Homework for the sprinters: the finish in Paris is (slightly) further than usual | Tour

In every bunch sprint, the role of the lead-out is crucial and that is perhaps even more the case in Paris.

Every cycling fan is already salivating when he thinks of the TV images that are shot from the flanks of the sprinting riders on the Champs-Elysées.

Anyone who analyzes the sprints of recent years knows that positioning is crucial when rounding the last corner at the Place de la Concorde towards the last straight line.

The past shows that a top sprinter there usually has enough of one ultimate pacemaker.

If, for example, Michael Mørkøv can cut that corner first with Mark Cavendish in his wheel, then the Brit’s sandwich is more or less baked.

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But the cards seem to be different this year. The road book points to a last straight line of 700 meters.

Due to work, the finish has moved a bit more towards the Arc de Triomphe and is a little further away from that last corner. It is an extension of about 300 meters.

As far as the sprint preparation is concerned, this means that a train – in an ideal world – will have to have an extra wagon when turning the last 700 meters.

If, say, Jasper Philipsen can only count on Jonas Rickaert there, then the pole position threatens to become a poisoned gift.

A sprinter who takes the lead too early will be overrun on the sloping cobblestones. Those who would normally have sat just a little too far may get a second seat.

In the peloton they are of course aware of the shift, but those who have not yet learned their lesson will have enough time during the 8 local laps to do their homework at the last minute. The last exam will then take place around 7:15 PM.

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Check out how Deceuninck-Quick Step did almost flawlessly for Sam Bennett last year