The 111th Tour de France commences on June 29th, with a historic start in Florence, Italy. The race covers 21 stages, culminating in Nice on July 21. Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and main contender Tadej Pogačar headline this year’s competition, broadcasting across NBC Sports, Peacock, and fuboTV.
Short Summary:
- Tour de France starts in Florence, Italy.
- Spans over 21 stages and ends in Nice due to the 2024 Olympics.
- Main competitors include Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar.
2024 Tour de France: An Overview
The 2024 Tour de France, set to begin on June 29th, marks significant firsts in its storied history. The race will not only start in Italy for the first time but also conclude outside Paris, in Nice, due to the upcoming Summer Olympics. Covering a grueling 2,000 miles over 21 stages, this year’s race pits defending champion Jonas Vingegaard against strong contenders like Tadej Pogačar.
Historic Route and Starting Point
For the initial time ever, the Grand Départ of the Tour de France will commence in Italy, as a tribute to Ottavio Bottecchia’s victory a century ago. The event kicks off with a challenging 206 km ride from Florence to Rimini, traversing the demanding hills and valleys of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, before heading to San Marino.
“It’s rare for the Tour de France to start with more than 3,600 meters of climbing — in fact it’s never happened before!” noted race director Christian Prudhomme. “The succession of hills in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna are likely to be the setting for an immediate and testing confrontation between the contenders.”
The Contenders
Jonas Vingegaard, two-time defending champion, is battling for a third consecutive win. However, his path will not be easy. Vingegaard sustained injuries in a crash earlier this year but has been confirmed fit to start. “He spent twelve days in the hospital after breaking several bones and suffering a punctured lung,” noted the team spokesperson. Tadej Pogačar, who won both the 2020 and 2021 titles, is also vying for the top spot, having just come off a dominant Giro d’Italia performance.
“I am in one of the best forms of my life,” Pogačar said. “The Giro victory has given me the momentum needed for this year’s Tour.”
Broadcasting and Viewing Options
NBC Sports holds the broadcast rights in the U.S. Most stages will be available for streaming via Peacock and fuboTV. Notably, stages 8, 14, and 20 will also be broadcast live on NBC, providing extensive coverage for cycling fans.
Tour de France 2024 Schedule
Here is a glimpse of the race stage schedule, featuring varying contest types such as hilly and flat stages, individual time trials, and mountain segments:
- June 29: Florence to Rimini (Italy) – 128 miles (hilly stage)
- June 30: Cesenatico to Bologna (Italy) – 120 miles (hilly stage)
- July 1: Piacenza to Turin (Italy) – 142 miles (flat stage)
- July 2: Pinerolo (Italy) to Valloire (France) – 86 miles (mountain stage)
- July 3: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas – 110 miles (flat stage)
- July 4: Mâcon to Dijon – 101 miles (flat stage)
- July 5: Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin – 16 miles (individual time trial)
- July 6: Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises – 109 miles (flat stage)
- July 7: Troyes to Troyes – 124 miles (hilly stage)
- July 9: Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond – 116 miles (flat stage)
- July 10: Évaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran – 131 miles (mountain stage)
- July 12: Agen to Pau – 106 miles (flat stage)
- July 13: Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan – 94 miles (mountain stage)
- July 14: Loudenvielle to Plateau de Beille – 123 miles (mountain stage)
- July 16: Gruissan to Nîmes – 116 miles (flat stage)
- July 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to SuperDévoluy – 111 miles (mountain stage)
- July 18: Gap to Barcelonnette – 111 miles (hilly stage)
- July 19: Embrun to Isola 2000 – 90 miles (mountain stage)
- July 20: Nice to Col de la Couillole – 83 miles (mountain stage)
- July 21: Monaco to Nice – 21 miles (individual time trial)
Race Favorites and Odds
Betting odds signify an exciting battle between top prospects for the 2024 Tour de France. BetMGM has Pogačar slightly favored at -165, followed closely by Jonas Vingegaard at +200. Completing the top contenders are Primož Roglič (+800), Remco Evenepoel (+1400), and Juan Ayuso (+3300).
Here is a breakdown of some favored riders:
- Tadej Pogačar (-165): The Slovenian prodigy eyes his third Tour victory after back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021.
- Jonas Vingegaard (+200): The defending champion aims to cap off a third consecutive triumph, following victories in 2022 and 2023.
- Primož Roglič (+800): A seasoned veteran who remains a formidable force in the peloton.
- Remco Evenepoel (+1400): The young Belgian star is looking to make a significant impact after recent successes.
- Juan Ayuso (+3300): A rising star from Spain, aiming to upset the established favorites.
Notable Stages and Highlights
While each stage brings its own unique challenges, certain key stages stand out for the intense competition they are expected to provoke:
- Stage 1: Florence to Rimini: This arduous starting stage, with over 3,600 meters of climbs, will be a battle right from the outset.
- Stage 4: Pinerolo to Valloire: Will feature the 2,642m Col du Galibier, testing riders early on.
- Stage 13-14: This will be a punishing weekend through the Pyrenees, likely determining early leaders.
- Final Weekend: Stage 20 and Stage 21’s individual time trials will close the competition in a race against the clock, adding a thrilling climax to the race.
Historic Finish and Grand Finale
The 2024 Tour will have a historic finish in Nice, replacing its usual Parisian finale. With the last stage being an individual time trial, fans can anticipate a gripping conclusion reminiscent of 1989.
“This is an unprecedented finale,” noted Pogačar. “Every second will count, making it one of the most thrilling ends to a Tour.”
Stage Highlights
The challenges the riders will face in the final stages are beyond daunting, with high-altitude climbs and rigorous time trials:
- Stage 19: Features climbs of up to 2,000 meters including the iconic Cime de la Bonette.
- Stage 20: The penultimate mountain stage from Nice to Col de la Couillole.
- Stage 21: The tour concludes with a decisive individual time trial from Monaco to Nice.
For those following at home, watching live will be as exciting as ever. While NBC’s Peacock platform provides most of the live stages, traditional TV coverage will be available for select important stages. Cycling fans worldwide are in for a memorable race, eagerly awaiting to see who will capture the coveted maillot jaune at the Tour’s dramatic conclusion in Nice.
How to Watch
Your primary options to catch all the action in the United States include streaming the race live on Peacock, fuboTV, and select broadcasts on NBC:
- Multiple devices such as Roku, Apple devices, Android, and smart TVs support the Peacock app.
- Traditional cable users can tune in via the USA Network and CNBC, with early morning coverage starting around 7 a.m. EDT.
Conclusion
The 2024 Tour de France promises to be a race for the ages. With both seasoned champions and rising stars vying for supremacy, coupled with a historic route that honors the Tour’s rich history, this year’s event will undoubtedly captivate cycling enthusiasts worldwide. Make sure to tune in and follow every twist and turn of this prestigious race.
“We are excited about the diverse stages and intense competition,” said Prudhomme. “This year’s Tour will be unforgettable.”