If the French mourn the absence of their darling Julian Alaphilippe, they will be able to console themselves with the exciting spectacle promised by this 109th edition of the Tour de France. After an unprecedented start from Copenhagen in Denmark on July 1, the 176 riders in the peloton are embarking on a daunting three-week event.
With the cobblestones of the North, the now unmissable Planche des Belles Filles, the great return of Alpe d’Huez then the Pyrenees, the organizers of the Grande Boucle promise sweat and cramps for the runners and emotions for the spectators. 9 stages in particular are not to be missed this year, follow the guide!
– ASO
2nd stage, Saturday July 2, 18km in the middle of the sea
After the Grand Départ from Copenhagen, the show begins on the second day of the Tour de France. Nearly 200 km between Roskilde and Nybord with one major feature: the crossing an 18 km long bridge over the Baltic Sea connecting two islands. An unprecedented portion on the Tour which promises gusts of wind and therefore edges that can trap certain teams from the outset.
5th stage, Wednesday July 6, the hell of the North
Back in France via the North, the Tour will take on the air of Paris-Roubaix. During this 155 km stage, the peloton will cross eleven cobbled sections for a total distance of 19.4 km, including five new sections. It had been four years since the Grande Boucle last rolled on the cobblestones and that did not succeed for all the riders, especially on the side of the big favourites.
7th stage, Friday July 8, the unmissable Planche des Belles Filles
It will be the first arrival at the top of this 109th edition: the Super Planche des Belles Filles after 176 km of racing from Lorraine. Climb that has become almost unavoidable since 2012, this arrival can already allow the favorites to widen the gaps. The figures speak for themselves: 6 km of ascent, portions at 13%, a mythical wall at 20% and a finish at 24%! A step cut out for the punchers and which could allow the big favorite Tadej Pogacar to seize the yellow jersey, as in 2020, if it has not already been done.
9th stage, Sunday July 10, attacking the Alps
After 10 days of racing, the peloton will tackle the Alps in a 186.3 km long stage between Aigle (Switzerland) and Châtel. Three strong collars on the course: that of the Mosses (2nd category, 13.3km at 4.1%), that of the Cross (1st category, 8.1km at 7.6%) and the Pas de Morgins (1st category, 15.4km at 6.1%). This last difficulty is 10 km from the finish and should leave some of them far behind.
11th stage, Wednesday July 13, the excess of the Alps
After a “gentle” entry into the Alps, the peloton tackles some big chunks. 149 km of pure mountain between Albertville and the Col du Granon. The Tour de France had not crossed this climb since 1986! But before getting there, you will have to go through the Lacets de Montvernier (2nd category, 3.4 km at 8.2%), the Col du Télégraphe (1st category, 11.9 km at 7.1%) then the legendary Col du Galibier, first difficulty out of category with 17.7km of climb at 6.9%. The show is sure to be there!
12th stage, Thursday July 14, the return from Alpe d’Huez for the National Day
If you only had to watch one stage of this Tour de France 2022, it would be this one! For the National Day, the Grande Boucle offers itself a gift of choice: Alpe d’Huez. This 166km long stage will leave from Briançon to end at the legendary finish. And to celebrate, the peloton will climb three non-category difficulties: again the Col du Galibier, then that of the Croix de Fer (29 km, at 5.2%) before ending with the mythical ascent of the Alpe d’ Huez and its 21 long bends of 13.8 km at 8.1%.
17th stage, Wednesday July 20, welcome to the Pyrenees
After the rest day on Monday and an appetizer stage on Tuesday with two 1st category passes between Carcassonne and Foix, the peloton is entering the Pyrenees. A third week which risks doing more damage among the runners who would not have managed to recover after the Alps. The arrival of this 17th stage will take place at the Peyragudes altiport, built for the shooting of the James Bond film “Tomorrow never dies”. On the route, the Col d’Aspin (1st category, 12 km at 6.5%), Hourquette d’Ancizan (2nd category, 8.2 km at 5.1%) and the Col de Val Louron-Azet (1st category, 10.7 km at 6.8%).
18th stage, Thursday July 21, last explanation for the climbers
This stage between Lourdes and Hautacam (143km) will be the last in the mountains. A last effort for the peloton, a last chance to shine for the climbers or to take off definitively for the riders at the head of the general classification. The Tour will pass through a new pass, that of Spandelles (1st category, 10.3 km at 8.3%), still impassable a few years ago but recently developed by the Hautes-Pyrénées department. But that’s not all since the Tour will also go through the Col de l’Aubisque (out of category, 16.4 km at 7.1%) and the climb of Hautacam (out of category, 13.6 km at 7, 8%).
20th stage, Saturday July 23, the final time trial
Before arriving in Paris on the Champs-Elysées, a final stopwatch could reshuffle the cards. The penultimate stage of the Tour de France 2022 will take the form of a 40.7 km time trial between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour. We remember the feat of Pogacar in 2020 who took the yellow jersey on the last lap. On that day, everything will be possible in the Lot.
► Our Tour de France 2022 file