The Tour de France 2019 was presented this Thursday in Paris. The steps are now known. What could be the highlights?
The stage of The Board of Beautiful Girls
It will be a mountain stage this July 11, not a day of mountain. Five climbs are scheduled (one from 10.8 km to 5.4%, one from 5.3 km to 6.9%, one from 11 km to 5.8%, one from 3.5 km to 9.5% and finally the final climb of 7 km to 8.7%). The last two terminals will be formidable with passages to 20 and 24% within 200 meters of the line. The previous winners up there: Froome, Nibali and Aru, are all runners to have played the general. This is to say if this appointment is reserved for the best.
The chrono of Pau
The only individual time trial of this Tour de France 2019, these 27 km around Pau will launch the big fight for the general. A priori, they are less difficult than those of last year in the Basque Country, the day before the arrival, but this individual effort will set the tone before the mountain stages to more than 2,000 meters (including the next day) . The rather flat profile could benefit the rollers (Dumoulin, Froome, Thomas if the Tour), and complicate the task of pure climbers. Watch out for the big differences created ...
Tarbes - Col du Tourmalet
For the third time, the Col du Tourmalet, mythical decoration of the Great Loop, will serve as an arrival at a stage of the Tour de France. This time, next summer, the riders will be entitled to the Col du Soulor before climbing the Pyrenees Giant. The day will be short (117 km), located after the lap of Pau so with potential big gaps in the general. This will be the first finish at more than 2,000 meters (2,115 meters). Two passes, therefore, but the 19 km of Tourmalet, facing Barèges, are endless (7.4% average), with an explosive final and very steep slopes.
Albertville - Val Thorens
The day before the arrival, 24 hours from the Champs, the Tour could still switch. Of course, a significant advantage is likely to be already created in the standings and it could offer some margin to the Yellow Jersey, as is often the case in recent years. But on a similar stage profile (131 km, climbs of Cormet Roselend, Côte de Longefoy and climb Val Thorens), and after a series of difficulties since a big week, everything can still be played. The arrival, in addition, is 2,365 meters Val Thorens after 33 km of climbing. It will also be about alliances, potentially, schemes to preserve these places of honor. Last-chance attempts might be attempted. Very spectacular stage in sight.