Catch the thrills of Tour de France
Photo credit: Josh Hallett Wikimedia Commons
With the 101st edition of the World’s biggest and most challenging cycle race just around the corner, Tour de France fans are getting ready for another three weeks of exhilarating sporting entertainment. This year’s race sees cyclists speed out of Leeds in the UK on 5th July before steaming into Paris, some 21 stages, 3,656km and 22 days later.
The Tour de France ranks as one of the greatest spectator sports and it’s a huge thrill to watch 200-odd cyclists flash past you as you wait by the roadside. Holidaylettings.co.uk brings you five locations where you can experience the excitement of the race for yourself.
Stage 1 – Leeds to Harrogate
When: Saturday 5th July
About: The début of the Tour starts in Leeds at noon. This mostly flat 190km stage takes in stunning Yorkshire Moors scenery as it winds its way through Ilkley, Skipton and Ripon before arriving in Harrogate at around 4pm. This is a stage where cyclists can stretch their legs and gauge their opponents and teams can plan tactics.
Where to watch: Soak up pre-race excitement in Leeds, position yourself on the way or catch the end as cyclists get to Harrogate.
Stage 7 – Épernay to Nancy
When: Friday 11th July
About: By now the cyclists have found their road legs and the race for the Arc de Triomphe is truly on. One of the most gruelling stages, this one climbs two tough ascents along its long 234.5km route through northern France. Cyclists arrive from 5pm in Nancy where 18th century World Heritage City architecture welcomes them.
Where to watch: Place yourself in the centre of Nancy to cheer on the first cyclists as they make their tired way in after sweating up two category 4 peaks.
Stage 14 – Grenoble – Risoul
When: Saturday 19th July
About: With two thirds of the race behind them, the cyclists now face the second race in the Alps where the going is steep. This 177km stage includes two iconic peaks on the Tour, Lautaret and Izoard whose 19km ascent comes right at the end of the race. Participants leave Grenoble at noon and the winner is expected to reach Risoul at around 5pm.
Photo credit:Thierry Bézecourt via Wikimedia Commons
Where to watch: This stage passes some stunning Alpine scenery including La Salle les Alpes where the first cyclists are expected to go through at 3pm.
Stage 20 – Bergerac to Périgueux
When: Saturday 26th July
About: The penultimate stage of the Tour is a time trial, often the race that sorts the winner from the runners-up. Starting in Bergerac, cyclists will speed their way along 54km to reach Périgueux where one of the nearly 200 participants will put on the last yellow jersey of the Tour.
Where to watch: Watch the riders zoom off the starting blocks in Bergerac, zip past en route at Manzac sur Vern or speed into the finish in Périgueux. The clock starts in Bergerac at 10am and continues ticking in Périgueux until 5.30pm.
Stage 21 – Evry to Paris
When: Sunday 27th July
About: 3,656 and 4 countries later, the Tour de France finally comes to a close appropriately at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The final podium may be decided on this last stage whose 137.5km start in Evry before getting to Paris and lapping the Champs Elysées circuit whose gradient is deceptively steep.
Where to watch: Catch the riders anywhere on the final circuit as they lap it eight times and if you can find a spot among the crowds, near the podium.
Catch the thrills of Tour de France now! – Travel Feeder
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
