2024 Tour de France Route Preview: The 111th edition of the Tour de France starts in Italy and the finish is in Nice, in the south of France. No Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph or Champs-Elysées. The route looks to be made for the climbers with 65 categorised slopes and 4 summit finishes. But there is also 50 kilometres of individual time trial, the final stage 21 from Monaco to Nice is 34 kilometres against the clock and might just decide this year’s French Grand Tour. Here we look at all the stages:
2024 Tour teaser
The 2024 Tour has a lot of mountains: The Apennines, the Italian and French Alps, the Pyrenees and the Massif Central, it is a Tour for the climbers, but this year we will be looking forward to battles between the best riders on the planet. Visma | Lease a Bike has announced a full team, including Jonas Vingegaard, after their crash ruined spring, also Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglič will be on the start line. Then there is strong UAE Team Emirates led by Tadej Pogačar – It’s a cycling fan’s dream.
A cycling fan’s dream
The 2024 Tour starts on Saturday, June 29th in Florence, Italy. It is the third year in a row that Le Grand Départ has not been in France. But it is the first time in Tour history that the French Grand Tour has started in Italy. This is not the only thing that makes this 111th edition of the Tour de France different. With the exception of the first two Tours in 1903 and 1904, which ended in Ville d’Avray, the Tour has always ended in Paris. First in the Parc des Princes from 1906 to 1967, then in the Cipale velodrome from 1968 to 1975 and since 1975 on the cobbles of the Champs-Elysées. In 2024, due to the Olympic Games in Paris, La Grande Boucle must move south for the finale. Tour’24 will finish with a time trial along the Mediterranean coast from Monaco to Nice.
The route of the Tour de France 2024
Stage 1: Florence – Rimini (206km)
The first stage has seven categorised climbs. Four Cat.3 and three Cat.2 climbs. No easy start for the sprinters or a farm up for those riders looking for form. The 206 kilometre long stage from Florence passes through the beautiful Tuscan landscape and San Marino to the finish in the coastal town of Rimini. After a flat 30 kilometres, there is the first climb: the Col de Valico Tre Faggi (12.5km at 5.1%). There is then a descent of 25 kilometre to the Côte des Forche (2.5km at 6.2%), then the Sella di Raggio or Côte de Spinello (7.1km at 6%) comes very soon after. The summit is at only the halfway point of the stage.
A tough start
After another long descent, the riders start the toughest part of the stage with four climbs within 50 kilometres: The Côte de Barbotto (5.8km at 7.6%), Côte de San Leo (4.6km at 7.7%) and the Côte de Montemaggio (4.2 m at 6.6%). The final climb of the day, the Côte de Saint-Marin (7.1km at 4.8%), goes to the capital of the little state San Marino. The summit is 25 kilometres from the finish. The first 10 kilometres are downhill back to Italy and the last 15 kilometres are flat to the finish in the beach town of Rimini.
But a nice finish
Stage 2: Cesenatico – Bologna (200km)
The Tour stays in the Emilia-Romagna region for the second stage of 200 kilometres from the late Marco Pantani’s hometown of Cesenatico to Bologna. Stage 2 is relatively flat, compared to the previous day, but there is still the tough climb to the sanctuary of San Luca, twice. The first 74 kilometres are completely flat, after which the Passo di Calbane, or the Côte de Monticino (2km at 7.5%) and the Côte de Gallisterna (1.2km at 12.8%), which was used in the 2020 World championships in Imola, are the first climbs of the day.
Stage 2
The peloton crosses the finish line for the first time via Imola in Bologna. This is followed by two laps through the city. The circuit is 19 kilometres long and has the Côte de San Luca (1.9km at 10.6%) and the climb to Montalbano (1km at 5.4%). The last 9 kilometres of each lap are flat or through valleys, so dropped riders might manage to regain the peloton in the final kilometres.
Stage 2 profile
Stage 3: Piacenza – Turin (229km)
The third day of the Tour de France might suit the sprinters, but it is far from easy. The riders have 229 kilometres to ride from Piacenza to Turin, where a bunch sprint is very likely. There is the Cote de Tortona-Fausto Coppi (1.1km at 6.3%), the Cote de Barbaresco (1.5km at 6.5%) and the Cote de Sommariva Perno (3.1km at 4 .6%), all Cat.4 climbs. The finish is in Turin, capital of the Piedmont region, which has impressive architecture and art because of its Roman history. The city also has a sports history, it hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics, is home to football clubs Juventus and Torino and the finish of the World’s oldest bike race: Milan-Turin, which usually ends in a bunch sprint.
Could this be Mark Cavendish’s big day?
Stage 4: Pinerolo – Valloire (138km)
The Tour de France returns to its home land on day four. The stage from Pinerolo to Valloire is only 138 kilometres, but there is very little flat. The Alps need to be crossed to reach France. The giant climb of the Col du Galibier, summits 19 kilometres from the finish.
Stage 4 map and profile
Before the peloton crosses into France, Italy has two climbs to conquer. From the start to rad climbs to Sestrieres. The last 7 kilometres rise at 7.2%, but the complete length of the climb is 39.9 kilometres at 3.7%. This is followed by the Col de Montgenèvre (8.3km at 5.9%). A short descent brings the riders to the Col du Galibier (23km at 5.1%). This Alpine giant is where climbing legends are made. From the top there are 19 downhill kilometres to Valloire and the finish line.
The Pez climbed the Galibier in his youth – read that adventure here
Stage 5: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Saint-Vulbas (177.4km)
The Col du Galibier will still be hurting the rider’s legs on stage 5, but any sprinters who have survived the giant climb will be hoping for a bunch finish. From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a 177 kilometre stage takes the peloton to Saint-Vulbas near Lyon. There are two small climbs that shouldn’t bother the fast finishers. The first 50 kilometres are flat or downhill. The first of two climbs is the Côte de Couz (12.9km at 2.7%), the riders then cross the Rhône and pass through Le Pont-de-Beauvoison and Aoste. This takes them from the Savoie department via Isère to Ain. Forty kilometres from the finish is the Côte de Lhuis (4.4 km at 4.2%), the sprint trains can get on their rails.
Stage 5 profile
Stage 6: Mâcon – Dijon (163km)
Another chance for the sprinters on stage six from Mâcon to Dijon, over 163 kilometres. The only climb of the day, the Col du Bois Clair (1.8km at 5.7%), comes 153 kilometres from the finish. A perfect stage for a break to go early on the climb, to then be brought back by the sprinter’s teams in time for a bunch kick. After the climb the road is almost flat and the finishing straight is 800 meters long, just right for the fast-finishers.
Stage 6 Strava map and profile
Stage 7: Nuits-Saint-Georges – Gevrey-Chambertin (25km)
The first of two races against the clock is on stage 7. A 25 kilometre time trial from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin. There is a climb of about 1.5 kilometres and there is a total of 300 metres of climbing.
Stage 7 TT
The time trial has one climb: the Côte de Reulle-Vergey (1.5km at 6.5%). After 10 kilometres through the Burgundian vineyards, the riders hit the climb. The approach is slightly uphill and after the summit the road has a false flat for another 4 kilometres before the descent. There are 3 kilometres downhill to Chambolle-Musigny and then there are 6.5 kilometres of flat to the finish in Gevrey-Chambertin.
Stage 7 profile
Stage 8: Semur-En-Auxois – Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises (176km)
The Tour de France organisers say stage 8 is flat, but there are 2,300 metres of climbing from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, with seven categorised climbs in 176 kilometres. The climbs are not too hard, but they will sap the energy over the day.
Stage 8 is far from flat
In the first 50 kilometres the riders have to climb the Côte de Vitteaux (3.2km at 5.7%), Côte de Villy-en-Auxois (2.7km at 5.4%) and Côte de Verrey-sous- Salmaise (3.6km at 5.1%). The next climb is after 100 kilometres: the Côte de Santenoge (1.5km at 6.9%). Then after the Côte de Bay-sur-Aube (2.7km at 4.7%) and the Côte de Giey-sur-Aujon (1.4km at 7.0%), the riders still have a further 50 kilometres with less climbing. The sprinter’s teams can take over on the rolling roads to the finish. The only problem for the fast-finishers will be the Côte de Eufigneix (2.2km at 4.5%), before they reach the finish in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. a late break could beat the sprinters, but most anything could happen.
Stage 8
Stage 9: Troyes – Troyes (199km)
The day before the first rest day, the Tour hits the gravel. The fourteen chemins blancs (white roads) are on stage 9, starting and finishing in Troyes, with around 2,000 meters of climbing. Thirty-two kilometres are on dusty, gravel roads, half of them are in the last 50 flat kilometres.
After 47 kilometres, the riders hit the first gravel section. From Bligny to Bergères is the first chemin blanc, which is followed by the Côte de Bergères (1.7km at 5.2%). The second gravel section is also on a climb, the Côte de Baroville (2.8km at 4.8%). Four gravel sections and three climbs are tackled within 35 kilometres. This deadly section opens with the Côte de Loches-sur-Ource (1.5km at 5.2%), which takes the riders to lane number one. The next two chemins blancs are uphill: the Côte de Val Frion (2.2km at 5%) and the Côte de Chacenay (3km at 4.3%). A final false flat gravel road rounds off this sector. The riders still have 70 flat kilometres with seven more sections of gravel. The chemins blancs from Thieffrain to Magnant and from Briel-sur-Barse take the riders into the last 30 kilometres. There are six lanes in 25 kilometres. The last 10 kilometres to Troyes are on flat asphalt roads.
Stage 9 : Troyes – Troyes #TourdeFrance 2024
Monday 8 July . Rest Day No.1 – Orléans
Orléans, the river city – Loire Valley
Stage 10: Orléans – Saint-Amand-Montrond (187km)
The 10th stage from Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond is 187 kilometres long with no classified climbs, but this won’t be a rest. There could be a surprise as echelons are possible as the Tour turns south. If the sprinter’s teams can pull the race together there will be a sprint finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond.
Stage 10 profile
Stage 11: Éveaux-les-Bains – Le Lioran (211km)
The Tour gets into the Massif Central on stage 11 from Éveaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran. The peloton covers 211 kilometres with four short, steep climbs in the last 50 kilometres with a total of 4,200 metres of climbing. The Col de Néronne (3.8km at 9.1%), Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol (5.4km at 8.1%), Col du Perthus (4.4km at 7.9% ) and the Col de Font de Cère (3.3km at 5.8%) will shake up the finale. None of the climbs are long, but they are steep, with sections of up to 12%. After the summit of the Col de Font de Cère there are 2.5 kilometres to the finish. The road to the finish is mostly downhill, but the last few hundred metres ramp up to 6%.
Stage 12: Aurillac – Villeneveu-sur-Lot (204km)
The stage from Aurillac to Villeneveu-sur-Lot starts with some climbing, but after 90 kilometres the stage is fairly flat. Most if not all the sprinters will still be in the peloton, although a break will have gone up the road. The rest of the stage is not flat, but there are no real climbs. For a flat stage, the sprinters will have to suffer in the first half, which will blunt their finishing speed. The Côte de Saint-Mamet-la-Selvetat (3.6km at 3.9%) is the first climb, then after 10 kilometres of mixed roads, there is the Côte de Saint-Médard-de-Presque (4.2km at 5.3%). More rolling roads take the race to the Côte de Rocamadour (2.1km at 5.5%) and the Côte de Couzou (1.7km at 6.3%).
Stage 12 profile
After those climbs the sprinters can be brought back to the bunch (they hope). The route is not flat to the finish, but the hard bit if behind them. There could be a bunch sprint, but 2 kilometres out there is a short ramp of 3%, before 5 flat kilometres to the finish in Villeneveu-sur-Lot.
Friday July 12, Stage 13: Agen – Pau (171km)
The Tour now hears towards the Pyrenees. There are several hills in the last 50 kilometres that will put the sprinters in trouble, but should give the ‘puncheurs’ a chance to escape. There are two categorised climbs:. The Cat.4 Côte de Blachon (1.8km at 5.5%) and the Côte de Simacourbe (2.5km at 5.2%). There are then rolling roads before the descent to Pau. The final will be fast, but will there be any sprinters at the front?
A day for ‘puncheurs’
Stage 14: Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet (152km)
On day fourteen the peloton will be back in the high mountains. The Pyrenees will rule the stage from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan: The Pla d’Adet will see the action in the final part of the stage. The Tourmalet and the Hourquette d’Ancizan will deal the body-blows.
Stage 14 profile and Strava map
The fourteenth stage starts with 70 flat kilometres, but from then on it will be torture for the non-climbers. The monstrous Col du Tourmalet (19km at 7.4%) is followed by the Hourquette d’Ancizan (8.2km at 5.1%), summited with 30 kilometres to go. There is no rest after the descent as the last 10.6 kilometres climb at nearly 8%. The Pla d’Adet (10.6km at 7.9%) has steep ramps of over 10% in the first 7 kilometres. The road flattens for a kilometre, but the final part of the climb is at nearly 9%. The GC battle should be full on.
There should be fireworks on the climb of Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet – Nibali in 2014
Stage 15: Loudenvielle – Plateau de Beille (198km)
On the big French holiday of the 14th of July, the Tour races over 198 kilometres from Loudenvielle to the top of Plateau de Beille. There are five categorised climbs with a total of more than 5,000 metres of climbing. The Col de Peyresourde (6.9km at 7.8%) comes straight after the start, then the Col de Menté (9.3km at 9.1%) and Col de Portet-d’Aspet (4,3km at 9.7%) follow. After those steep challenges there are about 60 kilometres of easier road.
The second half of this stage has the Col d’Agnes (10km at 8.2%) and the final climb to Plateau de Beille (15.8km at 7.9%). There are almost 16 kilometres of climbing to the finish at an average of almost 8%. As this is the eve of the second rest day, you can expect riders to give it everything and of course the French will want a home winner on Bastille Day.
Monday 15 July – Rest Day No.2 – Gruissan
Rest day two in Gruissan
Tuesday July 16, Stage 16: Gruissan – Nimes (187km)
The tough final week of the Tour de France opens in stage sixteen with a flat stage from Gruissan to Nîmes. In 187 kilometres the riders race from the Pyrenees to the Alps without visiting the mountain ranges. The remaining sprinters must seize their very last chance here, because this year there will be no sprint on the final day in Paris. The entire ride is flat to rolling, with the only obstacle being halfway along the course. The riders then have to cross the Côte de Mas Cordon. The 7 kilometre climb at 3.4% is the most difficult climb of the day. A sprint therefore seems the most likely scenario in Nîmes, but one never knows whether the Mistral has other plans.
Last chance for the sprinters – No Champs-Élysées in 2024
Stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Superdévoluy (178km)
The stage starts with a run-up of 130 kilometres that climbs 800 metres. The stage then passes the start ton of stage 18, Gap, but today this is when the action will get going. After a short descent, there are three monsters to climb in the last 40 kilometres.
Stage 17 profile
The Col Bayard (6.8km at 7.3%) should sort out who is going to be in the front group. Next is the Col du Noyer (7.5km at 8.4%), which is the longest and steepest climb of the day. Whom so ever is left either in a break or with the GC favourites will have to have their best climbing legs. The summit finish on the Côte de Superdévoluy (3.9km at 5.9%) could decide the Tour. This tough new climb has a final 4 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.9%.
A hard finale to Superdévoluy
Stage 18: Gap – Barcelonnette (179km)
Stage 18 from Gap to Barcelonnette is 179 kilometres long and includes six various climbs. After 15 kilometres there is the Col du Festre (13.8km at 4.3%). A break can make the use of this climb to make their escape. A descent takes the riders to the Côte de Corps (3.3km at 4.5%) followed by the Côte de Costes (2.6km at 6%).
Stage 18 profile
After 20 flat kilometres. the riders start the Col de Manse (6.3km at 3.7%) at the half-way point in the stage. Next up is the most difficult climb of the day: The Côte à Saint-Apollinaire (7.9km at 5.2%), this should cause the final selection amongst the GC contenders, anyone in trouble here is done. The Côte de Demoiselles Coiffées (6.4km at 3.8%) is the last categorised ascent of the day. From the top the riders still have 40 kilometres to go. A descent and a short climb of 2 kilometres brings the riders to a false flat. The last 8 kilometres are flat.
Friday May 19, Stage 19: Embrun – Isola 2000 (145km)
Stage 19 starts in Embrun then crosses two Alpine giants to finish on the climb to Isola 2000. This short stage of 145 kilometres has 4,500 metres of elevation. From Embrun, the road is undulating to the base of the Col de Vars (18.8km at 5.7%). A descent takes the race to the Cime de la Bonette (22.9km at 6.9%), the top of the Tour. The Cime de la Bonette is an extension of the Col de la Bonette. It is a circular route from the col, that takes you to the height of 2,802 metres.
Stage 19 to Isola 2000
They claim this is the highest altitudes via asphalted roads in Europe. A total of 24 hairpin bends bring you to the summit, but there is still the road to Isola 2000 come. From the top of the Cime de la Bonette, there is a descent of 40 kilometres to the start of the final climb. The Isola 2000 (16.1km at 7.1%) rises at an average of just over 7%. In the first 8 kilometres, the gradient is above 8% most of the time. The climb then levels off to around 6%. The finish ramps up again to 8.5%.
Hopefully no snow on July
Stage 20: Nice – Col de la Couillole (133km)
From Place Masséna, in the heart of Nice, stage 20 goes in-land for 4,700 metres of climbing. After fifteen kilometres there is the Col de Braus (10km at 6.6%). This is just a warm-up for the rest of the stage. A descent of 10 kilometres brings the riders to the start of the very hard Col de Turini (20.7km at 5.7%).
Stage 20 profile
A fast descent leads to Roquebillière and the next climb; the Col de La Colmiane (7.5km at 7.1%). The climb actually starts from Roquebillière and is more like 20 kilometres at 5%, but ASO does think the first 13 kilometres are steep enough to be counted. After this climb, the riders still have one last climb. A descent of 20 kilometres to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée takes the route to the final climb. The Col de la Couillole (15.7km at 7.1%) is long, although not too steep, but it never flattens out. The last summit finish of the 2024 Tour could be decisive, or will the GC men be thinking of the final TT?
What will we see on the final summit finish?
Stage 21: Monaco – Nice (34km, ITT)
The Tour winner with champagne, the top team and the jersey winners all posing for photos and then the final sprint on the Champs-Élysées, not this year in the Tour de France. In 2024 a time trial will close the French behemoth on the road between Monaco and Nice, all because the Olympic Games start a few days later in Paris.
Who will be in yellow for the final time trial and will he keep it?
There are two climbs on the final day time trial of 34 Kilometres. The first comes after 4 flat kilometres through the streets of Monaco. The riders climb to La Turbie (8.1km at 5.6%) on the D53. The climb is stead and not technical. From the top there is a short descent to the start of the Col d’Éze (1.6km at 8.1%), which is short and steep and the final climb of the 2024 Tour de France. From the summit, the route descends to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and the finish next to the Mediterranean. The route goes past the finish towards the airport for a U-turn that brings them back to the city centre. The finish line is on Avenue Jean Médecin on Place Masséna.
Tour de France 2024 Stages (June 29-July 21):
29/06 – Stage 1: Firenze/Florence – Rimini (205km)
30/06 – Stage 2: Cesenatico – Bologna (200km)
01/07 – Stage 3: Piacenza – Turin (229km)
02/07 – Stage 4: Pinerolo – Valloire (138 km)
03/07 – Stage 5: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Saint-Vulbas (177km)
04/07 – Stage 6: Mâcon – Dijon (163km)
05/07 – Stage 7: Gevrey-Chambertin – Nuits-Saint-Georges (25km, ITT)
06/07 – Stage 8: Semur-en-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises (176km)
07/07 – Stage 9: Troyes – Troyes (199km)
08/07 – Rest day in Orléans
09/07 – Stage 10: Orléans – Saint-Amand-Montrond (187km)
10/07 – Stage 11: Evaux-les-Bains – Le Lioran (211km)
11/07 – Stage 12: Aurillac – Villeneuve-sur-Lot (204km)
12/07 – Stage 13: Agen – Pau (171km)
13/07 – Stage 14: Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan/Pla d’Adet (152km)
14/07 – Stage 15: Loudenvielle – Plateau de Beille (198km)
15/07 – Rest day in Narbonne
16/07 – Stage 16: Gruissan – Nîmes (187km)
17/07 – Stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Super-Dévoluy (178km)
18/07 – Stage 18: Gap – Barcelonnette (179km)
19/07 – Stage 19: Embrun – Isola 2000 (145km)
20/07 – Stage 20: Nice – Col de la Couillole (132km)
21/07 – Stage 21: Monaco – Nice (35.2km, ITT).
*** Stay PEZ for the ‘Favourite Riders Preview’ and the daily Tour de France stage reports. ***
The Best Bits of 2023 Tour – We miss you GCN+
# Thanks to Pro Cycling Stats, WielerFlits and ASO for facts figures, maps and profiles. #
Like PEZ? Why not subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive updates and reminders on what’s cool in road cycling?
