timeThe final stage of the Tour de France is one of the most iconic parts of the world’s most famous cycling race. Even casual fans can immediately picture the scene: a route past Parisian landmarks, culminating in a pulsating sprint down the Champs Elysées. The Tour de France was first held in 1910 and has run for 110 times, each ending in the French capital. But not number 111.
The 2024 Tour de France kicks off in Florence on Saturday. s position great departure Fitting for an unusual race; this is the first time in the history of the Tour de France that it starts in neighboring Italy. The main force will pass through the Italian countryside before looping counter-clockwise around France before ending on the Mediterranean in Nice – stage 21 taking place outside Paris for the first time. The Tour will also conclude with an individual time trial rather than a sprint race – the first time since 1989.
The Olympics forced the tour organizers to make a decision to go against history and end in Nice – five days before the opening ceremony in Paris. The logistical difficulties involved in any overlap have been blamed – although the last Olympics were held in Paris in 1924, the Tour de France ended in the capital midway through the Games as usual. Regardless, the 2024 Olympics will feature heavily throughout the Tour de France, with many riders setting their sights on medal prospects in the Olympic road races and time trials.
For cycling enthusiasts, the Tour de France is the main course before the Olympic main course. The battle for the overall rankings is highly anticipated, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard trying to shake off a serious injury and Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar trying to become a quarter The first rider in a century to win the Giro d’Italia double. The heavyweight showdown in yellow could also feature Primoz Rolic and Remko Evernepour as the pair attempt to challenge the dominant Vengergaard-Pogača duopoly (They have won the past four editions).
Limited Australian general classification options
An Australian has won the hallowed yellow jersey only once – Cadel Evans’ famous victory in 2011. But in recent years, Australia has faced considerable threats in the general classification. Tasmanian veteran Richie Porte ended years of Tour heartbreak with a podium finish in 2020. The following year, it was Ben O’Connor’s turn, with the West Australian winning his Tour de France debut and finishing an impressive fourth.
Australian cycling has reached a high point following Jai Hindley’s historic Giro d’Italia pink jersey victory at the 2022 Tour de France, but with O’Connor and Jack Black Australian cycling has hit rock bottom again after Jack Haig’s mediocre performance (although stage wins by Simon Clarke and Michael Matthews were notable highlights). Hindley won a stage last year and received a yellow card on the day before finishing seventh.
In contrast, there is no Australian challenge for the yellow jersey expected at this year’s Tour de France. O’Connor opted to compete in the Giro d’Italia, where he finished fourth, and will have to wait until the 2025 Tour de France, where he is expected to race for Australian team Jayco-AlUla. Hindley is deployed as a super forward for Bora-Hansgrohe Roglic; barring unexpectedly poor performance or an injury to the captain, Hindley will assume a supporting role. Although Hague will race for the Bahrain Victory Team, his 16th place finish at the Dauphiné, the traditional pre-Tour de France warm-up race, is not an indication that he is in good enough shape to challenge for the podium.
Stage and sprint ambition
Instead, the top six Australian teams on the tour will further their team ambitions and target the individual stages. Jayco-AlUla brings a multi-pronged line-up to France, with British rider Simon Yates in contention for the general class, Dutch fastman Dylan Groenewegen challenging for the sprints and former Green Jersey champion Michael Matthews was able to cope with the mid-term stages.
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Matthews has been in good form this season, finishing second at Milan-Sanremo and posting two top-10 finishes at the Spring Classic. Compatriots Chris Harper and Luke DeBridge will also feature for Jaco AlUla.
The Olympics await
The 33-year-old Matthews will be part of a tour team focused on fitness ahead of the Paris Olympics, with the three-time World Championship medalist expected to be the leader of Australia’s road races. The men’s Olympic route will be a war of attrition, including 273 kilometers of nearly 3,000 meters of climbing, which suits Matthews – Canberra did not choose Tokyo but has a chance of medaling in Paris.
With the Tour de France being shown late into the night on SBS, the race will also serve as a warm-up for bleary-eyed viewers ahead of the Olympics, which will essentially be watched at night for Australian audiences. But for those who can tolerate the lack of sleep, it’s going to be an exciting month.
