41th Route du Sud (2.1)

[Native]

Here is the 2017 route, announced today in Toulouse.

So 4 stages, 672,9km, and a strong mountain stage in the Pyrenees. This year's specificity is the first medium moutain stage, with 3 climbs in Languedoc. The two other stages will also be quite hilly, though more surely dedicated to sprinters.

Full details

Teams

Great news, 7 World Tour and 5 Pro Continental teams, with hopefully some of their best riders in.

Live broadcast on Eurosport in 70 countries for the last 80km of each stage, just as last year.


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[Scarponi]

The old Suds used to have two to three mtfs and a TTT if I remember correctly ?

 

[Pantani_lives]

Finally, the race everybody is looking forward to!

I wish there was a Pyrenees stage like that in the Tour.

 

[DFA123]

Awesome to see the first three quarters of Gavarnie included. I thought they weren't allowed there though because of National Park status etc... or is that just if they would go all the way to the Col de Tentes?

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Re:

Awesome to see the first three quarters of Gavarnie included. I thought they weren't allowed there though because of National Park status etc... or is that just if they would go all the way to the Col de Tentes?

Sure heard that one regarding Troumouse and, to a different extent, Pont d'Espagne as we're in the general neighborhood.

Also, is that thing between Tourmalet and Gavarnie about 2/3 of Luz-Ardiden used as a pass?

 

[Valv.Piti]

When the mountain stages in the Pyrenees is harder than in the Tour de France

 

[Alexandre B.]

https://twitter.com/botero31/status/860059940077137920
The guy on the right won a hilly stage in the Tour de France 2014. Yep, that's Blel Kadri.

 

[Nirvana]

For the second year in a row it's a pretty easy route compared with previous editions.

 

[fauniera]

Re: Re:

Also, is that thing between Tourmalet and Gavarnie about 2/3 of Luz-Ardiden used as a pass?

Yes. Good stage.

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

Awesome to see the first three quarters of Gavarnie included. I thought they weren't allowed there though because of National Park status etc... or is that just if they would go all the way to the Col de Tentes?

Sure heard that one regarding Troumouse and, to a different extent, Pont d'Espagne as we're in the general neighborhood.

Also, is that thing between Tourmalet and Gavarnie about 2/3 of Luz-Ardiden used as a pass?

I am working for the organization. Indeed, we did not place the finish at the top of the Col des Tentes because of the Pyrenees National Park. Organizing a finish in this area is not forbidden, but extremely difficult since it required a lot (and complex) administrative authorizations. Not impossible, but too difficult for our structure, fully volunteer (even though we have to do a professional work).
But be sure it will be a great finish, with amazing landscapes and stunning climb.

The 'Route Forestière de Gaborisse' summit is not very far from Luz Ardiden. The riders will downhill by the side they used to climb in the Tour de France.

For the second year in a row it's a pretty easy route compared with previous editions.

Almost 10 000 meters of total ascent in only 4 stages, this is not what I call an 'easy route'. But that's true that we don't want a race only designed for pure climbers. Difficult but not extreme, it's an equilibrium that allows to attract all types of riders, especially those who are preparing the national championships.

Nevertheless, the total ascent of stage 3 is 4 800m, and 3 100 meters in the last 90kms. I believe that there is only the Giro d'Italia which proposes a tougher finish in the whole calendar.

 

[fauniera]

The route is great, Antoine, and certainly not easy.

 

[Nirvana]

Re:

For the second year in a row it's a pretty easy route compared with previous editions.

Almost 10 000 meters of total ascent in only 4 stages, this is not what I call an 'easy route'. But that's true that we don't want a race only designed for pure climbers. Difficult but not extreme, it's an equilibrium that allows to attract all types of riders, especially those who are preparing the national championships.

Nevertheless, the total ascent of stage 3 is 4 800m, and 3 100 meters in the last 90kms. I believe that there is only the Giro d'Italia which proposes a tougher finish in the whole calendar.

Last year also with two and an half stages for sprinters there were only Coquard and Demare as top sprinters, i think that one stage for sprinters it's enough for a four day stage race that usually attracts some top climbers that prepare the Tour. I don't think will be too pure climbers friendly with a sprinters stage, a time trial and two mountain stages with one MTF and one with the finish after a descent like Bagneres de Luchon in 2013 and 2015.

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

We have a lot of ideas for the next years. Add a hilly stage or a medium mountain one is an option. But we also have to manage with candidate cities and to design the route by taking into account all the constraints (budget, accomodation, UCI rules, administrative authorizations etc.)

By example, there are more than 150kms of dirty roads (strade bianche) in the Languedoc, not very far from Montpellier, Sète and Clermont-l'Hérault. It would be awesome to design a stage in this area, but 2 weeks before the Tour, is it really the good way to attract big names at the start ?

 

[Flamin]

The route looks good, I like the set-up. Hilly, flat with uphill finish, mountain, flat. Doesn't need much change.

Any news already on some big names lining up?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Thanks for the inputs, Antoine, and good job!

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

Re:

The route looks good, I like the set-up. Hilly, flat with uphill finish, mountain, flat. Doesn't need much change.

Any news already on some big names lining up?

Aru, Landa or Thomas, Valverde or Quintana, Voeckler, Rolland, Pinot, Coquard and Démare can be expected

Thanks for the inputs, Antoine, and good job!

Thank you

 

[Forever The Best]

Very good route, Antoine. Tourmalet, the pass in 2/3 of Luz Ardiden from the opposite side and Gavarnie is a very good combo.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Wow, thats some very great names. I doubt every one of those will turn up, but still.

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

Full roadbook :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByKdMdSvVX8HNG16TGRKME5ObGc/view

5 olympic medalists at the start thursday : Uran, Sanchez, Coquard, Viviani and Geraint Thomas.
Other "big names" : Voeckler, Sergio Henao, Poels, Rolland, Lutsenko, Slagter, Teuns, Dupont, Sepulveda, Finetto, Pardilla, Arroyo, Moscon, Van Poppel, Rosa, Elissonde, Loubet

 

[Red Rick]

When the combined routes of the Route du Sud and the Tour de France, combined a grand 11 stages, are decidedly better than the Tour de France.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Daamn the Sky crew means business in this race, still doesn't know why at least one of them isnt riding Suisse instead lol. Maybe they think that race is too demanding ahead of TdF or something #marginalgains

 

[Netserk]

Re:

When the combined routes of the Route du Sud and the Dauphiné, combined a grand 12 stages, are decidedly better than the Tour de France.

You're welcome.

 

[Tour_de_Calvados]

The stage over the Tourmalet looks great and far better than recent TdF stages.

I can't believe that is Kadri in the picture - not much French knowledge required to understand the tone of responses to that Twitter post...

 

[Frankschleck]

Re:

https://twitter.com/botero31/status/860059940077137920
The guy on the right won a hilly stage in the Tour de France 2014. Yep, that's Blel Kadri.

what happened to him, he issnt even that old :/

 

[Tour_de_Calvados]

Re: Re:

https://twitter.com/botero31/status/860059940077137920
The guy on the right won a hilly stage in the Tour de France 2014. Yep, that's Blel Kadri.

what happened to him, he issnt even that old :/

Yeah, according to CQ ranking he was riding for AG2R until the end of last year, didn't even realise he had retired.