It is finally the day long awaited by large bicycle enthusiasts each summer. The 112nd edition of the Tour de France starts from Lille on Saturday July 5, for three weeks of racing on the roads of France. The first day will take the peloton of 184 runners on a loop around Lille, with the first stage victory and the first yellow jersey online in sight.
Lille Théâtre du Grand Départ. After three major departures from abroad (Spain, Denmark and Italy), the Tour finds its French roots and the capital of Flanders. Lille welcomes the event of the event for the third time in the history of the Grande Boucle, after 1960 and 1994. On the lands of Paris-Roubaix and several French champions, the event promises a beautiful popular celebration.
A first step for sprinters. With a relatively flat course of 184.9 kilometers around the Lille metropolis, and only three difficulties listed, the first step and the first yellow jersey seem to be promised to sprinters. Tim Merlier (Sudal-Quick-Step), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), the three most prominent men in the exercise since the start of the year, are among the favorites to raise their arms on arrival.
Who to compete with Tadej Pogacar? The first step also marks the start of the duel for the final victory. Winner in 2024, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) appears to be a candidate for his own succession, after his beginning of 2025, of very high level. Its main competitor should once again be Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), winner of editions 2022 and 2023, but which arrives on the roads of France with less confidence.
