The Tour de France starts in Italy with a hill stage

Tour de France Kicks Off in FlorenceTour de France Kicks Off in Florence History is made as the prestigious Tour de France embarks on its first-ever start in Italy. On the stroke of noon, Florence becomes the launchpad for this year’s race, with Tour director Christian Prudhomme officially waving the green flag around 12:40 after a ceremonial lap through the heart of Tuscany. Tadej Pogacar, the reigning champion and Giro d’Italia victor, is the rider to watch. However, Jonas Vingegaard, the previous two-time Tour winner, faces an uphill battle after a lengthy recovery from a serious crash. Other contenders include Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel. The opening stage promises a grueling test with seven classified climbs along the 206-kilometer route from Florence to Rimini. The final 25 kilometers offer some respite as the peloton descends towards the Adriatic coast. The stage is expected to conclude around 5:45 PM, with the victor donning the coveted yellow jersey.

For the first time, the Tour de France will start in Italy. At 12:00, the riders will get on their bikes in Florence, after which Tour director Christian Prudhomme will give the official starting signal around 12:40 after a lap through the center of the Tuscan city.

The man to beat is Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian from UAE Team Emirates who also won the Giro d’Italia this year. The Dane Jonas Vingegaard, winner of the last two editions of the Tour, returns after a long recovery period. The question is to what extent the leader of Visma – Lease a Bike will reach his usual level after his heavy fall in the Tour of the Basque Country. Other contenders are the Slovenian Primoz Roglic and the Belgian Remco Evenepoel.

The first stage can rightly be called a hilly stage with no fewer than seven classified climbs in the 206 kilometers between Florence and Rimini. In the last 25 kilometers the stage goes slightly downhill towards the Adriatic coast. The finish is expected there around 5:45 PM, after which the stage winner will receive the first yellow jersey.

Source: ANP