Paris – Breaking the tradition in the Tour de France is stirring controversy.
Since the organizers of the race announced plans last week to climb the iconic Montmartre hill in Paris during the final stage of July, the cycling world has been anonymous. Could the climb decide the winner of the tour? Or interrupt the final sprint by injecting tactical uncertainty in what is usually a day of celebration?
Well, that’s to see. But one thing seems safe: the stage will be a show.
In the Olympic Games last year, the massive crowds were aligned in the streets of Montmartre, the area in the northern part of Paris that is popular among the artists and offers great views of the city, to encourage the riders.
Inspired by the frantic atmosphere and willing to build on the impulse, the organizers of the tour said this month that the cyclists who compete in the largest career of cycling this summer would rise the Montmartre hill and pass under the basilica of Sacré-Coeur before “fighting in a scenario that can leave the traditions established in the last 50 years in the heart of the capital.”
Traditionally, the final stage of the tour is largely processional until a sprint decides the winner of the day in the fields-Elysées. The final stage of last year was held outside Paris for the first time since 1905 due to a clash with the Olympic Games, moving in its place to Nice. The World Famous Avenue returns to the program this year for the conclusion of the 3,320 kilometers race (2,060 miles).
The inclusion of the steep climb of Montmartre could drastically change the dynamics of the stage. If the hill presents just a few kilometers from the finish line, or climb several times, it is likely that pure sprinters will be eliminated before they can compete for the victory on stage. And if the general classification remains tight before the final stage, the yellow shirt itself could be decided in Paris.
The full details of the route will be presented at a press conference on Wednesday. With a platoon approximately twice as large as in the Olympic Games, the organizers are working with the authorities of Paris and the police prefecture to guarantee the security of the race in the narrow and cobbled streets of the area. But some of the best riders have already expressed lack of enthusiasm for addition.
“Montmartre was nice to do at the Olympic Games, it seemed good, many people, a really good atmosphere,” said the two -time champion of the Jonas Vingegaard tour of journalists this week. “But when they arrived at Montmartre, there were only 15 riders in the group. And when we do the Tour of France, there will be 150 types that fight for positions in a very close rise. It could end up being more stress than they want to have.”
Even Remco Evenepoel, who won the Olympic race of the Male Road in Paris last year and the gold medal in the counterreloj, also opposes the idea.
“There will be enough battle to position in the first week of the tour,” Media Sporza told Sports. “With Montmartre added, that would mean that we have to do the same the last day. We will be tired enough then.”
Evenepoel also regretted the fact that sprinters would be stolen from a rare opportunity to claim a prestigious victory in the world famous.
“They have a great opportunity every year to run for a stage on stage at the Champs-Elysées,” he said. “That opportunity is removed. In my opinion, Montmartre is an unnecessary obstacle.”
Marc Madiot, who manages the Groupama-FDJ team, said the bad weather on the last day could make the stage more treacherous.
“Imagine a slight rain in Paris; it will not be easy for riders,” RMC Radio told RMC. “Do we want a show? Do we want to visit Paris? Do we want to commemorate the Olympic Games? If we expect a real race, we could disappoint ourselves. And if we have a real race, we put everything that has happened in the last three weeks in danger.”
The tour begins from the northern city of Lille on July 5, and the women’s race begins on July 26 from the city of Vannes de Brittany.
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AP Cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling
