For its fifth edition, the race will experience its second departure from abroad.
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“What could be more legitimate for the Olympic capital (Lausanne), than to associate with Aigle, capital of world cycling, and in Geneva, diplomatic capital of Europe, to make Lake Geneva the ideal setting for the Grand Departure 2026?”. The organizers of the Tour de France women announced, Thursday, June 5, that the race would start again from abroad next year. Two years after a departure from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the peloton will leave from Lausanne in Switzerland.
The capital of the canton of Vaud is a regular on the Tour de France male. It was the city-stage 11 times, including the last time in 2022. Wout Van Aert won there on a drawn route to the Punchers. The road will be different for the female peloton, but Marion Rousse promises a “Elbad-to-comet” Between favorites in the last difficulty, a final coast of 2.3 kilometers to 5.4%.
The second step will link Aigle to Geneva, with a passage in particular in front of the headquarters of the International Cycling Union, and should allow the sprinters to express themselves. But the suspense is kept with regard to the third step. In its press release, ASO only gives the departure city, Geneva. A mountain stage could take place from this third day of racing, which would be a first for the Tour de France women, which had become used to reserving the altitude for dessert.
