“71 kilometres of time trials may not be enough” - Contador questions the competitive balance of the 2027 Tour de France
Cycling
The route for the 2027 Tour de France has caught Alberto Contador’s attention because of the prominent role time-trial specialists will play. The French race will feature 71 kilometres of individual time trials, a total not seen for 15 years that could shape the battle for the general classification.
The former Spanish rider believes this emphasis could benefit riders such as Remco Evenepoel. However, he is unsure whether the time they can gain in the time trials will be enough to offset losses in the mountains to Tadej Pogacar. In his view, the route offers opportunities for very different rider profiles.
Contador has also assessed the main mountain challenges in the next edition, focusing in particular on the Pyrenees and a queen stage that finishes on the Col de Portet after two demanding climbs. He does not consider it one of the toughest editions in recent years, but he has highlighted several stages that could prove decisive.
'El Pistolero' has also turned his attention to the leading contenders, with Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz and Jonas Vingegaard among the riders to watch. The Dane will aim to take a step forward after a season disrupted by a crash, while the German will have another chance to confirm his progress.

Tadej Pogacar won the 2026 Tour de France
Can the mountains offset 71 kilometres of time trials?
“The 2027 Tour de France route is giving time-trial specialists a nod,” Alberto Contador said in his assessment for Eurosport. He noted that the planned 71 kilometres represent a major commitment to the discipline. The French race has not included such a long time-trial distance since 2012.
However, Contador believes that distance may not be enough to balance out the gaps created in the mountains. “I consider a long time trial to be 50 kilometres, as they used to be until a few years ago and were common,” he said, adding that the route will try to balance both types of terrain.
The Spaniard admitted that the mountains do not look especially demanding compared with those in recent editions. Even so, he singled out stage nine, featuring the Grand Colombier, as well as stages 10 and 11, which will gradually toughen the route before the major Pyrenean challenges.
The queen stage stands out in that mountain block. It finishes on the Col de Portet after the riders tackle the Tourmalet and Hourquette d'Ancizan. Contador believes these climbs could create significant gaps and force time-trial specialists to defend their advantages against the climbers.
Evenepoel, Lipowitz and Vingegaard among the main contenders
Despite his reservations about the balance between the mountains and the time trials, Contador believes the route offers variety and promises an exciting race. On paper, Remco Evenepoel stands to benefit most. The Spaniard also highlighted Florian Lipowitz, third in the recent World Championship time trial, as a rider to watch as he continues to gain experience.
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Jonas Vingegaard will be another key name in the race. The Dane will aim to take another step forward after a season disrupted by a crash that derailed his plans. His performance in the mountain stages will be crucial in showing how well he can make up for the time specialists gain in the individual time trials.
Contador gave the route a positive assessment for Eurosport, although he believes the time-trial kilometres may not be enough to balance the scales. Decisive stages in the Pyrenees, a lengthy time trial and a range of rider profiles among the main contenders point to a more open race than in previous editions.

Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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