The 2022 Tour de France begins in Copenhagen on Friday 1 July and finishes in Paris on Sunday 24 July, the place Slovenian famous person Tadej Pogacar hopes to be sporting yellow and be topped champion for the third yr in a row.
Standing in his approach is the sheer power and depth of Dutch crew Jumbo-Visma, who carry a number of threats together with Pogacar’s nationwide teammate Primoz Roglic and final yr’s Tour runner-up, Jonas Vingegaard. Ineos Grenadiers are with out their main gentle Egan Bernal, the 2019 champion who continues to be recovering from damage, however they do have the in-form Geraint Thomas recent from profitable the Tour de Suisse, in addition to potential stage winners Adam Yates and Tom Pidcock.
Here’s a stage-by-stage take a look at this yr’s route.
Stage 1, Friday 1 July: particular person time trial, Copenhagen, 13.2km
The Tour often begins on Saturday however the switch from this yr’s opening three phases in Copenhagen to northern France means an early relaxation day and a Friday begin to accommodate it. A flat time trial via the streets of Copenhagen opens the present with loads of intricate tight corners, however given it is just over 13km there shouldn’t be large time gaps created among the many leaders. Even so, the pure climbers might be aware to minimise losses right here.
Stage 1 report: Yves Lampaert claims shock win on opening Tour de France stage in moist Copenhagen
Stage 2, Saturday 2 July: Roskilde-Nyborg, 202.5km
This lengthy stage might show pivotal because the peloton traces Denmark’s northern shoreline, the place crosswinds might break up the pack and put a severe dent within the hopes of these on the unsuitable aspect. Three categorised climbs function in the course of the stage earlier than what is about to be a spectacular finale throughout the Nice Belt Bridge.
Stage 2 report: Fabio Jakobsen claims maiden Tour de France stage win after chaotic end on day two
Stage 3, Sunday 3 July: Vejle-Sonderborg, 182km
Stage three appears to be like like a traditional breakaway day earlier than a bunch dash end between the intense quick males, with the likes of Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal), Fabio Jakobsen (Quickstep), Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange-Jayco) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) sharpening their elbows as they battle for the win. It closes out the Danish jaunt earlier than a switch day to France.
Stage 3 report: Dylan Groenewegen wins photograph end in Sonderborg as Wout van Aert retains yellow
Stage 4, Tuesday 5 July: Dunkirk-Calais, 171.5km
The primary stage in France couldn’t get a lot near Britain, and followers may take the chance to nip throughout the Channel. There are 5 class 4 climbs dotted via the stage however nothing sharp sufficient to discourage the sprinters, as long as they’ll sustain with any early breakaway. Robust winds could possibly be an element, too.
Stage 4 report: Wout van Aert surges to victory with good solo trip to Calais
Stage 5, Wednesday 6 July: Lille-Arenberg Porte du Hainault, 157km
That is the Paris-Roubaix stage, with 19km of cobbles throughout 11 perilous sections in direction of the tip of a hilly day that are prone to declare a number of accidents however might additionally provide up an opportunity to assault for these courageous sufficient to attempt it. A one-day classics grasp like Mathieu van der Poel might thrive in these sort of situations.
Report: Tadej Pogacar hurts Jumbo-Visma rivals as Simon Clarke wins on the cobbles
Stage 6, Thursday 7 July: Binche-Longwy, 220km
A lumpy end to this stage will knock any sprinters out of rivalry and provide up the win to anybody courageous sufficient to hurry down the descent from the class three Cote de Pulventeux which lurks near the tip of what is going to be an extended day. A day for a breakaway artist, maybe? Peter Sagan received in Longwy in 2017.
Stage 6 report:Tadej Pogacar takes yellow jersey from Wout van Aert
Stage 7, Friday 8 July: Tomblaine-La Planche des Belles Filles, 176.5km
The primary mountain-top end is a contemporary Tour de France traditional: La Planche des Belle Filles, the place Chris Froome received in 2012 and Tadej Pogacar took management of the 2020 version. “The Plank” will get steeper because it rises, ending on a 24% gradient, and by the tip of a gruelling day we can have a good suggestion of who, if anybody, can problem Pogacar for his crown.
Stage 7 report:Tadej Pogacar turns the screw on rivals with dramatic win atop La Planche
Stage 8, Saturday 9 July: Dole-Lausanne, 186.5km
One other day for the puncheurs like Van der Poel – and one Julian Alaphilippe would have liked had he been match for this Tour. The three categorised climbs, the sharp descent from Col de Petra Felix all resulting in an uphill end: today can have been earmarked within the schedule by these groups chasing hilly stage wins.
Stage 8 report:Wout van Aert takes stage eight Tour glory as Tadej Pogacar extends lead
Stage 9, Sunday 10 July: Aigle-Chatel, 193km
The primary correct mountain stage heads to Switzerland the place a few class one climbs await. If a break stays clear then somebody with sturdy climbing legs can get the job performed, however they can even want good technical abilities on the quick descents – Ineos’s Adam Yates could possibly be a contender.
Stage 9 report:Bob Jungels holds off Thibaut Pinot cost to say first profession Tour de France stage win
Stage 10, Tuesday 12 July: Morzine-Megeve, 148.5km
After the second relaxation day, the peloton returns to a well-recognized route from Morzine to Megeve by way of one other dip into Switzerland which is prone to be contested by a breakaway, with the primary GC contenders conserving vitality for the intimidating days forward.
Stage 10 report:Magnus Cort wins stage 1 as Tadej Pogacar retains yellow
Stage 11, Wednesday 13 July: Albertville-Col du Granon, 152km
An eyewatering route for riders however a mouthwatering day in retailer for followers, as three powerful climbs await on the second half of the stage which might present a platform within the clouds for a battle between the final classification contenders. The Col du Telegraphe (11.9 km, 7.1%), Col du Galibier (17.7km, 6.9%) and Col du Granon (11.3 km, 9.2%) will drain even sturdy legs and, if he’s feeling recent, Pogacar might selected this second to harm his rivals. The Galibier marks the very best level of the race at 2,642m, and the primary man over will win the Memento Henri Desgrange.
Stage 12, Thursday 14 July: Briançon-Alpe d’Huez, 165.5km
On Bastille Day, French followers might be hoping one in every of their males can ship on the long-lasting Alpe d’Huez. Thibaut Pinot and David Gaudu, each of Groupama-FDJ, are the more than likely French hopes however any one of many large GC contenders might make their transfer right here on what might be a memorable day.
Stage 13, Friday 15 July, Bourg d’Oisans-Saint Etienne, 193km
A transition from the Alps to the Massif hills which ought to open alternatives for many who have punching energy within the legs in addition to a pointy dash end for what’s a flat run into the road.
Stage 13 report: Mads Pedersen clinches victory in Mende
Stage 14, Saturday 16 July: Saint Étienne-Mende, 192.5km
One other hilly day however some barely extra demanding climbs ought to see the stage victory fall into the palms of a quick rider who shouldn’t be a pure sptinter. A day that’s unlikely to shake up the primary normal classification contenders.
Stage 14 report: Michael Matthews wins in St Etienne
Stage 15, Sunday 17 July: Rodez-Carcassonne, 202.5km
An in-between stage which might be completely arrange for the sprinters ought to they nonetheless be within the Tour and may they attain the end in rivalry. However the varied hilly sections might nonetheless be sufficient to maintain the quick males at bay and provide the win to a breakaway group.
Stage 15 preview: Route map and profile from Rodez to Carcassonne right this moment
Stage 16, Tuesday 19 July: Carcassonne-Foix, 178.5km
The primary stage of the Pyrenees shouldn’t be too brutal and should not elicit a lot motion on the high of the final classification. As an alternative it’s prone to serve up a battle for the stage victory which can go well with a skilful climber like Romain Bardet or Primoz Roglic, if their GC ambitions permit them to flee up the highway from the yellow jersey group.
Stage 17, Wednesday 20 July: Saint Gaudens-Peyragudes, 130km
4 categorised climbs culminate atop Peyragudes the place there could possibly be a struggle for essential yellow jersey seconds on the end. The likes of Pogacar, Roglic, Thomas and Vingegaard might all win a demanding stage like this one and stamp their authority on the final classification.
Stage 18, Thursday 21 July: Lourdes-Hautacam, 143.2km
Not an extended route however three gruelling climbs together with the hors categorie Col d’Aubisque and a summit end. It appears to be like constructed for one more GC battle and the winner right here might be taking maintain of the yellow jersey till Paris, in the event that they weren’t already sporting it.
Stage 19, Friday 22 July: Castelnau-Magnoac-Cahors, 188.5km
A penultimate day for the sprinters, which might be well-earned for these quick males who’ve made it via the Alps and Pyrenees. The principle GC contenders will look to preserve vitality and their our bodies for the decisive time trial to comply with.
Stage 20, Saturday 23 July: Lacapelle Marival-Rocamadour particular person time trial, 40.7km
It might all be a formality by this level with a chunky benefit for the general chief already assured, but when the GC is tight sufficient then it would all come all the way down to this: 40.7km, an extended indivudal time trial with a few testing hills. The stage 20 ITT has develop into an everyday function over the previous few years and threw up a dramatic finale in 2020 when Roglic suffered and Pogacar powered to victory. Organisers will hope for extra of the identical.
Stage 21, Sunday 24 July: Paris La Protection-Champs Elysees, 116km
The procession to the centre of Paris, the place the jersey winners might be topped and the sprinters will get one ultimate contest for the status of victory on the Champs-Elysees. Oh how Mark Cavendish would have liked so as to add to his assortment of wins right here.
Kaynak: briturkish.com