The Puy de Dôme is an extinct volcano in central France with a road that winds around the cone to the top. It’s been the scene of one of the greatest duels in the Tour de France and a famous photo, you can read the story of both below.
It had become a road that belongs to cycling’s past because the construction of a railway line to ferry tourists to the top has meant the road is now closed but this Sunday it’ll be open to the Tour de France.
A sprint stage but with some rolling roads and an uphill finish to change the cast of characters.
If the Tour de France is a business, who are its clients? Certainly TV audiences and roadside spectators alike. But there’s third group: mayors and local government officials.
While President Macron’s visit yesterday matters – name another race where the head of state visits every year – mayors and their colleagues in local government are the hidden VIPs of the Tour de France, they make route happen, they help pay for the race and they’re changing the shape of the sport more than you might think.
The Tour goes to Bordeaux today, a city that’s been on the race route more often than Pau, and is second only to Paris for Tour visits. Only the race hasn’t been here since 2010. The fact that it’s back is a tale of sports and politics.
Normally the heart sinks a touch at the mention of “sprint stage”, a day with an inevitable conclusion and minutes of action but if it helps riders rebuild their arsenal of fireworks for the weekend and gives followers more time to digest the last two days’ sport, so be it.
There are 22 teams in the Tour de France with a variety of sponsors from household goods to governments. Here’s a closer look, presented in the start list order…
A stage in the Pyrenees that promises plenty of action with a fight to get in the breakaway and the steep upper slopes of the Marie Blanque towards the end.
The Tour de France returns to France but stays in the Basque country for a likely sprint finish in Bayonne.
The Basque weekend continues, another scenic stage with plenty of climbing and a city finish.
