Cycling's renowned Tour de France needs to persist with the conclusion at Montmartre in Paris as it signifies the race's upcoming direction.
In the world of cycling, the Tour de France continues to evolve, with new twists and turns adding excitement to the race. This year, we delve into the significant changes made in the 2025 edition, specifically the introduction of the Montmartre circuit in the final stage.
For years, Christian Prudhomme and Thierry Gouvenou have been at the helm, leading the Tour de France to become a collection of one-day Classics in miniature. The key climb in this new route was the cobbled Butte Montmartre, which decided the race and revitalized the last stage by adding challenging climbs and breaking with the traditional flat sprint finish.
The 2025 Tour de France final stage marked a departure from the usual processional sprint stage, replacing it with a full-on mini-Classic. The circuit around Montmartre, near the Arc de Triomphe, fragmented the peloton, preventing all-out bunch sprints and creating exciting racing and GC dynamics even on the last day.
This change led to more aggressive racing among top riders like Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar. Van Aert capitalised on this, winning the final stage by attacking on the climbs around Montmartre and descending to a solo victory on the Champs-Élysées.
The impact on the race was substantial. The traditional flat sprint finale was replaced by a hilly, tactical circuit, which favoured versatile riders over pure sprinters. The Montmartre climbs brought new tactical and spectator elements to the race's conclusion, making it a race until the final moment, as the author suggests.
Organisers intend to keep the Montmartre circuit in future editions, suggesting a permanent change in how the Tour finishes in Paris. This new chapter has written a new chapter in the road's history, with the Tour de France becoming a regular fixture in Montmartre's landscape.
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References: [1] Tour de France 2025: Montmartre circuit to feature in final stage [2] Montmartre circuit to revolutionise Tour de France finale [3] Tour de France 2025: Montmartre circuit adds new dimension to Paris finale [4] Montmartre circuit brings tactical changes to Tour de France finale [5] Wout van Aert wins Tour de France 2025 on Montmartre circuit
Sports enthusiasts can look forward to exciting changes in the Tour de France as the prestigious cycling event introduces the Montmartre circuit in the final stage. In the 2025 edition, this new circuit near the Arc de Triomphe is set to shake up the race, with challenging climbs and a hilly, tactical course that favors versatile riders over pure sprinters. Don't miss out on the action - subscribe to The Leadout newsletter for the latest updates on the Tour de France and more.
