Cycling: At noon, tour boss Christian Prudhomme presented the route of the Tour de France 2017 in Paris. With fewer time trial kilometers, steeper and more difficult climbs and overall shorter stages, the Grand Boucle will change its face a little in the coming year. We have compiled the first reactions from the professional camp.
Richie Porte (BMC): “I like the first impression of the track. Sure, but first I have to sit down and take a closer look at the data. But I think it will be a great start in Germany. Cycling is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the achievements of German riders. I'm looking forward to the stage after Planche des Belles Filles because it will be the first real touchstone and you will soon see who can compete for the general classification. There aren't that many hilltop finishes, but the race will still be tough. The short 13th stage will be brutal – there is no tactics, it is just full throttle and it will be a huge spectacle.”
Iwan Spekenbrink (Team Principal Giant-Alpecin): "I think 2017 will be a balanced and modern Tour de France. It offers a bit of everything. It's not a one-way tour or the other - it doesn't have a lot of time trial kilometers or a lot of mountain finishes. A very important point of this tour is the Grand Départ in Germany, which has a great symbolic effect. We all know what years German cycling went through. But now everyone understands that we have done and achieved something in cycling that is a role model for many other sports. And that is perfectly symbolized by German cycling. So congratulations to Germany, congratulations to Dusseldorf and German cycling that deserves the return of the Tour.”
Update June 2017: The entire route and all stages in detail
cycling: Tour de France 2017: The route and all stages in detail
Cycling: It won't be long before the Tour de France 2017 starts at the Grand Départ in Düsseldorf. We've put together all the information about this year's varied route in advance and taken a closer look at the individual stage profiles. The route of the Tour de France 2017 at a glance Riders and fans can look forward to […]
Ralph Denk (Team Principal Bora-Argon 18): “It's nice that we're going back to Germany after 30 years. Personally, I would have wished that one or the other city would have been visited more. What I welcome is that the first difficult stage comes after just one week. This creates extra excitement. Otherwise, the tour offers a difficult route. As a team, which will be at the start of the tour in Düsseldorf next year with Leopold König as the leader, we would have wished for a few more time trial kilometers. Conclusion based on the first impression: 2017 will be a balanced and difficult tour.”
Chris Froome (Sky): “As it looks to me, it will be a case for the climbers. There aren't many time trial kilometers, but there are and I have to prepare accordingly. I have to be able to perform at my best in the mountains. There are some stages that take us over the 2.000m mark, the Izoard for example up to 2.300m. It's going to be a really tough stage. My first assessment? The race is won or lost in the mountains. Sure: it's the tour and basically anything can happen there; this is how we will prepare.”
Dan Martin (Etixx – Quick Step): “I'm not disappointed that there are only two relatively short time trials. The mountain stages look great and there are a few things that suit me. It also suits me that the time bonuses are back – I can use my sprinting strengths well in difficult terrain.”