The redesigned route for the final stage of the Tour de France has ignited debate,drawing criticism from prominent figures in the cycling world. Announced by organizers ASO, the 2025 route introduces notable changes to the customary Champs-Élysées finish, including three ascents of the Côte de la Butte Montmartre.

Van Aert Voices Safety Concerns

Wout van Aert, a former victor on the Champs-Élysées in 2021, has expressed strong reservations about the new course. He believes the addition of the Montmartre climbs, reminiscent of the Paris Olympic Games road race, introduces unnecessary danger to what is typically a ceremonial stage.

Despite acknowledging that the Classics-style route could favor riders like himself, Van Aert anticipates potential chaos due to the larger peloton size compared to the Olympic race. I’m not really a fan of it. I think it’s going to be a hazardous stage, Van Aert stated, speaking at the Giro d’Italia. He elaborated on his concerns:

The course is obviously something that suits me, especially when that last climb is 6km from the finish. That opens up perspectives for classic riders like me.But it ignores the fact that we arrived there during the Games with a peloton of 50 riders and now with an entire Tour peloton, where many classification riders still have something to defend. I expect chaos, I think it’s a shame that we’re going to seek that out.

Wout van Aert, Visma-Lease a Bike

Van aert emphasized that safety should be paramount, especially considering the increased focus on rider welfare in recent years.I understand that the organisation thoght ‘That looks cool, we should try to use that,’ he said. But in recent years,safety has increasingly become an issue,and this choice for Montmartre ignores this.

Philipsen Laments Loss of Sprinter’s Stage

Jasper Philipsen, who secured a sprint victory on the Champs-Élysées in 2022, shares a similar sentiment. He views the route change as a setback for sprinters, diminishing thier chances of success on the final stage.

As a sprinter, it’s clearly a shame to see this stage change. It had become a magnificent tradition, Philipsen remarked.He acknowledged that the altered course would present a greater challenge for sprinters, but remained optimistic: The stage will become significantly more demanding for the sprinters, simply because there will be more riders capable of winning it. but that doesn’t mean that a sprinter can no longer win it.

While less focused on safety concerns, Philipsen highlighted the potential for increased tension within the peloton, notably if the general classification remains tightly contested. An important factor going into this final stage will be the classification and the time gaps between the overall contenders. If everything stays close, the stress level in the peloton will definitely increase, especially as we approach Montmartre, he explained.

He further noted the increased incentive for overall contenders to fight for position on the final stage: None of the overall contenders will want to lose even a second, as the stage offers a final possibility to move up the top 10 and gain valuable seconds. In previous years,the overall teams could just enjoy a more relaxed day,but now they’ll have to stay fully focused until the end. once again,this will change the overall tension in the peloton.

Prudhomme Defends the Route

Tour de France race director Christian prudhomme has defended the decision to modify the final stage, emphasizing the desire to create a more memorable spectacle. He drew parallels to the initial skepticism surrounding the inclusion of the Tourmalet, now an iconic climb, as justification for taking risks to enhance the race’s legacy.

It was obvious to us that we wanted to do something big for the 50th anniversary of the first arrival on the Champs-Elysées, Prudhomme stated. He believes the changes will elevate the Tour’s prestige globally and contribute to its enduring legend.

this will further increase the prestige of the Tour all over the world. It will allow cycling to further build its legend.When Henri Desgrange (the driving force behind the first Tour – Ed.) first included the Tourmalet and the Pyrenees in the route in 1910, not everyone was thrilled. Now they are part of the legend of the Tour. We must continue to build on that legend.

Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France Race Director

Prudhomme’s vision includes a return to the “glorious uncertainty of the sport,” reminiscent of Bernard Hinault’s victories in Paris while wearing the yellow jersey. While acknowledging this as “a crazy dream,” it underscores the ambition behind the route changes.

The Future of the Final Stage

While the inclusion of Rue Lepic and Montmartre is confirmed for 2025, their long-term presence in the Tour de France remains uncertain.Though,Prudhomme’s commitment to building the race’s legend suggests that similar bold choices might potentially be considered in the future.