As always the new Tour de France route is packed with all kinds of exciting features. With an unsurprisingly slow start, the tour looks set to build after the first week. The route only features one individual time trial, coming very late in the race at stage 20 this will certainly be the decider. Hopefully similar to what we saw in this years edition of the Giro D’Italia. From unclimbed passes to gravel roads – we’re sure it’ll be a thriller.
Running slightly later this year with a start on July 7th, the 105th Tour route will end on July 29th. Covering a total distance of 3,329km the route comes with:
- 8 flat stages
- 5 hilly stages
- 6 mountain stages and 3 altitude finishes
(La Rosière, Alpe d’Huez, Saint-Lary-Soulan col de Portet) - 1 team time-trial
- 1 individual time-trial
- 2 rest days
For the first time the race is almost 100% french. Minus a fleeting 15km visit to Spain, the Tour de France will take place entirely in France. It’ll see cobbles, TTT’s and a reduced number at the start line. With teams of 8 instead of the usual 9. The tour also sees the loss of big finish line time bonuses, bringing back a more traditional format of racing.
The 9 stages before the mountains will see a slow start, but not an easy one for the sprinters. The course is targetting at the climbers with battle taking place in the Alps and Pyrenees. The tour is the shortest it’s been since 2002, and it includes a very exciting stage 17. Comprising of just 65km in the mountains, it’s a guaranteed smash fest – sure to ruin a few legs. 8 possible sprint finishes will keep the sprinters on their toes, along with the contenders trying to keep out of trouble.
Who to watch?
Tom DeMoulin is already being noted as Chris Froome’s biggest competition. Although the lack of Time Trial miles may hinder the young Dutch talent and he’s already declared he’s waiting for the Giro route. Chris Froome is hoping to add to his 4 yellow jerseys. Nairo Quintana will be looking to improve on a disappointing season with Mikel Landa by his side. Can Romain Bardet add to his impressive results list along side Warrn Barguil. Dan Martin and Richie Porte are both powerful contenders for the yellow jersey after disappointing ends in 2017. The up and coming Yates twins will also certainly add to the excitement.
Stages:
| Stage | Date | Start/Finish | Distance |
| 1 | Saturday, July 7 | Noirmoutier-en-l’Île to Fontenay-le-Comte | 189km |
| 2 | Sunday, July 8 | Mouilleron-Saint-Germain to La Roche-sur-Yon | 183km |
| 3 | Monday, July 9 | Cholet to Cholet | 35km (TTT) |
| 4 | Tuesday, July 10 | La Baule to Sarzeau | 192km |
| 5 | Wednesday, July 11 | Lorient to Quimper | 203km |
| 6 | Thursday, July 12 | Brest to Mûr de Bretagne | 181km |
| 7 | Friday, July 13 | Fougères to Chartres | 231km |
| 8 | Saturday, July 14 | Dreux to Amiens | 181km |
| 9 | Sunday, July 15 | Arras to Roubaix | 154km |
| Rest Day | Monday, July 16 | Annecy | – |
| 10 | Tuesday, July 17 | Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand | 159km |
| 11 | Wednesday, July 18 | Albertville to La Rosière | 108km |
| 12 | Thursday, July 19 | Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Alpe d’Huez | 175km |
| 13 | Friday, July 20 | Bourg d’Oisans to Valence | 169km |
| 14 | Saturday, July 21 | Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteuax to Mende | 187km |
| 15 | Sunday, July 22 | Millau to Carcassonne | 181km |
| Rest Day | Monday, July 23 | Carcassonne | – |
| 16 | Tuesday, July 24 | Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon | 218km |
| 17 | Wednesday, July 25 | Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan/Col-de-Portet | 65km |
| 18 | Thursday, July 26 | Trie-sur-Baïse to Pau | 172km |
| 19 | Friday, July 27 | Lourdes to Laruns | 200km |
| 20 | Saturday, July 28 | Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle to Espelette | 31km (ITT) |
| 21 | Sunday, July 29 | Houilles to Paris | 115km |
