The Tour de France’s Italian Interlude: A New Era of Racing Begins
The three-day Tour de France leg in Italy has concluded. It felt like the Giro d’Italia, thanks to the significant presence of the RCS Sport team who organized the races. Countless tifosi gathered to witness the spectacle.
The race kicked off in Florence, not traditionally known for cycling. However, the second stage, the climb up Bologna San Luca, truly encapsulated the Italian spirit. The 2km climb was packed with spectators, its resemblance to Monte Zoncolan unmistakable— sans the iconic semicircular arch of the portico visible in the background.
The enthusiasm of the tifosi added a touch of glamour to the world’s biggest cycling race. It’s a fitting time to reflect, as we enter France, before the 4th stage.
The Tour has embraced foreign Grand Departs, with Copenhagen in 2021, Bilbao in 2022, and Florence this year. This marks the seventh time since 2014. More than half of the Grand Departs have been held overseas. While bids involve money and politics, it’s likely a strategic move for ASO, the organizers, even with the added effort it involves.
This trend is shaping the nature of the race. Last year in Bilbao, the first stage was challenging, touted as one of the toughest in recent years. This year, however, Florence’s first stage, with an elevation gain of 3,600m, has surpassed it in difficulty.
Of course, this hinges on the topography of the Grand Départ city, making generalization difficult. Yet, it’s natural for the host team to prioritize an exciting stage, allowing stars such as Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Wingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, or Wout van Aert to shine. This inevitably leads to tougher routes and thrilling action.
This development is a boon for fans, as it eliminates the early uncertainty surrounding the GC contenders, offering a fast-paced race that sets the stage for the next three weeks. A more passive start, where the yellow jersey hopeful remains in the pack until the seventh day, is no longer tenable in an era of omnipresent cameras.
However, this shift brings its own set of challenges. Riders can’t sustain three weeks of intense action. Moreover, the lack of attacks in the third stage highlighted this issue, especially during the initial week of the race. What can commentators offer for four hours when the group moves calmly? The lack of action will be a disappointment for fans accustomed to high-energy racing. However, when the Grand Depart takes place overseas, it’s unavoidable that the host, aiming to showcase various municipalities, will opt for a longer course.
The Tour de France is evolving towards shorter, more intense racing. Flat stages are losing popularity. But the third stage, despite its redundancy, highlights a significant development.
Ghirmay’s Triumph: A Milestone for Cycling’s Diversity
Biniyam Ghirmay (Intermarche Wanty) emerged triumphant in the mass sprint, becoming the first black rider from the African continent to win a stage in the Tour. His entire career signifies a new chapter in cycling, the rise of a "third world" rider to the pinnacle of European cycling.
Calling Eritrea a small country is an understatement. In 2015, Daniel Terrehaimano wore the King of the Mountains jersey at the Tour. Today, numerous Eritrean riders compete for WorldTour teams. Ghirmay attributes his inspiration to other Eritrean pros, with Daniel Teklehaimano and Merhawi Kudus, both first-time Tour riders, being key influences.
Yet, Ghirmay doesn’t shy away from the hurdles African riders face in entering the European cycling scene. "Being an African rider means you have to face a lot of obstacles. Even if you mainly race domestically, it’s hard to show your potential in Europe. When I was a junior rider, I did everything I might to learn European culture because everything was different from Eritrea. I had to learn the ‘bike language’. But how much time did that take?"
Ghirmay’s success, however, lies not in the mountains, where his predecessors excelled, but in sprinting. "Black riders may be thin and suited to mountain climbing, but I thought I was born to be fast on the flats. Sagan and Cavendish were my idols. So I was always doing interval training to improve my sprinting power."
The flat stage, often perceived as dull, provided the stage for Ghirmay’s historic victory. While races with short, high-intensity action might attract higher viewership, the Tour, the epitome of bicycle road racing, requires flat stages. As Ghirmay demonstrated, a cyclist from a small country may find greater success in a sprint. Imagine a Japanese cyclist winning the Tour using the same strategy. Japanese cyclists are already showing incredible sprinting talent on the track, pointing towards a potential future success in the Tour.
In conclusion, the three days of the Tour de France in Italy were a resounding success. The first two stages were thrilling, showcasing the spirit of Italian cycling through the presence of the Route and the tifosi. Ghirmay’s historic victory added another layer to the narrative. All three riders who wore the yellow jersey – Bardet, Pogacar, and Carapaz – presented unique stories. This Italian leg encapsulated the charm and essence of the entire Tour, a fitting conclusion in this era of globalization.
The French stage has begun, and we eagerly anticipate the stories that will unfold. The Tour has finally returned to its home country, and the race is just beginning. This is a French race, and the stories will prove it.
The Tour de France’s Italian Interlude: A Glimpse of the Future?
The three-day jaunt of the Tour de France through Italy has concluded, leaving behind a vibrant trail of excitement and a lingering sense of the Giro d’Italia, an almost inevitable association given the significant involvement of RCS Sport in organizing both events. Amidst the enthusiastic throngs of tifosi lining the route, a distinct Italian spirit infused the world’s most prestigious cycling race.
The Enchantment of Bologna San Luca
The race’s Italian chapter began in Florence, a city not typically associated with cycling, but it was the second stage, the grueling climb up the Bologna San Luca, that truly embodied the essence of Italian cycling. The sheer density of spectators lining the 2km ascent, with the iconic semicircular arch of the portico looming in the background, felt remarkably similar to the iconic climbs of the Giro, like Monte Zoncolan. The enthusiastic Italian fans added a layer of captivating grandeur to the Tour.
The Rise of the Foreign Grand Départ
These past few years have seen a dramatic shift in the Tour de France’s landscape, with the Grand Départ hosted in cities outside of France. Copenhagen (Denmark) in 2021, Bilbao (Spain) in 2022, and this year’s Florence have all hosted the race’s momentous start, marking the seventh such overseas event since 2014. This trend signifies a strategic shift for ASO, the Tour organizers, as hosting the Grand Départ internationally, despite the logistical complexities, offers significant advantages in terms of exposure, financial gains, and potential audience expansion.
This internationalization is also impacting the race’s dynamic. The first stage in Bilbao last year was lauded as one of the toughest opening stages in recent memory, but this year’s Florence stage, with a staggering 3,600m elevation gain, has already surpassed that record. Of course, the terrain of the Grand Départ city plays a crucial role, but it’s natural that the host nation would aim for an exhilarating and dramatic opening stage, showcasing the stars of cycling, such as Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Wingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, and Wout van Aert.
Benefits and Practical Tips
This shift towards more intense opening stages, while undoubtedly exciting for fans, has raised concerns. The first few days, traditionally a period filled with tactical maneuvering and uncertainty, now become a high-octane sprint to establish the early GC contenders. This eliminates the element of suspense that has historically characterized the early stages, leading some to question whether the Tour is losing some of its unique character.
However, this shift towards a faster-paced race is arguably inevitable in our hyper-connected world, where viewers expect instant gratification and relentless action. The constant camera presence, capturing every minute detail, adds to the pressure for thrilling, high-intensity moments. The uncertainty surrounding the GC contenders is resolved much quicker, allowing for a focus on the dynamic action that unfolds over the subsequent three weeks.
The Global Face of Cycling
While the shift towards more challenging Grand Départs has ignited debate, the Tour de France’s recent foray into Italy has also revealed the sport’s increasingly global appeal. Biniam Ghirmay, the Eritrean cyclist, who secured a historic victory in a mass sprint in the third stage, is a testament to this global evolution. He became the first black rider from the African continent to win a stage in the Tour, carving his name into cycling history.
The Significance of Sprint Stages
Ghirmay’s triumph in the flat stage highlights the importance of sprint stages, which are often dismissed as boring. While it’s true that these stages may not attract the same level of attention as the dramatic mountain climbs, they create opportunities for riders who excel in flat terrain, fostering diversity and challenging the preconceived notions regarding the sport. Ghirmay’s journey is a powerful reminder that the cycling world is evolving, and those who might not be immediately associated with the grand mountains of Europe can still achieve incredible feats.
The Tour de France: A Story Unfolding
The three-day Italian stint of the Tour de France was a microcosm of the larger narrative unfolding in the world of cycling. It was a tapestry of thrilling stages, passionate fans, historic moments, and a growing global presence. As the Tour continues its journey through France, the excitement and the anticipation are sure to build, promising more captivating stories that will define this year’s race.
