BRADLEY WIGGINS FACES a tough defence of his Tour de France title in 2013 after organisers unveiled one of the most punishing routes in race history today.
The Olympic road time trial gold medallist will have to negotiate four summit finishes including a gruelling stage 18 when the peloton must ride up the punishing Alpe d’Huez climb twice just four days before the Champs Elysees finish on 21 July.
The route also features three consecutive mountain stages during the final week including the penultimate stage — also for the first time in Tour history.
“It is what it is, you know. It’s the same for everybody and you’ve just got to do it, but it’s going be a tough day for sure,” Wiggins said in reference to the double ascent of Alpe d’Huez.
“I haven’t seen the race in a lot of detail but I saw Ventoux and a couple of time-trials but it’s a lot to take in in 20 minutes and I’m not used to looking at it in October.”
After what Wiggins described as a challenging first week where mishaps are a distinct possibility, the peloton hits the mountains for the first time on stage 8 with two beyond category slogs including the summit finish over 7.8 km to Ax-3-Domaines. Time-trials have been cut by a third in 2013 which will also work against the Englishman and may play into the hands of former champions Cadel Evans of Australia and Spaniard Alberto Contador who is returning to the race after a one-year absence for doping.
“I hope to be back to my top form and coming here today I feel much more comfortable with this course,” said Evans, who won the Tour in 2011.
“It’s nice and mixed with plenty of variety and I just need to get back to top health for next July. It’s nice to come here and talk about racing after all that’s happened lately.”
There are 28 climbs over 20 stages but the final three mountain stages in the Alps are sure to prove decisive, while the legendary Mont Ventoux ascent comes into play on stage 15 which will add to the fatigue.
Following the Alpe d’Huez punishment, there are five medium but difficult climbs the following day on the way to Le Grand Bornand and it will be crucial for the yellow jersey contenders to conserve energy for the penultimate stage.
Mark Cavendish at today’s presentation. Christophe Ena/AP/Press Association Images
“It’s always fun to be in the lead group at Alpe d’Huez. For the crowd to be there and go up there twice, it’s going to be a great experience,” Evans said. The 20th stage has traditionally been an individual time-trial but organisers threw in a twist for this year’s race with a mountain top finish at Semnoz over 10.7km where the final attacks will take place.
Whoever is leading at the peak on Saturday evening can look forward to what is usually a processional ride into Paris where the finish is expected at the surprise hour of 9pm local time after taking in the Arc de Triomphe for the first time at the top of the usual finish on the Champs Elysees.
