Tour de France 2026 ***Spoilers***

[matticus]

But the neutralisation was at the top, the first time they went up, so the potential crash scenario was surely almost as likely then?

Are you sure? That would seem very odd.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cyc...-second-year-in-a-row-due-to-safety-concerns/
GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns

 

[T4tomo]

But the neutralisation was at the top, the first time they went up, so the potential crash scenario was surely almost as likely then?

I thought times stood on last pass of the finish line, before the first climb, not that it really matters

the only gaps on stage time were 14 riders 53 seconds adrift at the back. There were many gaps going over the top which suggests it was on the finish line pass

 

[TakeTheHighRoad]

<Unpopular opinion:>

I still think they should have a "proper" flat Champs Elysees stage every 3-4 years. It's just.. something special, an iconic part of Le Tour.

I'd expand on this, and have a 4 year cycle, like the last 4 years we've had

1 sprinter stage on the Champs, 2 Butte Montmatre finishes, 1 outside of Paris finish

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'll grudgingly accept that it was a great finish this year.

I still don't like it though. The neutralisation is utterly contrived and confusing and the Champs Élysées is just made for a sprint finish. It is (was) an important component of the green jersey competition and a reason for the top sprinters to stay in the race.

I'd expand on this, and have a 4 year cycle, like the last 4 years we've had

1 sprinter stage on the Champs, 2 Butte Montmatre finishes, 1 outside of Paris finish

I'd go for that. Maybe a Roubaix style velodrome finish, if that would even be practical.

 

[misforturob]

Any reports on MvDP's power stats for that finish yet?

The seated dig he put in about 500m from the end when it seemed they were just about to be caught was unreal.

Velon say 704W for 1 minute but it's not clear what 1 minute that is

 

[mididoctors]

I don't have a number, but it was almost exactly One MVDP* of energy. He ran into some fencing (at walking pace) after the finish and just fell onto the floor, entangled in his bike. Don't think I've ever seen the like.

*Apologies for the non-SI unit.

10 fallen safety barriers per m² per MvdP

 

[mididoctors]

I'd expand on this, and have a 4 year cycle, like the last 4 years we've had

1 sprinter stage on the Champs, 2 Butte Montmatre finishes, 1 outside of Paris finish

Mixing it up a bit would be cool . They'll stick with this for a while I think .

 

[Legs]

Velon say 704W for 1 minute but it's not clear what 1 minute that is

Pah!

 

[Dorset Boy]

Are you sure? That would seem very odd.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cyc...-second-year-in-a-row-due-to-safety-concerns/
GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns

They said GC times taken with 41 kms to go. That was the distance to go at the top of the first ascent of the climb.

 

[T4tomo]

They said GC times taken with 41 kms to go. That was the distance to go at the top of the first ascent of the climb.

89 - 48 =41 7th passage at 40.8km !!!

 

[Dorset Boy]

View attachment 816445

View attachment 816447

89 - 48 =41 7th passage at 40.8km !!!

41 kms to go, not 41 kms ridden!
41 kms to go = 48 kms ridden (approx), so your red arrow needs to move to the right to the top of Montmartre as I stated!

 

[mjr]

I'd go for that. Maybe a Roubaix style velodrome finish, if that would even be practical.

The Velodrome Jacques Anquetil isn't far from the finishing circuit, but 7km is too far from it for a loop.

 

[mididoctors]

View attachment 816445

View attachment 816447

89 - 48 =41 7th passage at 40.8km !!!

I see .the confusion is GC was at km 41 not 41 to go

 

[mididoctors]

In a few years the peloton will have that finish dialed in and it will be formulaic. Like the Champs Elysée final corner stay on the right..or is it left ? One of the two . Classics suffer this optimisation too.

 

[T4tomo]

41 kms to go, not 41 kms ridden!
41 kms to go = 48 kms ridden (approx), so your red arrow needs to move to the right to the top of Montmartre as I stated!

You've made the same mistake again from not reading properly!! It says 48km to go, I clipped that from the link that you posted!!
back at ya!!

and in farness I wasn't watching live so haven't been confused by DS's getting it wrong way round too! I was just using common sense that it would be on the finish line where they have timing equipment and before climbing started and where they did the same last year.