The full route of the 111th edition of the Tour de France has been unveiled, with a finish in Nice for the very first time in its history, due to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Seven mountain stages will be on the programme for the 2024 Grande Boucle. Discover the details of these stages, with Christian Prudhomme's commentary on each of them.
Stage 4 (138 km): Pinerolo (ITA)/Valloire
"The race will leave Italy after a long climb to the resort of Sestrières, where Coppi triumphed in 1952, and then the border will actually be crossed by reaching the Col de Montgenèvre. Then, after the ascent of Le Lautaret, it's time to tackle the 2,642-metre Galibier. This will be a first opportunity for the favourites to test themselves in the high mountains.
Stage 11 (211km): Évaux-les-Bains/Le Lioran
"Only one stage tackles the rugged Massif Central, but what a stage it is! With 3,450 metres of positive altitude difference, the riders will be constantly on the edge of their seats. Above all, the difficulty of the final 50 kilometres increases in leaps and bounds, with a series of dangerous climbs: the ascent to the Col de Néronne, then to the Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol with two formidable final kilometres, before tackling the Col de Pertus, the Col de Font de Cère and the ascent to Le Lioran. So many springboards for temperamental climbers".
14th stage (152 km): Pau/Saint-Lary-Soulan
"The dynamic format of the first Pyrenean stage is accentuated by the fact that the battle is unlikely to start until after the crossing of Lourdes. There will then be 80 kilometres left, but a festival of summits including the Col du Tourmalet, the Hourquette d'Ancizan and the climb to the Pla d'Adet. Fifty years on, the finish line will be exactly where Raymond Poulidor raised his arms.
Stage 15 (198km): Loudenvielle/Plateau de Beille
"The third Sunday of the Tour could prove crucial. Whatever the scenarios of the first explanations in the mountains, the stage is set for revenge or confirmation, with 4,850 metres of positive altitude difference over nearly 200 kilometres of road. The potential is immense and it is not unrealistic to see team-mates of the favourites venture into a breakaway on the way up to Peyresourde. They would be invaluable for what happens next, especially in the final climb over the Col d'Agnes and the Port de Lers before reaching the Plateau de Beille.
Stage 17 (178 km): Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux/Superdévoluy
"Setting course for the Southern Alps, the crossing of the Drôme presents no major obstacles. The rest of the programme is likely to inspire a large breakaway group, whose members will have a chance provided they are able to shine on the climbs of the final 40 kilometres. We'll see more clearly when we cross the Col Bayard, but the selection should be made on the road to the Col du Noyer (7.5 km at 8.4 %), and the final explanation in view of the Superdévoluy resort.
Stage 19 (145 km): Embrun/Isola 2000
"The menu for this ultra-mountain stage will make you dizzy, but it will also whet the appetite of the very best climbers. Over a distance of less than 150km, they will climb above 2,000 metres on three occasions, and above all they will climb to the summit of La Bonette, the highest road in France at 2,802 metres. The 360-degree panorama is breathtaking.
Stage 20 (132 km): Nice/Col de la Couillole
"The Paris-Nice regulars will be racing on familiar terrain, but which will become indomitable if the battle for the Yellow Jersey remains open. Particularly over such a short distance, where the confrontation can begin as soon as the climb to the Col de Braus. There will then be no respite on the ascent of the Cols de Turini, de la Colmiane and finally de la Couillole, with a final climb of 15.7km at 7.1 % average gradient. We're holding our breath!
