03:30France: 2019 Tour de France map 'highest' ever
Tour de France officials announced that next year's route would start in Brussels and will end in the French Alps, speaking at a presentation ceremony in Paris on Thursday. This would make the 2019 Tour de France route pass through a terrain of unprecedented height, reports say.
Christian Prudhomme, CEO of Tour de France, said that the route will take place across 3460 km (2149 miles). "Our desire is not to harden but to vary the course. If the tour goes very high in this year of the centenary of the yellow jersey, there will be less riding on out of category passes than in recent years," said he.
"The idea of a great departure in Brussels quickly made its way into our minds. Brussels, capital of Belgium; Brussels, European capital; Brussels, Eddy Merckx's hometown," he added.
"The centenary year of the yellow jersey, it was necessary to depart from this city of which the most beautiful symbol is Eddy, who wore the jersey longer than anyone else, over 111 steps or half-steps. All is said. It was obvious," concluded Prudhomme.
03:30maximum 5 minutes content allowed / maximum 90 seconds race footage included in presentation / maximum one run every 30 minutes / no social media / no archiving / no access japan / must be removed after 26th october 10:45 gmt
Tour de France officials announced that next year's route would start in Brussels and will end in the French Alps, speaking at a presentation ceremony in Paris on Thursday. This would make the 2019 Tour de France route pass through a terrain of unprecedented height, reports say.
Christian Prudhomme, CEO of Tour de France, said that the route will take place across 3460 km (2149 miles). "Our desire is not to harden but to vary the course. If the tour goes very high in this year of the centenary of the yellow jersey, there will be less riding on out of category passes than in recent years," said he.
"The idea of a great departure in Brussels quickly made its way into our minds. Brussels, capital of Belgium; Brussels, European capital; Brussels, Eddy Merckx's hometown," he added.
"The centenary year of the yellow jersey, it was necessary to depart from this city of which the most beautiful symbol is Eddy, who wore the jersey longer than anyone else, over 111 steps or half-steps. All is said. It was obvious," concluded Prudhomme.