This is the 111th Tour de France, and for race director Christian Prudhomme those three ones have real significance. He describes it as a race of firsts, breaking new ground by having its Grand Départ in Italy, the huge ascent of the Col du Galibier in its opening week, a sortie onto the gravel roads bisecting Champagne's vineyards, and, what's undoubtedly the most extraordinary innovation of all, a finish away from Paris, the finale taking place far to the south, in Nice.
The race gets under way on 29 June in Florence, the home city of two-time Tour winner Gino Bartali, one of the sport's great climbers. He would surely have approved of the opening stage to Rimini. Featuring 3,600 metres of vertical gain, it's arguably the toughest opener the race has ever seen and sets the tone for the three weeks ahead. Day two, for instance, features two ascents of the San Luca climb in Bologna, with its magnificent roadside colonnade that's the finale for the Giro dell'Emilia. Forty-eight hours later, the riders will cross the 2,642-metre Galibier before that Tom Pidcock descent into the finish at Valloire.
The sprinters should get three opportunities before the first time trial linking the illustrious Burgundy vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. Once past this test, the next big hurdle for the GC favourites will be in the vineyards of Champagne, where the peloton will tackle no fewer than 14 sections of white gravel road, amounting to 32.2km in total.
Massif attack
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike