With the Grand Départ in Lille, the Tour de France kicks off on French soil for the first time in years, following previous starts in Copenhagen, Bilbao, and Florence. The first week looks favorable for sprinters and punchers, but it also includes a flat time trial of approximately 33 kilometers in and around Caen. The finish line for stage seven awaits at the Mûr-de-Bretagne.

After ten stages, the peloton will enjoy its first rest day, followed by three demanding days perfect for pure climbers. In stage 11, the peloton will summit Hautacam, where Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert dominated in 2022. Stage 12’s finish line is drawn atop Luchon-Superbagnères after almost 5,000 meters of elevation gain. Friday brings a challenging 11-kilometer time trial up the slopes of Peyragudes.

Following this grueling Pyrenean trio, the peloton faces two mostly flat stages before taking a second rest day. The final week holds more mountain challenges, including the iconic Mont Ventoux, a climb fondly remembered by Van Aert, who won a stage there in 2021 after a double ascent of its legendary barren slopes.

Next year’s closing week is set to be brutal, with the ASO incorporating climbs such as the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Glandon, La Plagne, and the Col de la Loze. It was on the Col de la Loze in 2023 that Vingegaard decisively claimed victory in the Tour de France.

Grischa Niermann, head of racing for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, attended the presentation in Paris with CEO Richard Plugge. “At first glance, it’s a beautiful yet challenging route,” Niermann commented. “With climbs like Hautacam, Mont Ventoux, and Col de la Loze, we have many good memories. While that means nothing in advance, it does provide a small mental boost. With nearly 55,000 meters of climbing, this will be another Tour for the climbers, with most of the climbs concentrated in the second and third week. That said, the first week is by no means easy – the Tour never is. This route is one that will certainly appeal to us at Team Visma | Lease a Bike.”

“Jonas Vingegaard couldn’t be here today, but I imagine he’ll be pleased with the route,” the German continued. “But the same likely goes for riders like Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, and Remco Evenepoel. I think this is also a course where Wout van Aert could make an impact. In the coming period, we’ll sit down with all the riders to finalize plans for the upcoming season. All options are still on the table at this point. We’re going to prepare for the 2025 Tour de France in the best possible way.”