Mark Cavendish expressed his surprise and concern about the 2024 Tour de France route, which he believes is one of the most challenging he’s ever encountered.
The Manxman, eager to secure his 35th stage victory, was taken aback by the route’s severity.
During the three-week race, race organizer ASO has outlined eight flat stages, four hilly stages, seven mountain stages, and two time trials. However, sprint opportunities are limited, given the numerous mountainous sections and the demanding nature of the route. It appears that some stages may favor strong breakaways, while the overall contenders are expected to dominate on others, with mid-stage time bonuses adding an extra dimension to the competition.
Cavendish highlighted the first sprint chance on stage 3 in Turin, where he could potentially set a new stage win record. While there are other sprint opportunities on stages 5 and 6, stage 9 presents challenges with 14 gravel sectors, and stages 10 and 16 could see disruptions due to echelons. Stage 12 to Pau is also filled with climbs that will test the sprinters.
The mountain stages, particularly those in the Alps during the final week, are expected to be grueling for sprinters and their lead-out teams, as they must struggle to stay within the daily time limit.
Cavendish acknowledged the few sprint opportunities but emphasized the difficulty of reaching them, noting that Turin may offer a chance for sprinters. Overall, he described this Tour de France course as one of the toughest he’s ever seen.
Despite the challenging route, Cavendish, who recovered from a crash in the 2023 Tour de France, is determined to compete in 2024. He initially announced his retirement but was inspired to continue racing after showcasing his sprinting form.
Cavendish has spent time training in central Tuscany and looks forward to the Grand Depart in Florence. The opening stage to Rimini, however, includes a grueling 3,600 meters of altitude over the Apennines, posing a significant challenge to Cavendish and other sprinters.
In preparation for the 2024 season, Astana has strengthened its lead-out train with experienced riders like Michael Mørkøv, Davide Ballerini, Max Kanter, and Rüdiger Selig joining the team. Cavendish expressed optimism about the team’s preparations for the upcoming season.
Cavendish’s 2023 season will conclude with Tour de France criteriums in Singapore and Saitama, Japan.
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