Tour de France Tour de France 2026 route rumours

[Netserk]

But...but somebody will scream 'Elevation gain!!!'

lol its the most optimal use of elevation gain possible to reach the alpe

 

[Peyresourde]

Though stage 8 is really a tragedy. Same start and finish location as the legendary Indurain TT from 1994. They really missed an opportunity to retrace the same route. It would have been so interesting to compare times.

I think Indurain was so good that day that even with modern bikes only Evenepoel could beat his time.

 

[nightowl]

I think you are overreacting. Knowing UAE and Visma they will completely destroy the peloton on stage 6. Since Visma believes they can only win if the race is long and hard, they will make it hard and go for it during stage 10, 13, 14, 15.

By then not many riders will be within 2-3min of Pogacar, Vingegaard.

I hope they do blow it up on stage 6 so ASO look silly while *** all happens for a week and a half afterwards and the race is all but settled anyway

 

[Red Rick]

lol its the most optimal use of elevation gain possible to reach the alpe

Alpe d'Huez-Solude-Alpe d'Huez is the only half decent way

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I'm not exaggerating; a route designed so that nothing happens in GC s a terrible route. And this one is ridiculously designed for that purpose.

The route designers shot themselves in their feet by doing such a backloaded route and the effect will be completely opposite. Because there are really no difficult stages in the proximity of stage 6 contenders won't be saving themselves and it will be an all out battle resulting in big gaps.

In fact it's a perfect stage to achieve big gaps. The last 10 km of Tourmalet average almost 9% and the peleton will be in pieces at the top, likely single riders or in groups of 2-4. Then it will be hard to chase downhill and this 4% drag to the finish won't favour chasing as well: the strongest guys could increase their gaps even more. It's a bit like Finestre-Sestriere combo or Mortirolo-Aprica.

Either UAE will detonate the race or Visma: I can't see both teams riding easily there because the goal is to capitalize on good form on your leader and make the race hard (as next chances will be much later).

 

[Red Rick]

The route designers shot themselves in their feet by doing such a backloaded route and the effect will be completely opposite. Because there are really no difficult stages in the proximity of stage 6 contenders won't be saving themselves and it will be an all out battle resulting in big gaps.

In fact it's a perfect stage to achieve big gaps. The last 10 km of Tourmalet average almost 9% and the peleton will be in pieces at the top, likely single riders or in groups of 2-4. Then it will be hard to chase downhill and this 4% drag to the finish won't favour chasing as well: the strongest guys could increase their gaps even more. It's a bit like Finestre-Sestriere combo or Mortirolo-Aprica.

Either UAE will detonate the race or Visma: I can't see both teams riding easily there because the goal is to capitalize on good form on your leader and make the race hard (as next chances will be much later).

It's brilliant.

Either the race is decided and the rest will be ass, or it's undecided and the rest will be cheeks.

Also, people getting excited about a queen stage where every time the penultimate climb has been raced full gas as penultimate climb it has resulted in a 30+ man group at the bottom of the final climb is some generational delulu aura loss

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It's brilliant.

Either the race is decided and the rest will be ass, or it's undecided and the rest will be cheeks.

Also, people getting excited about a queen stage where every time the penultimate climb has been raced full gas as penultimate climb it has resulted in a 30+ man group at the bottom of the final climb is some generational delulu aura loss

Not sure If I understood you correctly. Which stage is the queen of this Tour according to you? Do you think there'll be 30+ man group after Tourmalet descent (including Pogacar & Vingo or very close to them) if UAE or Visma go full gas uphill? Pogacar could be 2 minutes ahead of non-aliens there (Vingo and Seixas could have good gap as well). The only realistic scenario in which it could fail is when infuriated Pogacar slows down bacause of non-cooperating Vingo sticking to his wheel (or vice versa).

 

[Red Rick]

Not sure If I understood you correctly. Which stage is the queen of this Tour according to you? Do you think there'll be 30+ man group after Tourmalet descent (including Pogacar & Vingo or very close to them) if UAE or Visma go full gas uphill? Pogacar could be 2 minutes ahead of non-aliens there (Vingo and Seixas could have good gap as well). The only scenario in which it could fail is if infuriated Pogacar slows down bacause of non-cooperating Vingo sticking to his wheel (or vice versa).

Tis clearly the Galibier-Sarenne stage.

 

[Netserk]

Also, people getting excited about a queen stage where every time the penultimate climb has been raced full gas as penultimate climb it has resulted in a 30+ man group at the bottom of the final climb is some generational delulu aura loss

i wonder if they have ever had it as penultimate climb where the last climb started at the same point as this year

 

[Valv.Piti]

Its a great Grand Depart. In fact, its a great first 6 stages. Then it gets very bad, and then it gets good again around stage 13. Thats the short analysis. Seen much worse.

For spectators, its great to watch 3 stages in an around Barcelona and 2 stages on Alpe d' Huez. Shouldnt be underestimated either

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Tis clearly the Galibier-Sarenne stage.

I wouldn't count too much on epic Galibier action: it can happen if the trailing guy has a big gap to overcome and it's the only option, a long-shot and very long-range attack. There's a 15-20 km shallow section before Sarenne so Van Aert and/or Campenaerts guys would be needed in the breakaway to help out. Most likely it won't succeed and guys will get back together before Sarenne. Under normal circumstances Sarenne will be the goal of top riders (it could still be pretty good 20-25 km finale)

 

[Valv.Piti]

i wonder if they have ever had it as penultimate climb where the last climb started at the same point as this year

I like the reference. Absolutely lovely place btw for cyclotourists - short loop of Les Deux Alpes, crepés on top, descend down to starting spot and Sarenne up to the ADH village was a great little rest day ride!

 

[Coppi-Bartali]

Its a great Grand Depart. In fact, its a great first 6 stages. Then it gets very bad, and then it gets good again around stage 13. Thats the short analysis. Seen much worse.

For spectators, its great to watch 3 stages in an around Barcelona and 2 stages on Alpe d' Huez. Shouldnt be underestimated either

There is only one stage in the Pyrenees, and with only one decent climb.

 

[Red Rick]

i wonder if they have ever had it as penultimate climb where the last climb started at the same point as this year

Granon was 1km closer.

 

[Netserk]

only one decent climb :

 

[Netserk]

Granon was 1km closer.

thats on the other side of lautaret

 

[Krzysztof_O]

only one decent climb :

I was about to agree on that but the gradient variation on Finestre is so low that even 90 kg Pippo the Tank Engine would catch his rhytm and climb it under an hour (on a TT bike).

 

[Red Rick]

"Don't call me crazy babe, but Galibier is basically Finestre"

 

[Netserk]

"Don't call me crazy babe, but Galibier is basically Finestre"

better yet

mythical tourmalet

 

[Red Rick]

better yet

mythical tourmalet

Can I summon @Libertine Seguros to share in the disgust?

 

[Peyresourde]

If the race situation is similar to the last years, then Pogacar will follow any Vingegaard attack whether it comes 500 meters or 500 kilometers from the finish, so specific stage design is not that important. Luckily for Vingegaard, stage 20 is perfect to try my recommended strategy on Glandon for real this time.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Can I summon @Libertine Seguros to share in the disgust?

Two words.

Weekend stages.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Prudhomme is the worst thing that ahs ever happened to cylcing.

 

[houtdffan]

Prudhomme is the worst thing that ahs ever happened to cylcing.

I'd say Gouvenou is

At least under Pescheux the TT had some importance

 

[Berniece]

I'd say Gouvenou is

At least under Pescheux the TT had some importance

You guys are completely ignoring UCI leadership here