The route of the Tour de France 2016, presented this morning in Paris before an audience of almost 4,000 people, gives the strong men of the mountains opportunities spread over 17 days. Chris Froome was amongst those present at the Palais des Congrès to discover the route.
“The mountain stages have been spread out between the 5th and the 20th stages, from the Massif Central to the Alps via the Pyrenees and the Jura. I am willing to bet that, once again, the intermediate mountain ranges will not just provide us with indicators. They will make the selection,” says Christian Prudhomme.
The opening stages starting at the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel will suit the sprinters, with difficulties beginning to arise half-way through the first week in the form of a passage through the French Department of Cantal and a finish in Le Lioran ski resort, where the favourites will come to the fore.
The Pyrenees stages will feature the Andorran stage of Arcalis after which the peloton will have a rest day. As had been previously revealed, the riders will take on Mont Ventoux on July 14th. After that, they will face a demanding time-trial stage in the Ardèche at Caverne de Pont d’Arc and a difficult stage featuring the Grand Colombier on the stage to Culoz.
Mont Blanc will be the backdrop, when the race reaches the Alps. The Tour visits Switzerland where the riders will take on the climb of Finhaut-Emosson and they will also face a time-trial between Sallanches and Megève. The penultimate stage to Morzine will feature a tricky descent before the traditional finish in Paris.
Anyone plan on going to spectate and ride?
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