What changes the triple ascent of Montmartre before the final arrival in Paris?

For the first time in history, the Tour de France will climb the Butte Montmartre three times, before the final arrival on the Champs-Elysées on Sunday.

For its reunion with Paris, the Grande Boucle saw things big. A year after the final arrival relocated to Nice due to the Paris Olympic Games, the Tour de France finds the capital for its traditional stage of the Champs-Elysées. A legendary finish line that celebrates its 50th anniversary and, for the occasion, the organization has decided to innovate by integrating the Montmartre hill at the final circuit, as during the 2024 Olympic Games. The peloton will thus climb the Lepic street three times to the Sacré-Coeur, before the ultimate sprint of this 112nd edition.

“We were not insensitive to game images. They broke the barriers, to have these authorizations to go to Montmartre, so we took this opportunitysays Thierry Gouvenou, race director of the Tour de France. After 50 years of arrivals on the Champs-Elysées, it brings unexpected. Like all novelty, we don't really know what it will give, but it should open the possibilities to more runners than to pure sprinters, who will be destabilized, for those who will not explode in Montmartre … “

Thought to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Champs-Elysées while reviving the memory of the Paris Olympic Games, a year later, this unprecedented arrival divides the peloton. Climbed three times, the Montmartre hill will be the 68th and last classified ascent (4th category) of the Tour. If it should not weigh heavily in the mountain ranking, rue Lepic – whose summit will be six kilometers from the final arrival – certainly buried the ambitions of pure sprinters.

Current green jersey of the big loop, the Italian Jonathan Milan regretted it in May: “The Champs-Élysées, as an sprinter, is something we dream of, it's a shame to see the modified course”. And the arrows of the peloton are far from being the only runners to think like this. Winner of the Olympic race in the summer of 2024, Remco Evenepoel was also positioned against the ascent of Montmartre, like his compatriot Wout Van Aert, however advantaged by this new final circuit, but “Not really a fan” Idea.

“It will be a dangerous step. At the Olympic Games, we had arrived with a peloton of 50 runners while there, it will be with the whole peloton of the Tour where many runners in the general classification will have things to defend. I expect chaos.”

Wout Van Aert, Consees The Jonas Vinggaar

Eager to reduce the number of sprints on the route, the organization of the Tour did not take into account these returns. “We wanted to restore room to backpackers and sneakers. Montmartre, it was the icing on the cake. It fell in the spring. It is a way to rebalance the tower”, Assumes Thierry Gouvenou. “I spoke with a lot of runners, most of them regret this choice, and find that there was enough to fight for three weeks”adds Yoann Offedo, consultant for France.TV.

Accustomed to parading in the streets of Paris, before the final packaging on the Champs-Elysées for the most beautiful sprint in the world, the peloton will review its habits with this triple ascent which puts sports uncertainty on the last day of the Tour. “The arrival in Paris is traditionally a parade, everyone is driving quiet, savoring, drinks a cup of champagne or other. It was an opportunity for runners to celebrate, to enjoy. At one time, some even took their children on the handlebars. It was a party anchored in the culture of the cycling runner who finished the Tour de Francetestifies Yoann Offedo. There, the leaders of the general classification will have to remain vigilant until the end. “

From May, Jonas Vingegaard, second of the general, did not hide his disapproval: “Montmartre seemed to me very beautiful at the Olympic Games, with a very good atmosphere. But when the runners got there, there were 50 in the peloton. There, we will be 150 (161 precisely) to fight to position yourself, on a very narrow climb. It will add stress, more than you want “. An argument swept by Thierry Gouvenou: “I do not believe that the yellow jersey will be worried by this stage. It remains a 4th category coast. The only difference is that the yellow jersey will not drink champagne in the Meudon forest before.”

“There are the reactions of the moment and those according to the stage. Montmartre will make the Tour de France and its champions radiate. Which is good for the Tour de France is good for the champions of the Tour”added Christian Prudhomme in May, the day of the formalization of the addition of the Butte Montmartre to the route.“It is an arrival that will please, we saw it at the Olympic Games. I had goosebumps in front of my television, and that is invaluable. Those who criticize the change forget that we must please the public and it will be an exciting step“, Rejoices Jean-René Bernaudeau, boss of the Totalenergies team.

It remains to be seen whether the peloton will go completely. “This is the last stage of the Tour, so the runners will choose if they race, or not”wonders Marc Madiot. On the side of the Decathlon-AG2R team, sports director Sébastien Joly does not leave doubt: “Montmartre changes our entire approach to the last step. We will be fully. Paris, it will not be relaxed this year, there will be racing to the end, especially with Bastien Tronchon.”

“Many teams have not yet won on this Tour, and Montmartre will be a great opportunity to do so in Paris. We will do everything for.”

Sébastien Joly, Decathlon-Ag2R sports director

In Franceinfo: Sport

Responsible for doing the after-sales service of this novelty, Christian Prudhomme is not worried: “Montmartre necessarily changes a lot. It will allow us to bring back the glorious uncertainty of sport”. The director of the Tour de France even dreams of seeing the yellow jersey win on the Champs Elysées, which only Bernard Hinault succeeded, in 1979. “Montmartre, apart from sporting performance, is the strongest image of the Paris Games. Montmartre will make the turn and its champions radiate”he assures.

As for whether this triple ascent of rue Lepic will be renewed the following year, and perpetuated in the Parisian final circuit, Christian Prudhomme opens the door: “We will see what it will give. Sometimes there is a provisional that lasts, it was true for the arrival on the fields in 1975, or for the U-turn on the square of the star …”. What Laurent Nunez, the Paris police prefect, who authorized this triple passage by Montmartre, is well aware: “We are not fooled at the police headquarters: if this stage is done this year, it will probably take place in other years”. Until we innovate to celebrate 50 years in 2075.