond, the answer is always yes.

How to watch the Tour de France in 2024

Outside the United States and Canada Eurosport will show the race in Europe. Other options include Rai Sport in Italy, L'Equipe TV in France, and Sporza in Belgium.

Tour de France: Asgreen sprints to thrilling stage 18 win as Vingegaard retains solid lead

Belgian rider wout van aert leaves race to be with pregnant wife.

Jonas Vingegaard retained his overall lead in the Tour de France as Kasper Asgreen won stage 18 in Bourg-en-Bresse. Asgreen was one of four riders in the day’s breakaway to survive a high-speed pursuit by the speeding peloton, as the race left the Alps behind and entered the Rhone valley.

The four-rider attack, composed of Asgreen, Jonas Abrahamsen, and the Lotto-Dstny pair of Victor Campenaerts and Pascal Eenkhoorn, joined forces with 50 kilometres still to race and maintained a slim lead into the closing moments of the stage.

Racing at more than 60km per hour, the quartet entered the final kilometre with only six seconds’ advantage on their chasers, yet Campenaerts’s time-trialling power kept the group ahead. Asgreen’s last-gasp acceleration to the line was enough to hold off the sprinter Jesper Philipsen, already winner of four stages, and his Alpecin-Deceuninck team.

Asgreen was generous in victory and praised his breakaway companions. “I really couldn’t have done it without Pascal, Victor and Jonas,” he said. “We all deserved to win with the work we put out there.”

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Asgreen, a former winner of the Tour of Flanders, was making a return to form after more than a year spent struggling. “It means so much,” he added, “with the period I had the last year, with my crash in the Tour of Switzerland, and having to leave the Tour de France last year. I’ve come a long way.”

Meanwhile, after his exploits in the Alps, Vingegaard enjoyed a relatively uneventful day, although his Jumbo-Visma squad lost Wout van Aert, one of his key team-mates. The Belgian left the race to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth within the next few days.

“It’s not a dilemma,” the Belgian rider said. “It’s an easy decision. I always thought that I would go home when my wife indicated she needed me. That time has come.”

As Van Aert left the race, the scrutiny of his team leader continued with Olivier Banuls, head of the cycling unit at the International Testing Agency, (ITA) telling Reuters that performance had been taken into account when targeting Vingegaard for testing.

“Performance is one of the criteria and obviously Vingegaard’s performance is one of them for us, so he is obviously targeted in particular,” Banuls said. “There are also other criteria for riders, such as biological passports or information we get from our Intelligence and Investigation Unit.”

Banuls revealed that Vingegaard, who leads Pogacar by seven minutes and 35 seconds, has been tested 18 times during the Tour and was also tested eight times in June, both in and out of competition.

Compared with Pogacar, who raced throughout much of the spring until he fractured his wrist in April, much of the Dane’s title defence was founded on a series of training camps at altitude.

“We have different places,” he said of the camps, “so in February we go to Tenerife, to Tiede. In May, we go to Sierra Nevada and in June we went to Tignes.”

Pogacar’s partner, Urska Zigart, meanwhile, revealed that the Slovenian had nearly quit the Tour after the fifth stage, when he learned that she had crashed while racing in the Giro Donne in Italy.

“He called me to ask how I was and then, when I told him I hadn’t finished the race and had crashed, he said he was coming home,” she said. “I said: ‘No you’re not, it’s the Tour.’”

Pogacar, whose Tour challenge collapsed dramatically in Wednesday’s stage to Courchevel, said he had recovered “a bit” from the experience. “The start [on Thursday] was pretty hard and quite – not emotional – but just a lot of guys came and spoke to me,” he said. “Thanks to all the riders. They cheered me up.” – Guardian

IN THIS SECTION

‘he was so looking forward to this trip with his dad’: dublin man dies on cycling holiday in france, tadej pogacar wraps up tour de france victory to seal historic double, tadej pogacar closes in on third tour de france crown after fifth stage victory, magic olympic rings have the power to pull the biggest ireland team ever to go to the games, ben healy aims to take strong form to paris after olympics selection, former ku klux klan ‘grand dragon’ is mentoring irish far-right extremists, ‘i am divorced at 60, envious of my ex-husband’s new life and struggling with loneliness’, kamala harris is a descendant of an irish slave owner in jamaica, mandatory reporting of all gifts and inheritances under consideration, equestrian centre owner seeks €1m-plus damages from carlow couple, latest stories, olympics rugby sevens: ireland make bright start to tournament with victory over south africa, new zealand pm promises reform after inquiry finds 200,000 abused in care, father’s appeal against conviction for ‘exorcism’ beatings on child rejected by supreme court, olympics rugby sevens live updates: ireland beat south africa 10-5, failure by hungary to tackle high-level corruption a ‘serious concern’.

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Stages You Won’t Want to Miss at the 2021 Tour de France

From start to finish, these are the most exciting stages in the race. And no, none of them are time trials.

The great thing about the Tour de France is that, for three weeks, there’s racing every day. The hard thing about the Tour de France is that, for three weeks, there’s a race every day. How do you keep up with it all? How do you know the stages that are going to be the talk of Twitter versus the ones that are snorefests with the pack slow-rolling on a 90-degree day to try as best they can to NOT catch the break until 10km to go?

Picking the stages that will be most entertaining is something of an art, and we won’t claim to get it perfect every time. But eyeing the 2021 Tour de France route, here are six stages we think have the elements to be must-see TV.

Saturday, June 26 Brest to Landernau - 197.8km

It’s rare that the opening stage of the Tour is filled with this level of suspense. But Stage 1 of the 2021 edition is an irresistible buffet of awesome.

Where to start? Well, at the start: the cycling-mad peninsula of Brittany in the country’s far northwest is hosting the 2021 Tour’s Grand Depart. Brittany has tiny roads that are almost never straight (or flat), which will accentuate the usual nervous fight for position that animates the opening stages of the Tour. It’s also notorious for crosswinds, and with a route that snakes down the coast of the Bay of Doaurnenez and back up again, there are plenty of opportunities for a large, motivated pack of racers to break into echelons on this opener. There are enough climbs to entice a serious breakaway of KOM jersey hopefuls rather than the usual rogues gallery of no-hopers you see on Stage 1.

And while most of the attention is on the steepish finish climb of Mur-de-Bretagne on Stage 2, the opening stage finishes on a tricky little Category 3 ascent that’s reminiscent of the old Amstel Gold Race finish. It starts off at 14 percent before backing off to a false flat before the finish, so it’s too steep for sprinters, but requires a perfectly timed move rather than just brute climbing power. All the GC guys will be attentive here, but it’s ideal for someone like Julian Alaphilippe of Deceuninck-Quick Step’s “wolf pack,” who might find the climb’s name—the Côte de la Fosse aux Loups, or Wolf Pit hill—an omen of sorts.

Friday, July 2 Vierzon to le Creusot - 249.1km

What jumps out about this stage is its length. It’s extremely rare to find stages in Grand Tours that are much over 225km long; this one—the longest in 21 years—is closer in distance to a Monument like Liege-Bastogne-Liege. But those are one-day races with recovery days immediately after; this comes almost a week into a Grand Tour.

And it’s not flat: five categorized climbs, all in the last 80km, including a Category 2 at 230km in that reaches maximum gradients of 18 percent. The only thing we know here is that we don’t know what will happen, because racing gets weird past 225km. Some riders are exceptional at the distance, while others find their power has left them. Most of the pack, including the overall contenders, will simply be looking to survive the day, especially if it’s hot. But if we look to Classics races as our template, there may well be an early breakaway and a larger, more serious second one later in the stage. While it isn’t expected to be a day for the overall favorites, it’s not out of the question that one or more GC rider could have a rough day and will get distanced on the steeps of that late Cat. 2 ascent. The way GC racing plays out, there will not be a moment’s hesitation to make that rider pay for his weakness. The best bet is for a late breakaway to survive: riders who thrive on long, hard courses, like Dan Martin, Philippe Gilbert, or Vincenzo Nibali.

Sunday, July 4 Cluse to Tignes - 144.9km

This year’s Tour goes light on the Alps, with only two stages—Stages 8 and 9—that pass through the famous mountain range. Of the two, Stage 9 is the one to watch as it brings the Tour’s first summit finish, in Tignes. The climb to Tignes was supposed to host the finish of Stage 19 of the 2019 Tour de France, but the riders never got there as storm-induced rock and mudslides led to the stage being stopped following the Col d’Iseran, on which Egan Bernal had escaped to take the yellow jersey.

The day begins in Cluses with a false flat to the base of the day’s first ascent, the Category 2 Côte de Domancy (2.5km at 9.4 percent), the first of the stage’s five categorized climbs. It’s here that a breakaway should form, filled with stage hunters and riders looking to score lots of points in the Tour’s King of the Mountains competition. The intermediate sprint in Praz-sur-Arly comes soon after, followed by the Category 1 Col de Saisies (9.4km at 6.2%). A long descent takes the riders to the valley below and the base of the day’s toughest climb, the Hors Categorie Col du Pré (12.6km at 7.7 percent), which—when combined with the Cat. 2 Cormet de Roseland (5.7km at 6.5 percent) 6km later—is essentially two climbs for the price of one. But riders dropped from the break or the peloton on the Pré-Roseland combo should have a chance to rejoin their groups on the long descent to the valley below, where wind direction on the roads to the foot of the final climb will seal the fate of the breakaway.

The final Category 1 climb to the ski resort in Tignes (21km at 5.6 percent) isn’t particularly hard, but it’s long, steady, and takes the riders above 2,000 meters (where the riders start to feel the altitude’s thin air) for the first time in this year’s Tour. Look for INEOS and Jumbo-Visma to set-up their “mountain trains,” lining up their riders and setting a stiff tempo in a bid to prevent sudden accelerations—while dropping riders out the back. And if the break is close—which it could be given this stage’s relatively short distance—there’s the added incentive of bonus seconds going to the top-3 finishers. In the end, we could see a select group of favorites sprinting for the win, similar to last year’s Stage 4 finish in Orcières-Merlette, where Primož Roglič won the sprint to take the stage victory.

Wednesday, July 7 Sorgues to Malaucene – 198.9km

The fabled and feared Mont Ventoux makes not one appearance in this grueling stage, but two. After 100km of warmup, including three other categorized climbs, the pack will ascend to Ventoux’s windswept, treeless summit first via the more “gentle” side from the town of Sault (22km at 5.1 percent), then descend to the bottom in Malaucene and tackle the shorter but steeper climb from Bedoin (15.7km at 8.8 percent). They’re STILL not done, though, as the race drops a second time down the descent to the finish in Malaucene. That devilish little twist turns what is normally a straightforward—if arduous—climbing stage into a tricky affair that’s loaded with opportunities for things to go wrong.

The double ascent, with the steeper one coming second (the ascents join at Chalet Reynard for the final 6km of each), will absolutely explode the pack on the second go-round. And the 21km descent to Malaucene is no joke, with tricky hairpin turns and long stretches of 10 percent drops. There’s almost no flat terrain at the bottom for a dropped rider to re-catch the leaders before the finish, so gaps that form on the descent will stick. This is an absolutely pivotal day for all GC contenders, and which will reward a complete winner, with the climbing strength, descending chops, and tactical savvy to follow the wheels until it’s time for that one devastating attack. Whether it’s on the climb or descent, no one can say, but it’ll happen. Our picks? INEOS’s Richard Carapaz has the perfect skillset for the day, but keep an eye out for Nairo Quintana of Arkea-Samsic and Movistar’s Miguel Angel Lopez, who won a key tuneup race on a highly similar course in early June.

Wednesday, July 14 Muret to Saint-Lary-Soulan/Col du Portet - 178km

What the 2021 lacks in Alps it more than makes-up for in Pyrenees, with four stages through the range that forms the border between France and Spain. But while all four stages will be exciting, we've got our eyes on the last two. Stage 17 begins gently, with about 115km of gradually rising roads as the race heads southwest from Muret. But once through the Intermediate Sprint in Luchon, things get hard— really hard—as the race follows the route of Stage 17 from the 2018 Tour de France, a super-short stage of 65km that tackled three categorized summits. (The stage was so short that the organizers used a Formula One-style starting grid to begin the race.)

The climbing begins with the Category 1 Col de Peyresourde (13.2km at 7 percent), which should prompt attacks from out-of-contention stage hunters and the few remaining riders who still have a chance of winning the polka dot jersey as the Tour’s King of the Mountains. They won’t get much of a gap, though, as teams like INEOS, Jumbo-Visma, and UAE will do their best to keep their leaders close enough to perhaps win the stage themselves. Up next comes shorter—but steeper—Category 1 Col de Val Louron-Azet (7.4km at 8.3 percent). The KOM points here should also go to a rider from the breakaway, but with what’s still to come, the break might not last much longer.

The stage ends with perhaps the toughest single climb in this year’s Tour: the Hors Categorie Col du Portet (16km at 8.7 percent). Long, steep, and finishing at elevation, it’s here that the break should be caught and the Tour’s GC contenders will emerge. Quintana won the stage for Movistar in 2018, attacking soon after the climb began and sweeping up everyone on the road ahead of him to win his first stage in five years. He was far enough down the GC at the time to be given a bit of a leash, and he might find himself in a similar position this year. It’s also Bastille Day, which means the roads will be lined with partying fans—and the French will be très eager to win the stage.

Thursday, July 15 Pau to Luz Ardiden - 129.7km

As if three days in the Pyrenees weren’t enough, the Tour’s organizers added one more, a classic stage that features two of the Tour’s most famous climbs: the Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden. Like Stage 17, the serious climbing comes at the end of the day, but with fewer kilometers (130 as opposed to 178) the breakaway should have a harder time surviving.

Starting in Pau, the first half of the stage offers two Category 4 climbs, one early and the other followed closely by the Intermediate Sprint in Pouzac halfway through the day. From there it’s about 25km to the base of the day’s first “real” challenge: the Hors Categorie Col du Tourmalet (17.1km at 7.3 percent). Tackled from the east in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, this is the longer, but steadier road to the summit (the western approach starts easier but gets much steeper toward the top). The first rider to the summit wins the Souvenir Jacques Goddet.

A long descent to the valley offers the riders a chance to catch their breath and refuel, which they’ll need for the Tour’s final summit finish: the Hors Categorie climb to Luz Ardiden (13.3km at 7.4 percent), a ski resort in the high Pyrenees. Any riders left from the day’s breakaway will need several minutes in order to have a chance of holding-off the remaining GC contenders, and with a team like INEOS capable of team-trialing its way up this year’s major summits, even a five-minute advantage might not be enough—especially if it’s hot (which it probably will be). This is the last chance for any climbers to try and gain time before the Tour’s final time trial, which means the battle to win the stage—and possibly the Tour—will be super-fierce. Yes, it’s a Thursday, but try and set aside time to watch the finale. You won’t regret it.

Watch: How the Tour Jerseys Are Made

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

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First things first. Are we going to see the stage winner emerge from the breakaway, or will it be a GC rider? It depends largely on the place where the breakaway etablishes itself. If it’s early on, there is unlikely to be a good climber on board, as the first hour of racing takes place on the flat. The riders then enter the Col d’Aspin and, obviously, you need climbing legs to get away from the main group on that 12 kilometres ascent at 6.5%. Which ups the chances for the breakaway to be successful.

After the Aspin the riders continue to the Hourquette d’Ancizan (8.2 kilometres at 5.1%) and Col de Val-Louron-Azet (10.7 kilometres at 6.8%) before the finish climb kicks in. The road to Peyragudes goes up for 8 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.8%. And it’s really the last part that’s going to do the damage. First 1 kilometre at 9%, then it levels out to 6% before the last 500 metres are insane with an average gradient of 13%.

Favourites 17th stage 2022 Tour de France

*** Dylan Teuns, Michael Woods, Thibaut Pinot, Chris Froome ** Romain Bardet, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Felix Großschartner * Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Geraint Thomas, Nairo Quintana

Another interesting read: route 17th stage 2022 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2022 stage 17: route & profiles

Click on the images to zoom

‘One of the most thrilling stages of all time’: Readers share their thoughts on the Tour de France 2020 

How did fans enjoy the thrills and upsets from a very unusual edition of the Tour? 

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The Tour de France made it to Paris and the winner has been crowned - but how did fans find the 2020 edition? 

As with most things this year, the Tour was unprecedented in many ways.

We saw the race delayed until late August, the number of fans restricted due to coronavirus and the youngest winner for more than 100 years in Tadej Pogačar. 

But how does the race compare with the great Tours of history?

Dan Smith, 20, from London welcomed the return of bike racing after the coronavirus break: “ It was great to watch some proper racing and some of the mountain stages, especially in the Pyrenees, were great viewing. The final time trial twisted the whole narrative of the three weeks like never before as well. 

“It wasn’t quite as good as good as 2019. Last year was an incredible race with a slightly poor ending, whereas this year wasn't as exciting day to day but had a more thrilling conclusion.”

This year we saw Ineos Grenadiers lose their dominance as Egan Bernal wasn’t able to defend his 2019 victory, while Jumbo-Visma were more than willing to step into the space at the head of the peloton left vacant by the British WorldTour team.

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Peter Wilson, 55, also from London, said: “Very much, some incredible racing and the new talent rising to the top means that cycle races will be seeing the new guard dominate in years to come. The time trial on Saturday was edge of the seat and Pogačar produced an incredible performance to overturn the deficit and step into the yellow jersey. Sam Bennett also was super. Fantastic tour and will live long in the memory.” 

Lynn Van Every, 56, from Pocatello, Idaho, USA, said: “Great efforts by many. Always fabulous scenery in the French countryside.  I enjoyed it, a somewhat different cast of characters and team makeup.  Seemed like the field was more wide open, no one could have predicted the GC battle.  

But despite a few memorable stages over the three weeks, the general classification looked sealed from stage nine as Primoź Roglič continually proved he was the strong rider.

That all changed on the final day of GC racing, the individual time trial to La Planche des Belles Filles. 

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) put in one of the most staggering performances in the history of the Tour to overturn his 57-second deficit to Primož Roglič and win the Tour by almost a minute. 

At 21-years-old, the Slovenian is the youngest winner since 1904. 

Jernej Furlan, 32, from Slovenia  said “our riders were very outstanding” and added that the 2020 race was “much more interesting” than the 2019 edition, but that the biggest disappointment was Roglič losing the Tour at the very end. 

This year’s Tour also looked very different from previous versions, as the organisers tried to prevent any further spread of coronavirus through the race. 

Riders wore masks at sign-on, there were fewer fans at the side of the road and interviews were carried out at a safe distance. 

Matthew Acton-Varia, 27, from Stourbridge, UK said: “Whilst the racing has been somewhat unpredictable, safety concerns due to the pandemic, and lack of race sharpness causing a few crashes have taken a shine off the event. 

“The sight of fans, in particular on climbs where there were no barriers, has left me surprised that none of the riders returned a positive test. In places where crowd control was difficult / impossible, like on the TT climb, left me concerned for the riders safety.” 

Peter Wilson said: “I wish more fans took care to wear their masks on the mountains. France is suffering from a rapid escalation in coronavirus - all visitors and fans should follow precautions and respect that actions have consequences.” 

The race wasn’t so successful for French fans and riders though, as Romain Bardet abandoned with a concussion and Thibaut Pinot fell out of contention early.

Tristan, 20, from Paris, France said: “Of course I did enjoy my home Tour! There was plenty of action (Julian Alaphilippe, Bora Hansgrohe and the fight for the green jersey, Pogačar and his incessant attacks) there so many great riders at this Tour it is unbelievable! 

“I’m a little sad because Frenchmen Pinot and Bardet didn’t succeed like they deserve to. However Alaphilippe and Nans Peters won beautiful stages.”

On Pogačar’s time trial victory, Tristan said: “It is one of the most beautiful comebacks in all cycling, so this stage will remain as one of the most thrilling stages of all times.” 

Christine Brill, 54, from North Warwickshire UK, said: “I was glued to each stage, it was fascinating to see Jumbo-Visma take the role that Sky/Ineos have done in the past, leading from the front and shutting down attacks.  

“Watching Sam Bennett grow in confidence and finally taking the Stage  21 win was really heartwarming and the TT on stage 20 meant that my husband, father and son and I were literally glued to the TV - and they are not the fans of Grand Tours in this house, that's me!”

>>> Miguel Ángel López will leave Astana as team can’t afford him

She added: “Apart from the obvious lack of crowds, especially in Paris, I think the racing was superb, the riders had obviously been working hard on their fitness levels during lockdown and it was almost like they had excess energy to burn!”

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Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.

MADE, the world’s largest celebration of the art and craftsmanship of bicycle building, will return for its second edition in Portland, Oregon, this August.

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Tour de France 2022: Five key stages

The five days in July that could decide the destination of the yellow jersey

The 2021 cycling season is only just drawing to a close but already thoughts are turning towards next year and towards next summer, with the 2022 Tour de France route unveiled on Thursday morning.

Kicking off with a far-flung Grand Départ in Denmark before focussing largely on the east and south of France, the race looks to have something for everyone. The 21 days of racing will include wind, cobbles, sprints, hills, five summit finishes, a touch of gravel and plenty of time trial kilometres.

As we've seen in past editions of the Tour stages throughout the race can be vital in deciding who wears yellow in Paris and next year it will be no different with the battle set to rage from the opening time trial in Copenhagen all the way to the time trial on the penultimate stage time in Rocamadour.

Here, we take look at five key stages of the 2022 Tour de France which are likely to have an outsized influence on the final outcome of the race.

Stage 5: Lille Métropole – Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, 155km

Following on from the opening time trial and several flat stages which could see the wind throw a spanner in the works, the undoubted first flashpoint of the Tour looks set to be the cobbled stage to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, which previously hosted stages in 2010 and 2014.

The stage starts in northern France's biggest city, Lille. From there, the riders will ride south-east for 80 kilometres before hitting the first of 11 cobbled sectors on the way to the famous mining town.

There is no Trouée d'Arenberg on the route, however, as was the case in 2010 and 2014. In fact, Paris-Roubaix fans will have trouble recognising many of the cobbled sections, with only five having been used by the race – or the Tour – before. Just sector four, the three-star Warlaing à Brillon, featured in the 2021 Paris-Roubaix.

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Several 'new' sectors feature early on as the route slithers south to Cambrai before heading back north to more familiar Paris-Roubaix roads in and around towns such as Hornaing and Wallers. Whatever the weather, the cobbles will pose a tough challenge to the peloton in July, and a rarely experienced one for many of the general classification contenders tackling them.

2010's trip to Arenberg saw Lance Armstrong and Ivan Basso shed minutes as Fränk Schleck crashed out, while in 2014's wet stage defending champion Chris Froome crashed out before the cobbles as Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde lost minutes to eventual winner Vincenzo Nibali. During 2018's visit to Roubaix , meanwhile, Richie Porte crashed out while Rigoberto Urán dropped a chunk of time.

More carnage on the cobbles next July looks a reasonable bet on that evidence.

Stage 7: Tomblaine – La Super Planche des Belles Filles, 176km

Since the climb's introduction back in 2012 when Chris Froome won and his Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins took the yellow jersey, La Planche des Belles Filles has become a staple of the race.

The climb will feature for the sixth time next year, which is perhaps no surprise given its usual role as an appetiser for the high mountains of the Alps and Pyrenees later in the race.

Memorably, the climb served as the staging ground for the phenomenal time trial turnaround that brought Tadej Pogačar his first yellow jersey two years ago, but the 2022 stage will be more reminiscent of the one Dylan Teuns won in 2019.

The 'Super Planche' saw 900 metres added to an already hard climb, with the final, super-steep stretch to the finish coming on a gravel road. The extension – which reaches a gradient of over 20 per cent in places – turns a 5.9-kilometre, 8.5 per cent climb into a seven-kilometre, 8.7 per cent climb.

Despite the brutalising gradients, the gaps weren't large in 2019, amounting to 19 seconds between the top 10 GC men – in contrast to time gaps of between 40 and 56 seconds in 2012, 2014 and 2017.

Given its position in the route as the first summit finish of the race – often a stage which sees fresher riders look to avoid losing time rather than blowing the race apart with attacks – the safest bet would be for a similar outcome.

However, with much of the stage yet to be revealed, and the likes of Pogačar and Primož Roglič always being ready with explosive accelerations, the first summit finish of the Tour might just set the tone for the rest of the race.

Stage 12: Briançon – L'Alpe d’Huez, 166km

July 14 Bastille Day sees a return for one of the most storied climbs in Tour de France history as L'Alpe d'Huez features on the race for the first time since Geraint Thomas' victory in 2018 .

The 21 hairpins make up the most famous climb of the race and will next year feature as the finale of the three Alpine stages in the second week.

Following on from a 149-kilometre day that takes in the Col du Galibier and a summit finish atop the Col du Granon (11.3km at 9.2 per cent), the stage will revisit the Galibier early on before tackling the Croix de Fer to the north and circling around to Bourg d'Oisans ahead of the finale.

With a flat stage to follow the next day, the 13.8-kilometre, 8.1 per cent climb could bring the major GC battle of the Alps as the big names vie to join the likes of Coppi, Hinault, and Pantani as winners at the top.

Three of the four most recent victors –  Pierre Rolland , Christophe Riblon, and Thibaut Pinot – have hailed from France, though in the past two decades only three Frenchmen – Richard Virenque, David Moncoutié, and Warren Barguil have won a Tour stage on Bastille Day.

Watch out for the likes of Pinot, Guillaume Martin, David Gaudu, and Romain Bardet to possibly leave their mark on the mountain, though aside from hopes of a home triumph on France's national day, this will undoubtedly be one to watch for the GC action.

Stage 18: Lourdes – Hautacam, 143km

The 2022 Tour features four summit finishes in the Alps and Pyrenees, each of which could have a claim of being the queen stage of the race. The first visit to Hautacam since 2014, the final mountain stage of the race, certainly has a claim.

Both the Col de l'Aubisque (16.4km at 7.1 per cent) and the closing climb (13.6km at 7.8 per cent) are normally set as Hors Catégorie, while the 'newcomer' Col de Spandelles (10.3km at 8.3 per cent) will be a first-category climb at the very least.

It's without doubt a tough day. As with stage 17 to Peyragudes, the penultimate climb lies within 40 kilometres of the finish line, meaning last-ditch long-range GC raids in the Pyrenees are a real possibility if climbers are seeking to add to their advantage or make up lost time ahead of the final time trial.

Hautacam has featured in the middle of the race three times before, with each stage victory going to the breakaway. However, in 1996 and 2014, the battle for the maillot jaune was all but over when the peloton hit the climb in the race's final week – Bjarne Riis and Vincenzo Nibali only demonstrated their dominance there ahead of their inevitable overall victories.

The climb towering above the Lavedan Valley, then, could be the scene of another coronation. The hope, though, will be to keep the battle going all the way through the Pyrenees to the final weekend.

Stage 20: Lacapelle-Marival – Rocamadour, 40km

For the third year in a row, the Tour will draw to a close with a time trial on the penultimate day of the race. Organisers ASO will certainly be hoping for more of the unexpected magic that rounded off the 2020 Tour , rather than the 31-kilometre Pogačar coronation seen in Saint-Emilion this July.

The 40-kilometre test in northern Occitanie is longer than either of the time trials of the past two years but in terms of parcours lies somewhere in between the race to La Planche des Belles Filles two years ago and the flat ride to Saint-Emilion last year.

The rolling roads of the Causses du Quercy national park will greet the riders on stage 20 with two 1.5-kilometre climbs coming inside the final five kilometres, including one up out of the Alzou valley to the finish in the pilgrim destination of Rocamadour.

If the GC race is close at the top after 19 days of racing, then this could be another explosive ending to the Tour de France, rather than the stage which saw none of the top 19 places change hands back in July.

Whether the final time trial of the Tour is a key stage – and an entertaining one – depends on what has gone before, then. For that reason, stage 20 is the only key stage of the 2022 Tour which could end up proving an inconsequential one.

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Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –   'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix  – and the Tour de France –  'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win .

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