Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik proudly accepted a yellow jersey for his son Christian, while the dominator of the past few years, Tadej Pogacar, watched the presentation of the 109th Tour de France in the chic Parisian Palais des Congrès with an emotionless poker face. With the Grand Départ in Denmark, a cobblestone stage in northern France, the return of the legend of Alpe d'Huez and four other mountain arrivals, the tour promises to be a grandiose summer spectacle from July 1 to 24, 2022. The German cycling hope Emanuel Buchmann should also be happy about the route with only one long time trial.
“Alpe d'Huez, the cobblestones.
That looks good.
The cobblestones are a challenge that appeals to me.
I've never driven that before, ”said Pogacar on Thursday and enthused:“ It's going to be an incredible race. ”With his wins in 2020 and 2021, the 23-year-old Slovenian is the man to beat.
And with the almost 20 kilometers of cobblestones on the fifth stage, the tour organizers are at least facing a new task for Pogacar.
This will also be given before on the three stages in Denmark, on which wind edges are to be expected.
On the seventh stage, the first mountain finish is on the ski slope of La Planche des Belles Filles - and therefore familiar terrain for Pogacar, Buchmann and the other ranking drivers.
A preliminary decision could well be made in the Alps.
Stage eleven ends on the 2413 meter high Col du Granon, one day later it goes back to Alpe d'Huez for the first time since 2018.
The 2642 meter high Col du Galibier has to be climbed on both days.
For lightweight Buchmann, fourth on the tour in 2019, a course like a painting.
The mountain arrivals in the Pyrenees on the stages to Peyragudes and Hautacam should also please the Ravensburger.
The sticking point on the total of 3328 kilometers from Copenhagen to Paris with side trips to Belgium and Switzerland is likely to be the 40-kilometer individual time trial on the penultimate day.
Usually the fight against the clock is not one of Buchmann's strengths, but the route planners have built in two steep climbs between Lacapelle Marival and Rocamadour.
“Copenhagen and Denmark are a new frontier for the tour.
It will be the northernmost Grand Départ in history, ”said Prudhomme at the presentation, which was once again held as a face-to-face event.
In addition to tour winner Pogacar, British sprint star Mark Cavendish and French world champion Julian Alaphilippe were among the guests.
The Tour de France Femmes route was also presented.
The women's race is experiencing its renaissance from July 24th to 31st, 2022 and leads over eight stages and 1029 kilometers from Paris to the mountain final in La Planche des Belles Filles.
The race director is Marion Rousse, Alaphilippe's partner.
“A dream is coming true,” she said.