Who to succeed Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers)? As the 47th edition of the Tour des Alpes begins this Monday, the cycling race promises to be very open.
The five stages planned for April 15 to 19 will, as usual, give pride of place to climbers. The various first category passes are proof of this. However, the 2024 version of the Tour des Alpes has one new feature: no arrival will be at the summit. Candidates for final victory must therefore be good descenders.
Among the runners with chances of winning, the Australian Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R LA Mondiale) appears well armed. For example, he won the Tour of Murcia at the start of the season. For his part, the Tricolore Romain Bardet, winner in 2022, will be well aligned at the start. Among the other contenders for victory, it is possible to cite Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious), Chris Harper (Jayco-AlUla) or even Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers).
A journey that will gain momentum
If the first stage, 133 km long between Egna and Cortina, will normally be like an appetizer with the ascent of the Andalo pass (15 km at 5.1%), the increase in power will be observed from the second stage, this Tuesday. The runners will then set off for more than 190 km between Salorno and Stans.
The third stage, which will begin and end in Schwaz, will be marked by the presence of two passes of more than 9% to cross: the Weerberg and the Pillberg. Then on Thursday it’s time for the queen stage, where the riders will set off from Laives to reach Borgo Valsugana. This stage will include 4,000m of elevation gain. Finally, the Tour of the Alps will conclude with a departure and arrival in Levico Terme, Italy.
The 47th edition of the Tour des Alpes 2024 will be followed live on the channels of La Chaîne L’Équipe and Eurosport.
First stage this Monday April 15: Neumarkt/Egna – Kurtinig/Cortina (133.3 km)
– Eurosport 1 live at 1:30 p.m.
– La Chaine L’Equipe live at 1:40 p.m.
Second stage (Tuesday April 16): Salurn/Salorno – Stans (190.7 km)
– Eurosport 1 live at 1:30 p.m.
– La Chaine L’Equipe live at 1:35 p.m.
Third stage (Wednesday April 17): Schwaz – Schwaz (124.8 km)
– Eurosport 1 live at 10:45 a.m.
– La Chaine L’Equipe live at 12:35 p.m.
Fourth stage (Thursday April 18): Leifer/Laives – Borgo Valsugana (141.3 km)
– Eurosport 1 live at 1:30 p.m.
– La Chaine L’Equipe live at 1:35 p.m.
Fifth stage (Friday April 19): Levico Terme – Levico Terme (118.6 km)
– Eurosport 1 live at 1:30 p.m.
– The L’Equipe Channel: to be defined
