Everything is ready for the second Grand Tour of the season, obviously the most awaited, the Tour de France. Special edition with the spectacular departure from Italy, between Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont, and the arrival not in Paris (given the Olympics a few days later), but in Nice. In between, many mountains on which Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic will compete. Let’s discover the twenty-one stages in detail.
TOUR DE FRANCE 2024 ROUTE
First stop (29 June): Florence-Rimini (206 km) ***
Immediately a very interesting section on Italian soil with 3847 meters of altitude difference and seven GPM to tackle. First part which will see Colle Tre Faggi (12.5 km at 5.1%), Forche (2.5 km at 6.2%) and Carnaio (10.5 km at 4.6%), then a long descent and great final with Barbotto (5.8 km at 7.6%) which precedes San Leo (4.6 km at 7.7%), Montemaggio (4.2 km at 6.6%) and San Marino (7.1 km at 4.8%), with the top of the hill 26 kilometers from the finish line.
Second stage (30 June): Cesenatico-Bologna (200 km) ***
Another day that was anything but predictable in Emilia Romagna. This time there are six GPMs: Colle del Monticino (2 km at 7.5%), Gallisterna (1.2 km at 12.8%), Botteghino di Zocca (1.9 km at 6.9%), Montecalvo ( 2.7 km at 7.7%) and above all the San Luca, to be tackled twice. The last climb to the famous Bolognese hill (1.9 km at 10.6% with a maximum gradient of 19%) will also be valid as a bonus and will have the top of the hill 13 kilometers from the finish.
Third stage (July 1st): Piacenza-Turin (229 km) *
Third stage entirely in Italy and first sprint of the Grande Boucle which will arrive in the Piedmontese capital. Three GPMs, the last, Sommariva Perno, with the top of the hill 40 kilometers from the finish line.
Fourth stage (July 2): Pinerolo-Valloires (138 km) ****
A short but very tough stage that takes the Tour from Italy to France: Sestriere (39.9 km at 3.7%), Montgenevre (8.3 km at 5.9%) and above all Galibier (23 km at 5.1 %, you go above 2600 meters above sea level) before arriving downhill.
Fifth stage (3 July): Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne-Saint-Vulbas (177 km) *
Everything is ready for the second sprint: two GPMs, but far from the finish line.
Sixth stage (4 July): Maçon-Dijon (163 km) *
Another practically predictable sprint with the sprinters still able to battle it out.
Seventh stage (July 5): Nuits-Saint-Georges-Gevrey-Chambertin (25 km, individual time trial) ****
Here’s the first time trial: it’s short, it has a 1.6km climb at 6.5% halfway, so it’s not for pure specialists.
Eighth stage (6 July): Semur-en-Axois-Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises (176 km) ***
Not an obvious fraction, probably due to breakaways: seven GPM (all in the first part of the race), 2302 meters of altitude difference and a choppy finish.
Ninth stage (7 July): Troyes-Troyes (199 km) ****
Here comes the pavé: there are as many as fourteen sectors with stones, also alternating with some GPM and if it were to rain… A fraction that promises to be truly spectacular.
Tenth stage (9 July): Orléans-Saint-Amand-Montrond (187 km) *
It opens with a sprint and a quiet day the second week after the rest day.
Eleventh stage (10 July): Evaux-les-Bains-Le Lloran (211 km) ***
Here the mountains return, we climb the Massif Central: 4192 meters of altitude difference. At the end we find Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol (5.4 km at 8.1%), Col de Pertus (4.4 km at 7.9%) and Col de Font de Cère (3.3 km at 5.8%) practically near the finish line.
Twelfth stage (July 11): Aurillac-Villeneuve-sur-Lot (204 km) **
The sprint is not a given in this stage given that the start of the stage is very choppy, the breakaway could go away and it will be difficult to manage it.
Thirteenth stage (12 July): Agen-Pau (171 km) **
Lots of flat terrain, two steep climbs after a hundred kilometers but far from the finish line: the sprinters won’t let this opportunity slip away.
Fourteenth stage (July 13): Pau-Saint-Lary-Soulan (152 km) *****
Here are the Pyrenees: Tourmalet (18.9 kilometers at 7.4%), Horquette d’Ancizan (8.3 km at 5%) and Pla d’Adet (10.6 km at 8%) to close, it will be a very hard day.
Fifteenth stage (14 July): Loudenvielle-Plateau de Beille (198 km) *****
Another five-star fraction: we start from Peyresourde (6.9 km at 7.8%), practically ready to go. Then Col de Menté (9.3 km at 9.1%) and Col de Portet-d’Aspet (4.3 km at 9.6%). Valley floor to catch your breath for a moment and grand finale: Col d’Agnes (10 km at 8.2%) and arrival at the summit of the Plateau de Beille (15.8 km at 7.9%).
Sixteenth stage (July 16): Gruissan-Nimes (187 km) *
The sprinters are back on stage on this completely flat day.
Seventeenth stage (July 17): Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux-Superdèvoluy (178 km) ***
It goes up again. At the end, first hints of the Alps: Col Bayard (6.8 km at 7.3%), Col du Noyer (7.5 km at 8.1%) and Superdévoluy (3.8 km at 5.9%) all ‘I arrive.
Eighteenth stage (July 18): Gap-Barcelonette (179 km) ***
Probably a day for breakaways. Six côtes to tackle, but not very tough: the last one, Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées (3.6 km at 5.4%) at 35 kilometers from the finish.
Nineteenth stage (July 19): Embrun-Isola 2000 (145 km) *****
Here is a five-star fraction in the Alps. Col de Vars (18.8 km at 5.7%), Cime de la Bonette (reaching 2800 meters with 22.9 km at 6.9%) and Isola 2000 (16 .1 km at 7.1%).
Twentieth stage (July 20): Nice-Col de la Couillole (133 km) *****
The general classification will be decided with a short but very intense stage. In fact we find Col de Braus (10 km at 6.6%), Col de Turini (20.7 km at 5.7%, peak at 8.5%), Col de la Colmiane (7.5 km at 7, 1%) and Col de la Couillole (15.7 km at 7.1%).
Twenty-first stage (21 July): Monaco-Nice (34 km, individual time trial) *****
Unlike other editions, the Tour is not finished: in fact the catwalk is missing. Here is the time trial that can overturn the balance: 34 km with La Turbie (8.1 km at 5.6%) and the Col d’Eze (1.6 km at 8.8%).
