The Tour de France kicks off without a prologue (or time trial) for the first time since 1967; instead it starts with a rolling 195-kilometre road stage. After crossing four fourth category climbs the stage finishes at the top of the Côte de Cadoual – locally known as the Breton Alpe d'Huez. As there will be no time bonuses available on the stage, the first yellow jersey will securely be taken by the stage winner. The hilltop finish though, means that this is unlikely to be one for the pure sprinters.
Brest, a sub-prefecture of the department of Finistère and the most westerly city in mainland France, is a stage town for the 29th time and will host the Grand Départ for the third time – after 1952 and 1974. Its other big claim to cycling fame is of course the fact that it is the turning point of the epic 1200-kilometre Paris-Brest-Paris endurance event.
-
Trio of WorldTour squads return to Maryland Cycling Classic, while Ali Tetrick and Ellen Noble line up at SGT GRVL as women's mentors
L39ION of LA ready to rumble in Indianapolis while new women's Analog Racing team confirms 'team projects' - North American Rounduup -
Remco Evenepoel adds Tour de Romandie to comeback race schedule
Swiss stage race offers week of racing after the Ardennes Classics -
'It can ruin your day' – Tadej Pogačar criticises social media, backs Wout van Aert to shine in Tour of Flanders after backlash
'On social media, there are a lot of positive things, but always the negative things come out the most' says world champion -
Lotte Kopecky eyes Elisa Longo Borghini as key Tour of Flanders rival, 'not worried' about own form
Belgian reflects on 'different' winter and approach to Classics, with less racing and later goals
