THE ROUTE
Will the growing strength
of a new generation
of Colombian riders
contribute to the quality
of the contest?
For those who remember
the Tour in the 1980s, the
Colombians are linked to
the legend of Bernard
Hinault. The likes of
Rodriguez, Florez and
then Herrera emerged and
reshuffled the pack. What
is certain is that Colombia
breathes cycling and that
Egan Bernal has the look of
a phenomenon. But on the
Col de Turini during Paris-
Nice, I could see Quintana’s
gaze affirming: “I’m still
here.” The competition from
the young Colombians is
pushing him on.
This year, the centenary
of the yellow jersey has
prompted us to organise
three finishes above 2 000m,
as well as a stage with three
climbs above this altitude.
The Colombians shouldn’t
be troubled by these tests,
and won’t be frightened by
them. There could well be an
incredible fight!
A century ago, Eugène
Christophe lost the yellow
jersey on the penultimate
stage. A change of leader
at the very end of the
Tour, in Val Thorens for
example, would be a nice
present...
Yes, especially as it will also
be the 30th anniversary
of the tightest Tour finish
in history, when just eight
seconds separated Greg
LeMond from Laurent
Fignon. And it is possible
that everything will change
at Val Thorens. ●
“WITH SO MANY MOUNTAINS
IN PLAY, THERE WILL
NEVER BE MORE THAN TWO
CONSECUTIVE STAGES THAT
SUIT THE SPRINTERS”
THE 2019
TOUR AT
A GLANCE
The 106th edition will
cover 3 460km through
Belgium and France.
THE STAGES
• 7 flat stages
• 5 hilly stages
• 7 mountain stages
• 1 individual time trial
• 1 team time trial
• 2 rest days
THE CLIMBS
These are a big feature
of the 2019 route, with
30 categorised climbs
across all four mountain
ranges in France – the
Vosges, Central Massif,
Pyrenees and Alps.
There are five summit
finishes: at La Planche
des Belles Filles (stage 6),
Tourmalet (stage 14), Foix
Prat d’Albis (stage 15),
Tignes (stage 19) and Val
Thorens (stage 20).
The Col de l’Iseran, at an
altitude of 2 770m, will be
the highest point on this
year’s tour, on stage 19.
THE TIME TRIALS
Stage 2 features a 27.6km
team time trial in Brussels.
Stage 13 has a 27.2km
individual time trial in Pau,
on the 100th anniversary
of the yellow jersey.
THE BONUS POINTS
Attacking riders will be
awarded with 8, 5 and 2
seconds for being the first
to crest key summits.
Stage 3: Côte de Mutigny
Stage 6: Col des Chevrères
Stage 8: Côte de la Jaillière
Stage 9: Côte de Saint-Just
Stage 12: Hourquette
d’Ancizan
Stage 15: Mur de Péguère
Stage 18: Col du Galibier
Stage 19: Col de l’Iseran
2 0 1 9 TO U R D E FR ANCE
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