"Insights on the New Paris Stage: The Anticipated Disorder Among the Tour de France Competitors"
The final stage of the 2025 Tour de France promises to deliver late drama, jeopardy, and fan delight on the streets of Paris. The route, which includes three ascents of the Butte Montmartre (Rue Lepic), marks a departure from the traditional sprint finish, stirring mixed reactions among riders.
Over the past 50 years, the flat dash on the Champs-Elysees has become known as the unofficial sprinters' world championships. However, this year, the final stage brings one of the shortest road stages of the race, at 132.3km, but with twice as much elevation gain as the last time the Tour finished in Paris in 2023.
The climb of Rue Lepic, now known as the Cote de la Butte Montmartre, will test the endurance and tactical skills of the riders. With the last summit just 6km from the finish line, the stage tempts puncheurs and classics specialists to attack rather than the usual bunch sprint.
Riders' opinions about the new route are mixed. While some, like Oscar Onley, find the new route exciting, adding a different element to the race, others, such as Remco Evenepoel, express concerns. Evenepoel, the 2024 Olympic road race winner on the same climb, fears chaos and potential loss of positions in the standings.
Tadej Pogacar also shares concerns, stating that the final stage will add more stress to the race. Meanwhile, Jonathan Milan, a winner in this year's Tour de France, desires a controlled sprint day but acknowledges that the new route adds a unique challenge to the final stage.
The climb of Rue Lepic, where only 50 riders were left in the bunch during the Olympics, is a concern for some riders due to its narrow width. Wout van Aert has expressed concern about the chaos that may occur during the final stage, stating that it ignores the fact that the peloton during the Olympics was much smaller.
Marcel Kittel, a winner on the Champs-Elysees, expressed disappointment over the change in the route, feeling it would make the day "a lot more difficult" for the sprint trains to control. Despite these reservations, the Tour organizers highlight widespread enthusiasm from both the public and many riders, indicating that the route was well received overall during the 2025 finale.
Organizers express a desire to keep Montmartre as a feature in future editions due to its success in adding spectacle. The final stage is expected to cross the finish line around 18:30 UK time, promising a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Tour de France.
More than half a million people gathered by the roadside in Paris for the men's Olympic road race, flooding the artist's quarter of Paris, known for caricatures, red wine, and an unspoiled view, with cycling fans. As the riders prepare for the final stage, the anticipation among fans and riders alike is palpable.
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