Let's dive into the fascinating world of Tour de France route design and explore the best parcours of the last decade. Personally, I find this topic incredibly intriguing, as it showcases the art of crafting a challenging and captivating race while also highlighting the impact of these routes on the overall outcome. So, without further ado, let's begin!
The Art of Route Design
Every year, the Tour de France presents a unique challenge for its designers, who must create a parcours that caters to various rider types and creates an intense battle for the general classification (GC). It's a delicate balance, and the route can make or break a rider's performance.
Ranking the Routes
As we look back at the last ten Tours, we'll assess each route based on its stages, the balance of profile types, and its ability to showcase France's diverse landscapes.
10. 2017: A Diabolical Design
The 2017 Tour de France route was, in my opinion, a bit of a letdown. With a focus on downhill finishes and an abundance of sprint stages, it failed to create the dramatic GC battle we've come to expect. The lack of summit finishes meant there were few opportunities for serious gaps to be made, leading to a somewhat forgettable race.
9. 2026: Lacking Pizzazz
The upcoming 2026 Tour de France route seems to be missing that certain je ne sais quoi. With an unimaginative Grand Départ and an overabundance of sprint stages, it feels like a missed opportunity. The race organizers appear to be saving all the GC action for the final week, but this strategy could backfire if the race is already decided by then. The iconic summit finishes are there, but the build-up leaves much to be desired, almost as if the race is afraid to repeat the mistakes of 2024.
8. 2025: Overly Ambitious
The 2025 Tour de France route aimed high, but it fell short. The opening week was a Classics man's dream, with punchy finales galore, but this left the GC battle feeling a bit rushed. The final week was underwhelming, with a flat stage on the penultimate day, which was a clear indicator that the GC riders would be taking it easy. While this route covered a wide range of landscapes, it lacked the excitement and drama that make a Tour de France truly memorable.
7. 2018: Radical, but Farcial
ASO attempted to shake things up in 2018 after years of Froome dominance, but their innovations fell flat. The cobbled stage and grid start were more farcical than sensible, and the race lost steam as the weeks progressed. The final mountain stage's underwhelming descent was a damp squib, and the individual time trial on the penultimate day turned out to be a snooze fest. It's a reminder that sometimes, less is more when it comes to route design.
6. 2021: A Brilliant First Week
The 2021 Tour de France started with a bang, thanks to some punchy finales and a time trial in the opening week. However, the second week lacked opportunities for GC gaps, and the final week felt strangely configured. The double dose of Mont Ventoux was an interesting innovation, but its downhill finish nullified any gains made on the climb. It's a reminder that even with the best intentions, route design is a delicate art.
5. 2024: Pogačar's Dominance
The 2024 Tour de France route was an ambitious one, with a focus on the mountains. However, the seven mountain stages, six of which culminated in summit finishes, became a bit repetitive. The first week was brutal, and the GC standings were blown wide open. But once Pogačar asserted his dominance, the race became a bit of a procession. The Nice finale was an interesting change of pace, but Pogačar's dominance overshadowed what could have been a great parcours.
4. 2019: A Homage to Merckx
The 2019 Tour de France route was a tribute to the legendary Eddy Merckx, and it delivered. The opening in Brussels was eventful, and the race offered a mix of terrain, including gravel and mountaintop finishes. The GC remained tight throughout, and the weather played its part in creating a dramatic finale. This route showcased a shift towards the Grand Tours of the 2020s, with fewer time trials and more punchy finales. It was a sign of things to come.
3. 2022: A Traditional Route, with a Twist
The 2022 Tour de France route was a traditional one, with an opening week filled with sprint stages. But it also offered a return to the pavé and some sharp uphill challenges. The mountain stages were well-spaced, and the Col du Granon became a cult classic. This route delivered a balanced parcours, with opportunities for all riders. It was a safe route on paper, but it provided an exciting and fair battle for the yellow jersey.
2. 2023: A Climber's Paradise
The 2023 Tour de France route was sculpted for the climbers, with a massive elevation gain. The Grand Départ in the Basque Country set the tone, and the opening week offered a perfect mix of sprint, mountain, and punchy finales. The middle week sustained the momentum, and the final week was expertly designed. This route delivered one of the most compelling GC narratives in recent memory, but at the expense of other riders who struggled to keep up with the endless mountaintop finishes.
1. 2020: A Daring and Balanced Route
The 2020 Tour de France route was a daring one, and it paid off. With a focus on French hopes, the route brought back forgotten climbs and debuted new classics like the Col de la Loze. The mountain time trial on the final day was a brilliant idea, and it certainly delivered. This parcours was well-balanced, offering great moments for all riders. ASO managed to showcase new places and highlight France's greatest cities. It was a fabulous parcours, and the GC battle only added to its allure.
Conclusion
Route design is a complex and fascinating aspect of the Tour de France. It's an art that requires a delicate balance of challenge and spectacle. While some routes fall short, others rise to the occasion and create truly memorable races. The best parcours not only cater to the riders but also showcase the beauty and diversity of France. So, here's to the designers who continue to push the boundaries and create these incredible races!
