"What's the genuine sentiment among the cyclists in the Tour de France concerning the revised final stage in Paris?"
Tour de France 2025 to Incorporate Challenging Montmartre Climb in Final Stage
The Tour de France is set to shake up its traditional Paris finale in 2025, with the inclusion of the Côte de la Butte Montmartre (Rue Lepic) in the final stage. This 1.1 km climb, known for its cobbled surface and steep sections, aims to add difficulty and tactical opportunities to the race, breaking away from the usual purely ceremonial sprint finish on the Champs-Élysées.
The decision to incorporate the Montmartre climb was inspired by its successful inclusion during the 2024 Paris Olympics road race. With an average gradient of roughly 5.5%, the climb will provide a significant challenge, particularly near the top where the gradient increases. The climb will be tackled three times, with the last summit just 6km from the finish line.
However, not all riders and teams are convinced about the practical benefits of this change. Some question whether the Montmartre’s cobbled climbs will truly shake up the overall race outcome or simply add complexity to what traditionally was a parade and sprint day. The narrow width of the climb, which is only 10m at its narrowest and 14m at its widest, is a concern for some riders.
The final day of the Tour de France in 2025 will be a challenging 132.3km, with twice as much elevation gain as the last time the Tour finished in Paris in 2023. The narrow streets of Montmartre could make it a lot more difficult for the sprint trains to control, potentially leading to a more unpredictable finish.
Wout van Aert, a notable rider, has expressed his disapproval, expecting the final stage to be dangerous and chaotic due to the larger peloton and the suitability of the course for Classics riders. On the other hand, Jonathan Milan, the winner of stages eight and 17, hopes to arrive in a fast finale but acknowledges that the new route will make the day "a bit more particular, maybe, a bit different."
The final ascent in Montmartre will be crested with 6.1km to go, marking the last categorised climb of the race. The winner is expected to cross the finish line around 18:30 UK time.
The Tour de France's final stage promises to deliver late drama, jeopardy until the final pedal strokes, and fan delight on the streets of Paris. The artist's quarter in Paris, known for caricatures, red wine, and an unspoiled view across the city, was flooded with cycling fans during the 2024 Olympics road race. The flat dash on the Champs-Élysées has become known as the unofficial sprinters' world championships, with winners including Mark Cavendish, Marcel Kittel, and Jordi Meeus.
As race director Prudhomme suggests, the final day of the Tour de France in 2024 might not be unique, with a potential finish outside of Paris. Regardless, the inclusion of the Butte Montmartre is set to make the final stage of the Tour de France in 2025 a thrilling and unforgettable event.
[1] Tour de France official website [2] Cycling News [3] BBC Sport [4] The Guardian
- The inclusion of the Côte de la Butte Montmartre in the final stage of the Tour de France 2025 is expected to add significant challenge and tactical opportunities to the race, departing from the usual traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées, transforming the event into a thrilling and unforgettable competition.
- With the Montmartre climb providing a steep and cobbled ascent that will be tackled three times, the final stage of the Tour de France 2025 is likely to be a nail-biting showdown between the riders, potentially creating a chaotic and unpredictable finish.
