Tour De France 2024: 5 Things To Know About This Unique Edition
Due to the Olympic Games, the 2024 Tour de France will not be quite like the others… As the capital prepares to host the Paris 2024 Olympics, the premier event of French cycling will not end on the Champs-Élysées but on the Promenade des Anglais! Here are 5 things to know about this edition that promises to be atypical.
1- The Tour de France will start from Florence in Italy.
For several years now, it has not been uncommon for the Tour de France to venture beyond the borders of France. After starting from Germany, Belgium, or Spain last year, the riders will set off from Tuscany! It is the first time in the history of the Grande Boucle that the starting city is located in Italy.
The start of the 2024 Tour de France will be given on Saturday, June 29th, in Florence, and you can follow this event on France 2 from 11:50 AM. The first four stages will take place in our transalpine neighbor's country until July 2, 2024, with the riders arriving in Valloire in Savoie.
This year, no fewer than 176 riders, divided into 22 teams, will take the start. All of them aspire to shine during these three weeks of competition and perhaps win one of the 21 stages of the Tour.
2- The Tour de France will end in Nice on the Promenade des Anglais.
The finish city of this 111th Tour de France is also a first in the history of the Grande Boucle. As the city of Paris is actively preparing for the Olympic Games, it was impossible for it to organize the Tour de France finish on the Champs-Élysées...
The 2024 Tour de France will therefore break with tradition and conclude on Sunday, July 21 on the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
The riders will arrive under the sun of the Côte d'Azur and in a dreamlike setting by the Mediterranean after a nearly 34 km time trial: a very unusual finale that could challenge the competitors!
3- With its unique route, the 2024 Tour de France promises to be challenging.
More broadly, the 2024 Tour de France route promises to be challenging, with a passage through the Alps as early as the 4th stage, between Pinerolo in Italy and Valloire in Savoie. Riders will tackle the mountains in this 138 km stage, before returning in the third week, with a stage between Gap and Barcelonnette on July 18, then between Embrun and Isola 2000 the following day...
The Alpine roads won't be the only difficulties competitors will face. The first days in Italy are expected to be immediately grueling, with stages over 200 km.
As for the stage that will take place in Troyes on Sunday, July 7, it will undoubtedly be the most atypical of all, with limestone roads, bumps, and dirt paths.
4- Julian Alaphilippe will not participate in the 2024 Tour de France.
Unlike previous editions, Julian Alaphilippe will not compete in the Grande Boucle this year. The French champion has decided to skip the 2024 Tour de France to focus on preparing for the Olympic Games.
The two-time world champion hopes to shine at the Olympic Games on August 3rd among the four riders who will represent France. His supporters should then see him at the World Championship (on September 29th) and the Tour of Lombardy (on October 12th).
5- The outcome of this cycling competition is uncertain.
This year, the Dane Jonas Vingegaard, double winner of the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023, is experiencing a mixed season after a fall during the Tour of the Basque Country in April.
The standout performer of the season is the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, who won the Giro in May 2024. Even though he is the favorite for the 2024 Tour de France, he will face several formidable opponents, including the Belgian Remco Evenepoel and the Slovenian Primoz Roglic... On the French side, Romain Bardet should aim for a stage victory.
With its unique route, this 111th edition could hold many surprises for viewers. As in previous years, you can follow the stages live on the France Télévisions channels. At the end of each stage, Laurent Luyat will review the highlights of the day with Franck Ferrand and Marion Rousse on Vélo Club on France 2.
