Important Stages
What makes the route of the 2016 Tour so exciting is how spread out the action is. With several tough days in the mountains and an individual time trial, the general classification (GC) could easily be decided by the end of the second week of racing. Then again, anyone who falls behind will have plenty of opportunities in week three to claw his way back into the thick of things.
Here are a few stages you won't want to miss:
- Stage 8: Riders will tackle one of the most difficult days of Le Tour very early on. Beginning in Pua and ending 183 km later in Bagneres-de-Luchon, riders will conquer four categorized climbs, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet and the Col de Peyresourde near the finish. A select group of top contenders will take plenty of risks on the final descent--be sure not to miss it.
- Stage 12: On Bastille Day, riders will attempt to conquer Mont Ventoux--one of the most iconic climbs in the world. There will be little action during the 185 km leading up to the final climb of the day, but expect fireworks on the lower slopes. The winner of this stage could be in yellow all the way to Paris.
- Stage 13: The first of two individual time trials, this 37.5 km route from Bourg-Saint-Andeol to La Caverne Du Pont-d'Arc will be crucial to anyone who aspires to finish in yellow. What makes this stage so intriguing is that it falls after a tough day on Mont Ventoux. It will be interesting to see which riders have recovered enough to give another big effort.
- Stage 18: After weeks of tough racing, the final 17 km individual time trial is almost entirely uphill. Look for climbing specialists to make up for lost time on a route with gradients nearing 10 percent. Equipment will be an interesting aspect--check to see if your favorite cyclist chooses a road or TT bike.
- Stage 20: If the race is close, the descent into Morzine after cresting the summit of the 11.6 km and 8.5 percent gradient of the Col De Joux Plane could be epic. All totaled, this will be the fourth day in a row with a route featuring serious climbing, and the tired-legged favorites will have to fend off attacks if they plan to finish in yellow.
Riders to Watch
While there are sure to be plenty of surprises, there are a few riders set to start this year's race as clear favorites. Keep your eyes on these stars during the most difficult stages of this year's race:
- Chris Froome: Seeking to win his second consecutive Tour and third overall, Froome is the clear-cut favorite to win the yellow jersey in Paris. His unique ability to climb and race against the clock give him only a handful of true challengers.
- Alberto Contador: If there is a man who has proven he can ride with Froome, it's Contador. He'll also have extra motivation, as this is likely to be his final attempt at a top spot in Paris before he retires.
- Nairo Quintana: With an uphill time trial and nine total mountain stages, this route seems tailor-made for a climbing specialist like Quintana. If he manages to put major time into his opponents on Mont Ventoux, don't be surprised if he's cruising in yellow as things get heated in the Alps during week three.
- Fabio Aru: This up-and-coming Italian has already won the Vuelta a Espana and has a second-place finish in the 2015 Giro d'Italia, so being mentioned among the leaders won't be a surprise. Aru could very well be the next Italian champion of the Tour.
In addition to these GC favorites, make sure to catch a final glimpse of classics legend Fabian Cancellara, who will be racing in his final Tour de France.
As for the sprinters, expect the usual suspects to contend for the green jersey all the way to Paris. Battles between Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan, Marcel Kittel and Andre Greipel are sure to provide some of the most exciting finishes at this year's event.
Follow all the 2016 Tour de France action here.