The eagerly anticipated route for the 2025 Tour de France was unveiled in Paris on Tuesday, showcasing a course that promises to test even the most formidable cyclists. However, for Tadej Pogacar, the reigning champion and winner of nearly every major race in 2024, the challenges of mountains, crosswinds, cobbles, and time trials are unlikely to hinder his quest for a fourth consecutive victory.
Set to kick off on July 5 in Lille, the Tour will return to its traditional finish on the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 27, after a one-year hiatus due to the Paris Olympics. Pogacar, who has transformed from a promising young talent into a dominant force in cycling, is expected to be the overwhelming favorite on a route that includes numerous sprint stages, steep climbs, and summit finishes.
The race will navigate through the northeastern corner of France before heading west towards Brittany. Following a finish on the Mûr-de-Bretagne, the peloton will face their first mountain finish on July 14, coinciding with Bastille Day, at Puy de Sancy. Subsequent stages will feature three mountain finishes in the Pyrenees, culminating in a mountain time trial at the Peyragudes altiport. The legendary Mont Ventoux, known for its dramatic history, will also make an appearance, including a memorable showdown between Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard during the 2021 Tour.
After tackling the Ventoux, cyclists will venture into the Savoie region, encountering additional summit finishes at the Col de la Loze and La Plagne. With these significant climbs on the horizon, another epic rivalry between Pogacar and Vingegaard is anticipated.
While Pogacar aims for yet another title, the Ineos Grenadiers team faces its own challenges, seeking direction following a recent managerial overhaul. Tom Pidcock’s expressed dissatisfaction raises questions about his future with the team, and veteran Geraint Thomas enters the final year of his cycling career, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the squad.
The excitement continues with the Tour de France Femmes, set to commence in Brittany on July 26. This year’s edition features nine stages with over 17,000 meters of climbing, leading to the French Alps. The women’s race will culminate in three mountain stages, including a summit finish on the daunting Col de la Madeleine.
Demi Vollering, who narrowly missed out on the Tour Femmes title this year to climber Kasia Niewadoma, has recently signed a lucrative deal with French team FDJ-Suez. She is expected to enter the race as a strong contender, having addressed the challenges she faced in the previous season.
Niewadoma's thrilling 4-second victory on Alpe d’Huez this past August marked one of the most exciting finishes in stage racing history. With Vollering's new team dynamics and Niewadoma's formidable skills, the upcoming race promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in women’s cycling.
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