The 2016 edition of the Tour de France begins Saturday, and cycling fans could not be anymore excited. This years route will feature 21 stages of action that include nine flat stages, one hilly stage, nine mountain stages (4 summit finishes), and two individual time trials. Rest days will be after stage nine and stage 16. The route will pass through the countries of Andorra, Spain, and Switzerland.
2016 Tour de France Route Preview
Stage 1
Mount-Saint-Michel/Utah Beach Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
The riders begin their Tour de France journey from Mont-Saint-Michel. They will then hug the coast line and cut across inland to make their way to Utah Beach. The beach has a historical significance, as it was used as a landing point in the D-Day invasion. Overall it should be a day for the sprinters to battle it out on the final straightaway.
Stage 2
Sanit-Lo/Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
We get our first opportunity to see the general classification favorites go at it in stage two. The route takes the riders along the western coast of France, and then to the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. This will be where things start to get interesting. A three kilometer climb up the Cote de La Glacerie to the finish will set up the chance for the favorites to gain time. Other riders will have their eyes at stage glory as this climb kicks up to a max gradium of 14%.
Stage 3
Granville/Angers
This stage will be the second longest stage of the race. It begins on the western coast and then heads inland to the finish at Angers. With it being a long stage the peloton will likely have to be on the chase at the end. This could be a chance for the breakaway riders to steal a victory, especially if there are any lapses in the peloton. If not it should come down to another bunch sprint.
Stage 4
Saumar/Limoges
After going 223 kilometers the previous day. The riders will be treated to the longest stage of the race in stage four. A flat stage with a slightly uphill straightaway finish will be another day for the sprinters. At this point the green points jersey will start to become more of a factor, as the top sprinters continue to battle it out.
Stage 5
Limoges/Le Lioran
It will be the first day in the mountains for the riders in stage five. The biggest tests will be the Pas de Peyrol and the Col du Perthis, which are both category two climbs. Those that can descend the best are expected be the favorites to win the stage.
Stage 6
Arpajon-sur-Cere/Moutauban
This will be the last flat stage for three days. It features two category three climbs on the way to Montauban, and could make it a day for the breakaway if they can stay ahead in the final kilometers. Undoubtedly though it should be another sprint finish on the pancake flat straightaway.
Stage 7
L’Isle-Jourdain
We enter the Pyrenees in this stage. The Col d’Aspin will be a the first category one climb of the race, with an average gradium of 6.5%. The riders will then have a descent into the final kilometers where we find out who claims the stage. A switch in the yellow jersey could come in this stage with it being the first real test in the race.
Stage 8
Pau/Bagneres-de-Luchon
This will be a flat out tough day of racing. The Col du Tourmalet is the highlight of the day, with the ascent of the famous climb coming near the middle of the stage. Then two category climbs up the Col de Val Louron-Azet and the Col de Peyresourde will provide all the action, as the GC riders will undoubtedly be on the attack. After climbing the Col de Peyresoude the route runs downhill all the way to the finish. Another yellow jersey switch could come in this stage.
Stage 9
Vielha Val d’Aran/Andorre Arcalis
For the third straight day the riders will be in the mountains. The stage nine route will feature five climbs in two different countries. With the action starting to heat up on the Col de Beixalis, which is a painful 6.4 kilometers of climbing at an average of 8.5%. After the completion of that climb, the Andorre Arcalis will be ascended to the finish. Expect a day of fireworks in what should be one of the more exciting days of the tour.
Stage 10
Escaldes-Engordany/Revel
After a well deserved rest day, the riders head out of Andorra and prepare for a hilly stage. The final test of the day will come on a category three climb, which lasts six kilometers and leads right into the finish. A puncher is likely to take this stage and there is always the possibility of a shake up in the general classification.
Stage 11
Carcassonne/Montpellier
Montpellier is the destination for the riders in stage 11. It’s a relatively flat stage, which should be a welcome sight for most of the peloton.
Stage 12
Montpellier/Mont Ventoux
It will be a tough finish for the riders in stage 12. The stage finishes with the 15 kilometer climb up Mont Ventoux and is sure to produce some fireworks in the general classification battle. With an all important time trial the next day, this could be a very strategic stage. It will also be a crowded day, as France celebrates its national day.
Stage 13
Bourg-Saint-Andeol/La Caverne du Pont-d’Arc
The first time trial of the tour comes in the second week this year. It starts uphill and finishes uphill. Viewers at home will get spectacular views of the Gorges de l’ Ardeche, which is known as the European Grand Canyon. Most of the riders will not have much time to enjoy the views, however, as this will be a hotly contested stage.
Stage 14
Montelimar/Villars-les-Dombes Parc des Oiseaux
This will be one of the easier stages of the tour, and it should prove to be another sprint finish. By this point it will be interesting to see if Peter Sagan finds himself in the Green Jersey, or if one of the other sprinters emerges for an upset.
Stage 15
Bourg-en-Bresse/Culoz
In this stage the riders will have to face the Grand Colombier mountain pass, not once, but twice. It will be a 12.8 kilometer climb at 6.8% gradium the first time, and the second time is a 8.4 kilometer climb at 7.6%. A tricky descent follows, as the riders will finish in Culoz.
Stage 16
Moirans-en-Montagne/Berne
This will be the last sprinters stage before the finish on the Champs-Elysees. It will be interesting to see what the points classification looks like at this point in the race.
Stage 17
Berne/Finhaut-Emosson
The riders will be tested in the Swiss mountains with climbs up the Col de la Foclaz and the Finhaut-Emosson. Providing many opportunities for the general classification riders to displace each other. The jersey could very well be lost on a day such as this. None of the riders can afford to have a bad day on this stage.
Stage 18
Sallanches/Megeve
This will be the second time trial of the tour. It will be a 17 kilometer stage, with some tough climbing. Making it another critical stage for the general classification, and anyone hoping to solidify a spot before heading into the mountains for two more days.
Stage 19
Albertville/Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc
Beautiful scenery will provide the riders some comfort, as they make their way through another tough day in the mountains in stage 19. The final destination will be Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, which features a tough final climb that has an average gradium of 8%. This stage will also feature a new climb in The Mountee de Bisanne. It will put the hurt in many riders before they begin the final climb up the Le Bettex.
Stage 20
Megeve/Mozine-Avoriaz
The battle for the yellow jersey comes to a close on stage 20. There are two category one climbs and one beyond category climb. After ascending the Col de Joux Plane it will all come down to 12 kilometers of downhill racing. Do we see a change in the yellow jersey on this stage; or, do we see Chris Froome celebrating again?
Stage 21
Chantilly/Paris Champs-Elysees
It will be a day of celebration for the Malliot Jaune and his teammates, as the peloton heads for Paris. For the sprinters it will be a day for glory, with the opportunity to win on the Champs-Elysees in hand.
