Cycling: The 2018 Tour de France is far from having started – and everyone is already talking about the 2019 Tour de France. Surprising? No, because the Tour of France will be experiencing a very special edition next year. The focus is on what is probably the greatest cyclist of all time: Eddy Merckx. In his honor, the Grand Départ will take place in Brussels. Two exciting stages are guaranteed to await us there. The notorious wall of Geraardsbergen has to be crossed. There is also a team time trial.
The tour start in Brussels is a homage to Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx is a living legend. The 72-year-old Belgian is regarded by almost all active and former professionals as the best cyclist of all time. No wonder, because "the cannibal" has won almost everything in this sport - and has done so several times. He also holds record after record at the Tour de France. In addition to his five overall victories, he rode the longest in yellow (111 days) and collected the most stage wins (34). His success story began in 1969. Eddy Merckx rode the Tour de France for the first time – and won it straight away. Due to this 50th anniversary, the organizers of the Grand Boucle have awarded the start of the Tour de France 2019 to Brussels.
En 2019, ce sera les 50 ans de la 1ère victoire d'Eddy Merckx. En 1969, Jacques Goddet avait annocé l'ère du "Merckxisme" / It will be the 50th anniversary of the 1st victory of Eddy Merckx. In 1969, Jacques Goddet announced a new era of "Merckxism".#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/E7MukQ0DVu
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) 16 January 2018
The Muur is in the way - and a team time trial
It has been known for some time that the Tour de France 2019 will start in Brussels. Now it came out at the Grand Départ presentation that the Wall of Geraardsbergen is being driven on. The Muur is best known in the cycling scene for the Ronde Van Vlaanderen. In many editions of the Tour of Flanders, the key scene has happened here. The Wall is loved by fans and feared by drivers. However, it shouldn't be that bad for the peloton at the 2019 Tour de France. Supposedly there are still many more kilometers to be completed after that, so that the wall of Geraardsbergen will probably not bring any decision. Rather, it has a symbolic character, as does the fact that many of the roads that made Eddy Merckx famous are used on the opening stage. The team time trial on the second stage is particularly touching. Here the route takes the field through Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, where the Belgian grew up. Starting from the Parc Royal, the pros will drive to the Atomium in Brussels for the team time trial.
#TDF2019 : Découvrez en avant-première les 2 premieres étapes du parcours 2019 du @LeTour 🇧🇪🚴♂️ pic.twitter.com/9hjEFdcrge
— DOMITYS (@AegideDomitys) 16 January 2018