Tour de France 2022: A Preview of the 21-Day Adventure
The Tour de France is one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, and this year’s edition promises to be a thrilling 21-day adventure. The race kicks off from the Basque port of Bilbao on Saturday, June 25th, and will cover a distance of 3,404km before culminating in Paris on July 24th. Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard leads the pack, but he faces stiff competition from two-time champion Tadej Pogacar and a host of other contenders.
The Route
The Tour de France route is designed to test the riders’ endurance, skill, and mental toughness. This year’s edition features 30 mountains, including 13 in the Alps, six in the Pyrenees, five in the Vosges, four in the Massif Central, and one each in the Jura and Basque Country. The mountains will play a crucial role in determining the winner of the race, as they have done for many years.
The Grand Depart
The Tour de France starts with a hilly stage around Bilbao and San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country. The clever route design sets up a swashbuckling struggle over the first three stages, which promise to be a treat for cycling fans worldwide. The opener, around the Bilbao back-country, is laced with terrain to tempt the one-day mavericks to go for glory. Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe is one to watch in this stage.
The Pyrenees
The peloton enters France on day three and then swings west for two stages through the Pyrenees before heading back up the Atlantic coast. These stages are expected to be challenging, with steep climbs and treacherous descents. The riders will need to conserve their energy for the grueling stages ahead.
The Magnificent Dormant Volcano at Puy de Dome
The vineyards of Bordeaux, on stage seven, serve as an aperitif to the star landmark of this Tour, the magnificent dormant volcano at Puy de Dome. The ascent provides a spectacular view of the dormant domes along central France’s tectonic faultline. Neither fans nor vehicles will be allowed on Puy de Dome’s stark, steep upper reaches where pretenders will be brutally exposed to the elements.
The Alps
The Alps are where the Tour de France champion is traditionally chosen. This year’s edition features 13 mountains in the Alps, including stage 17 from Mont-Blanc, which climbs four peaks, the last into the rarefied air above the tree line at the 2,300m summit of the final climb to Courchevel. 2019 champion Egan Bernal may once again deliver a late challenge in this stage.
The Sub-Plots
The Tour de France is rich in sub-plots, with rising star Biniam Girmay fully capable of becoming the first black African to win a stage on this 110th edition. Targeting the sprints, Girmay faces veteran British speed king Mark Cavendish, who hopes to break a tie with all-time great Eddy Merckx with a 35th Tour de France stage win.
The Women’s Tour de France
The route of the women’s Tour de France, from July 23-30, was unveiled on Thursday with a 1,000km itinerary starting from Clermont Ferrand and taking the riders through the south and an ascent of the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees as its highlight.
Conclusion
The Tour de France is a grueling test of endurance, skill, and mental toughness. This year’s edition promises to be a thrilling 21-day adventure, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard leading the pack. The route features 30 mountains, including 13 in the Alps, six in the Pyrenees, and one each in the Jura and Basque Country. The race kicks off from the Basque port of Bilbao on Saturday, June 25th, and will culminate in Paris on July 24th. Cycling fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating this year’s Tour de France.