Cycling’s most prestigious and gruelling event, the Tour de France, is back for its 111th instalment in 2024. The world’s best road cyclists are preparing for the sport’s crowning event; a most intense pilgrimage through the beautiful French countryside.
An underappreciated sport, cyclists are some of the world’s fittest athletes. Not only must they be physically capable of completing the nearly 3,500 kilometres of Tour de France course, with large lungs and resilient leg muscles, but they must be mentally tough. Lose the battle between the ears and you risk losing the battle for the Tour de France altogether.
2024 is a massive year for French sport. The nation’s football team has every chance of claiming glory at Euro 2024, while the Olympics return to Paris for the first time in a century. In the midst of this sea of prestigious sporting tournaments, the Tour de France will be unfolding. Here’s everything you need to know about one of world sports most iconic events.
Your ultimate guide to the 2024 Tour de France
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When is the event?
29 June – 21 July 2024
The race will run over three weeks in the middle of the European summer, with two rest days on 8 July and 15 July.
Where is it?
Beginning in Florence, the route passes through Italian cities Bologna and Turin, as well as visiting the microstate of San Marino for the first time ever. This makes San Marino the 14th country to be visited by a tour stage.
From Turin, the race ventures deep into France until it hits Troyes, in the nation’s north-central Grand Est region, before making its way down toward Spain, where it tip-toes along the French-Spanish border through towns such as Pau before advancing to Monaco and eventually Nice.
Of the race’s 21 stages, seven are mountain stages, four have been labelled as hilly, while the remaining stages are flat.
How can I watch it?
While it is yet to be confirmed, it’s increasingly likely the race will be broadcast live and free-to-air by Australian broadcaster, SBS. The broadcaster has been the home of the Tour de France for many years now, growing synonymous with the prestigious race for Australian viewers.
SBS’ coverage of the 2023 edition of the race featured Matt Keenan and former professional road cyclists Bridie O’Donnell and Simon Gerrans. Expect much of the same this time around.
Why isn’t it finishing in Paris?
For the first time in its history, the race will not be finishing in the French capital. This is due to the city being deep into preparations for the Olympics by the time the race rolls into town.
Many who’ve grown accustomed to the prestigious event finishing in Paris, one of the world’s most glamorous cities, will have some adjusting to do ahead of this year’s race. French journalist, Christian Prudhomme, insisted; “It’s not that easy to have a finish that is not in Paris.”
However, what Nice lacks in the historic beauty of Paris, it more than compensates for with its natural elegance and jaw-dropping landscape. Located on the picturesque French Riviera, with chalky white cliffs and green oceans, the city is undoubtedly one of France’s most stunning regions and a more than worthy replacement for Paris as the Tour de France’s finish line.
Who are the favourites?
Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard has won the previous two editions of the race, 2022 and 2023. He’s firming as a favourite to take home his third consecutive yellow jersey. He will face stiff competition from Slovenia rider, Tadej Pogačar, who will be racing for UAE Team Emirates.
Elsewhere, Slovenia Primoz Roglic, the reigning Giro d’Italia champion, will be right in the mix, challenging both Pogačar and Vingegaard. Roglic has won three individual stages at the Tour, in 2017, 2018 and 2020, but will be hoping to achieve the ultimate goal of winning it all.
