Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 4:02 PM
The Tour de France 2025 promises to be very tough with mountain stages to Hautacam, Col de la Loze and La Plagne, among others, but at first glance the sprinters also have quite a few chances for daytime success. In the opening stage, even the first yellow jersey is up for grabs. “That doesn’t happen often,” Jasper Philipsen enthuses.
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The start of the Tour will ‘normally’ take place again next year in France after visits to Copenhagen, Bilbao and Firenze. It is the Hauts-de-France region that The Great Departure may organize. The round starts on Saturday, July 5, with a ride to and from Lille. The sprinters seem to have their turn right away, because the organization ignores the nearby cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix.
Jasper Philipsen – the most successful Tour sprinter of recent years – has circled this stage in red. “The first stage in Lille is immediately a very nice opportunity,” he does not hide his ambitions in conversation with The Newspaper. “It is not often that sprinters can compete for the yellow jersey. I’ve never had that opportunity in my career, so I’m really excited.”
Seven or eight sprint opportunities
The opening stage is certainly not the only stage that is tailor-made for the sprinters. Philipsen sees “seven or eight opportunities” for the real speed demons. “But before that I have to look at it in more detail.” Also in the stages with some elevation meters and transition stages Flame of Ham feels promising. “I might also like those rides, but that will mainly depend on what the condition is at that moment.”
“The real mountain stages, to La Plagne for example, seem very tough to me, but overall I am happy. The Tour is normally on the program for me, but at the moment everyone is still enjoying their holiday. So it remains to be seen what exactly the planning will look like.”
The Tour de France 2025: A Spirited Sprint and Montagne Mayhem!
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, because the Tour de France 2025 is shaping up to be a real knee-slapper and a thigh-burner all rolled into one! With more mountain stages than you can shake a protein bar at—Hautacam, Col de la Loze, and La Plagne—this year’s route is guaranteed to have the cyclists puffing harder than a steam train on steroids!
Let the Games Begin!
Now, the sprinters aren’t just left in the dust this time around. With the opening stage promising some serious rushing to the finish line, it’s a chance for our speed demons to don the coveted yellow jersey right off the bat! Jasper Philipsen, the Van Gogh of sprinting—if Van Gogh painted in cyclist Lycra and hid his love for the classics—has circled July 5 on his calendar with more enthusiasm than I circle free lunch options. “It’s not often sprinters can chase the yellow jersey!” he practically yells. And rightly so! When was the last time you saw sprinters sprinting for glory instead of merely sprinting for their morning croissant?
Seven or Eight Chances? Count Me In!
Philipsen is not just settling for a single chance; he’s got his eye on “seven or eight opportunities” to cut through the competition like a hot knife through butter. Oh, the thrill of men in tight shorts racing at ludicrous speeds while we sit on our couches, armed with snacks and our finest judgment! He also mentions “the Flame of Ham”—wait, sorry, did someone just throw a sausage into the tour? He must mean stages that might be a bit hilly, but let’s just say the only real “flame” is the one igniting our hopes of seeing a spectacularly catastrophic tumble on the steep slopes. Isn’t that what cycling is all about, folks?
The Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows
Now, let’s not forget the mountain stages. They might appear more daunting than a first date with a cat lady—tough climbs, wobbly knees, and perhaps a few men questioning their life choices as they race up La Plagne. But the real kicker is that these mountain challenges only exacerbate the tension and excitement! Aren’t we just nuts for loving this? Babel fish in, pain out!
But Who’s Still on Holiday?
But it’s not all about chasing jerseys and glory! Philipsen casually notes, “The Tour is normally on the program for me, but everyone is still enjoying their holiday.” Ah, yes, the great paradox of cycling! Tour de France cyclists—who summon god-like levels of fitness—have to play the waiting game while the rest of us stuff our faces at holiday buffets. It’s the ultimate test of patience, and in the world of cycling, it’s downright apocalyptic!
So, folks, buckle up! With a mix of grueling climbs, blistering sprints, and the occasional mishap—because come on, this is cycling—we’re set for a Tour de France 2025 that’s going to be more exciting than a cat on a Roomba. Let’s get ready to cheer, jeer, and cringe as our favorite athletes pedal their hearts out. And remember: in the game of cycling, when in doubt, check for cobblestones!
Order Your RIDE Magazine!
Before I race away, let’s not forget to order our RIDE Magazine to keep full track of our cycling gods! For just €9.95, you can dive deep into 172 pages of pure cycling joy. Just make sure you don’t knock over your nachos while you read!
The Tour de France 2025 is set to challenge cyclists with demanding mountain stages leading to prominent peaks such as Hautacam, Col de la Loze, and La Plagne, among others. Despite the grueling terrain, the sprinters will also find ample opportunities for daytime triumphs, particularly in the much-anticipated opening stage where the coveted first yellow jersey is up for grabs. Jasper Philipsen, the reigning star of the sprinting scene, expresses his excitement: “That doesn’t happen often.”
The new edition of RIDE Magazine is now available! Our latest 172-page autumn edition is packed with captivating cycling stories that cycling enthusiasts will find delightful. Order your copy online now for only €9.95. Those who act quickly can take advantage of a €15 discount at FuturumShop. Interested in accessing RIDE at even lower prices? Then take out a subscription now and enjoy a 20% discount!
The start of the Tour is scheduled to return to France for the 2025 edition following stops in cities like Copenhagen, Bilbao, and Firenze. The Hauts-de-France region has expressed its intentions to host The Great Departure. The grand tour kicks off on Saturday, July 5, featuring a thrilling ride to and from Lille. Notably, sprinters will have a chance to shine right from the beginning, as the organizers have opted to sidestep the nearby cobblestones traditionally associated with Paris-Roubaix.
Jasper Philipsen, celebrated as the most successful sprinter in recent Tour history, has marked this opening stage as a pivotal moment. “The first stage in Lille is immediately a very nice opportunity,” he states enthusiastically in an interview with The Newspaper. “It is not often that sprinters can compete for the yellow jersey. I’ve never had that opportunity in my career, so I’m really excited.”
Seven or eight sprint opportunities
Philipsen believes the opening stage is just the beginning for sprinters. He identifies “seven or eight opportunities” throughout the Tour tailored for the speedsters. “But before that I have to look at it in more detail.” He also acknowledges that stages featuring some elevation will present their own unique challenges and potentials. “I might also like those rides, but that will mainly depend on what the condition is at that moment.”
“The real mountain stages, such as the one to La Plagne, seem very tough to me, but overall I am happy. The Tour is normally on the program for me, but at the moment everyone is still enjoying their holiday. So it remains to be seen what exactly the planning will look like.”
