This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
Published on October 15, 2019, the 2020 Tour de France route has been unveiled in Paris, setting pulses racing with a host of mouth-watering stages in prospect.
Organisers have lit the fuse of the 2020 route with bonus seconds up for grabs on the penultimate climb and at the finish line, hoping to emulate the thrill of the 2019 Tour. This could lead to an attacking mindset, as seen in the 2019 Tour, where riders like Julian Alaphilippe seized the initiative and the yellow jersey.
One of the most challenging stages is the second Pyrenean stage, which features a first 11km climb at over nine percent of the Col de la Hourcere, followed by four climbs and a treacherous, winding descent to the finish line.
Another unique stage starts on one island and finishes on another, weaving through the narrow roads of the coastal marshes. The organisers are hoping for wind on the day to create breaks in the peloton.
The summit of the Tourmalet, a 2300m peak, offers a 7km bike track with flat sections and 20 percent inclines. This has never been featured before, and riders will have the chance to take in the breathtaking 360-degree view, with Mont Blanc in the palm of their hand.
French hero Thibaut Pinot's backyard has been chosen for the only time trial of the event, which starts out flat and has a long incline before a final 6km ascent. This will be a decisive moment in the 2020 Tour, making it a thrilling conclusion to the event.
