Tour de France Tour de France 2022 route rumors thread.

[ice&fire]

If there are cobbles in the Tour next year, then Wout van Aert will become a real asset for Roglic.

Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.

 

[Rackham]

Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.

Live & learn.

But considering their strength, I assume TJV would look at a cobbles stage as an opportunity more than as a problem. Riders can hit the deck in any situation on any terrain & in any weather conditions, but with Wout van Aert they have a cobbles specialist.

I don't see anyone of similar calibre for such a tricky stage in the UAE team.

 

[Red Rick]

Also curious when the cobbled stage would be in relation to mountain stages. I think in 2018 it really helped the rouleurs in the mountains in the Alps as well.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Also curious when the cobbled stage would be in relation to mountain stages. I think in 2018 it really helped the rouleurs in the mountains in the Alps as well.

Yeah, most of the smaller climbers were pretty beat up/sore from the cobbles. That's probably the main reason why it looked like a mid 90ies Tour with the TTers/bigger rouleurs dropping all the pure climbers uphill.
1 month to go until the presentation.

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah, most of the smaller climbers were pretty beat up/sore from the cobbles. That's probably the main reason why it looked like a mid 90ies Tour with the TTers/bigger rouleurs dropping all the pure climbers uphill.
1 month to go until the presentation.

I think the stage before is also a big reason Pogacar destroyed the rest on Romme/Colombiere so bad. And probably the others were more looking to hit their highest level in the 3rd week.

 

[Serpentin]

Cobbled stage=Crash Fiesta and 50 % of the contenders will be gone. I like the action but I prefer that everyone will be fully fit when the real GC stages begin.

 

[Pinot's goat]

Cobbled stage=Crash Fiesta and 50 % of the contenders will be gone. I like the action but I prefer that everyone will be fully fit when the real GC stages begin.

I don't recall any GC rider crashing out of contention in 2018, I think Landa was the most notable crash (back pain??) but that was because he was dumb and rode over a drain.

Edit: I think someone mentioned it above, maybe a pothole but not because of cobbles.

 

[Bonimenier]

Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.

Only semi true.

 

[Ricco']

I don't recall any GC rider crashing out of contention in 2018, I think Landa was the most notable crash (back pain??) but that was because he was dumb and rode over a drain.

Edit: I think someone mentioned it above, maybe a pothole but not because of cobbles.

Richie Porte but tbf it was before they arrived at the cobbles.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

Cobbled stage=Crash Fiesta and 50 % of the contenders will be gone. I like the action but I prefer that everyone will be fully fit when the real GC stages begin.

what "real GC stages"??

 

[RedheadDane]

what "real GC stages"??

Didn't you know? Riders are only allowed to take time in the mountains and TTs.

 

[Jan the Man]

Hoping the Tour continues this year's improvement in the design of the medium mountain/transition stages.

Would like to see the return of a decent long TT at the end of the Tour (circa 50km in length).

I have no issue with the Tour including a cobble stage from time to time, and it always adds jeopardy and excitement to what can often be a predictable opening week in the Tour (save for the crashes).

As for the mountains-

I've always enjoyed Pailhares- Ax-3 -domens combo as the combo climbs tend to work best when the hardest climb is first I think as it stops people waiting too much, of course always depends on how a climb is raced.

I love the Joux-Plane so would like to see that again maybe in combo with the Joux Verte, but judging by the rumors that looks unlikely.

I would welcome the return of a proper high altitude stage as looks likely. They often produce the best racing and largest time gaps.

 

[Froome]

Alpe d'huez, col du granon, hautacam, plateau de beille, cobbles, ih this rumours are true, it will be a hard tour.

 

[Escarabajo]

Alpe d'huez, col du granon, hautacam, plateau de beille, cobbles, ih this rumours are true, it will be a hard tour.

If true, ASO finally realized how human the last tours have been.

 

[Red Rick]

If true, ASO finally realized how human the last tours have been.

If true, they think all they need is HC finishes and never to try with routes ever again.

 

[Fyr3]

Some updated info Plateau de Beille finish now looking unlikely. which could mean a finish at Plateau de Bonascre (Ax 3 Domaines) or eslewhere in the Pyrenees. One rumour I am starting to see appear is Peyragudes, which I am in two minds about. I like the finish (especially since Bardet won there) but 3 climbs of the Peyresourde in 3 years seems excessive, and I would much rather a finish in Luchon after the Port de Bales or even if it becomes feasible with road works a return to Superbagneres. Oh and Lourdes/ Hautacam stage looking very likely now, we just aren't sure which it will be.

 

[Red Rick]

One rumour I am starting to see appear is Peyragudes

@gregrowlerson hello button my old friend

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Some updated info Plateau de Beille finish now looking unlikely. which could mean a finish at Plateau de Bonascre (Ax 3 Domaines) or eslewhere in the Pyrenees. One rumour I am starting to see appear is Peyragudes, which I am in two minds about. I like the finish (especially since Bardet won there) but 3 climbs of the Peyresourde in 3 years seems excessive, and I would much rather a finish in Luchon after the Port de Bales or even if it becomes feasible with road works a return to Superbagneres. Oh and Lourdes/ Hautacam stage looking very likely now, we just aren't sure which it will be.

I'd be okay with Peyragudes if they climbed it from the west. They haven't climbed Col d'Azet from the west in several decades IIRC. wouldn't mind seeing that combo, but the chances are of course slim to none.

I too much prefer Bales as a standalone climb and descent finish into Luchon. As an easy mountain stage, but an explosive one - in between harder mountain stages.

Happy to see that Plateau de Beille is out though. Never liked that climb.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I'd be okay with Peyragudes if they climbed it from the west. They haven't climbed Col d'Azet from the west in several decades IIRC. wouldn't mind seeing that combo, but the chances are of course slim to none.

They did Azet-west in the 2016 Luchon stage, FYI.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

@gregrowlerson hello button my old friend

Peyragudes now confirmed by France Bleu. Moreover, the Stage 20 TT will be between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour, in the Lot department as previously rumoured.

 

[railxmig]

Lacapelle-Marival? That's a rather random place. I expected Gouffre de Padirac. Lacapelle-Marival is quite far away and if they want to climb up Rocamadour from south (the Alzou valley) that would mean they would most likely pass through Gramat. That would be good 40km of bumpy and quite technical terrain. That's a lot for new ASO TdF standards.

With Pyrenees the problem is that there's not a lot of money unlike in the Alps and many stations were hit by the pandemic so i wouldn't be shocked if ASO still doesn't have the Pyreneean stages drawn. Peyragudes is a logical progression from Foix to Lourdes/Hautacam. Wonder if they'll decide to do Peyresourde and then climb from west or straight to Peyragudes from east. I guess the former if they want to repeat the Altiport finish.

I've also seen that Tournai and possibly Binche in Belgium are interested. Tournai could be possible as it's close to the Lille aglomeration, where the Tour will be housed after the transfer from Denmark.

 

[Froome]

Peyragudes now confirmed by France Bleu. Moreover, the Stage 20 TT will be between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour, in the Lot department as previously rumoured.

It will be a long itt?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

It will be a long itt?

The shortest route between the two towns is ~30k. That's the distance that's being hunted at, but it's also rumoured they will pass by the Gouffre de Padirac, which adds another ~10k. In any case it will be a rolling TT.

 

[Froome]

The shortest route between the two towns is ~30k. That's the distance that's being hunted at, but it's also rumoured they will pass by the Gouffre de Padirac, which adds another ~10k. In any case it will be a rolling TT.

40 km it's some acceptable distance. The tour will have a lot of mountain, so, it's important a long itt.
A itt with 60 km would be perfect.

 

[Sciatic]

Interesting—this news blurb mentions that the 3 stages in Denmark will be “off course”—does that mean cyclo-cross terrain or simply that the course will be so confusing riders will go the wrong way?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1443890737402232832

View: https://twitter.com/letourdk/status/1443890737402232832?s=21