Cobblestones and Alpe d’Huez-such will be the Tour de France trail in 2022
A visit to the cobblestones from Paris-Roubaix and a comeback on the mountain monster Alpe d’Huez will be some of the ingredients in the next few years’ Tour de France.
It became clear when the organizers of the French ASO on Thursday presented the route the riders must go through in the 109th edition of the world’s most prestigious bicycle race.
Thus, the cycling stars return to the Alpe d’Huez mountain, one of the Tour’s iconic climbs, for the first time since 2018. At that time, British Geraint Thomas took a strong stage victory wearing the yellow leader jersey. It is stage number twelve which this time reveals the same place.
Stage number five goes on parts of the cobblestone sections used during Paris-Roubaix, the race which goes by the name «Hell in the north». A total of eleven cobblestone sections have been laid in just under 20 kilometers, and the finish line will be in Arenberg. There is Thor Hushovd and stage in 2010.
As in this year’s edition of the race, it will be the last final stage and pace stage. It will thus again be one of those who can get an end in itself with the overall winner and the generous yellow leader jersey.
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar has won the race the two previous years, this year ahead of the Danish sensation Jonas Vingegaard.
Danish start
Some parts of the 2022 trail were known in advance. The hunt for stage victories and the generous jerseys starts in Copenhagen on 1 July. Then further stages will be ridden on Danish soil, before the bicycle circus moves to France.
Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik participated in Thursday’s announcement.
Copenhagen was originally supposed to be responsible for the start of the year Tour, but as a result of the virus pandemic and the postponed European Championship play-off, the plan was changed and postponed by one year.
The 2022 edition begins with a 13-kilometer-long pace stage in the center of Copenhagen. It is the first time since 2017 that the Tour begins with a pace stage and not a prologue.
Then two traditional stages awaited on the country road in flat terrain. After all sun marks, the moment of uncertainty here will be the danger of wind.
The women’s race back
Stage number to start in Roskilde, and on the way to the finish line in Nyborg, the riders will, among other things, cross the 18-kilometer-long Great Belt Bridge. It guarantees spectacular TV pictures.
Stage number three runs between Vejle and Sønderborg.
Then awaits an unusually early rest day, which the organizer has needed to put in as a result of the transfer between Denmark and France. The first stage on French soil has started in Dunkirk.
Furthermore, the riders will visit Switzerland, among other places. Of other tough climbs to climb, La Planche Belles Filles is known for ending with a gravel road to the top. It was used as a pace stage for the gentleman in 2019.
In the last week, stage finishes have been added to the tops of the Peyragudes and Hautacam mountains.
Eight stages for the women
The world’s best female cyclists should also be a Tour de France next year. This route was also presented on Thursday. The first stage starts at the Eiffel Tower and takes place on the Champs-Élysées, the parade route which, according to tradition, is the arena for the finish line of the men’s races.
The toughest mountain stage has a finish line at the top of the aforementioned La Planche Belles Filles.
The women’s race consists of eight stages.
(© NTB)