Etape 9 / Stage 9 - #TDF2024 🚩 @VilledeTroyes - @VilledeTroyes 🏁 199 km 🤩 14 sectors of white roads, 32 km in total onto the gravel and into the dust. 🤩14 secteurs de chemins blancs pour un total de 32 km dans la poussière et les cailloux.
"I am not in favour of that, because the luck factor is greatly involved" - Richard Plugge laments appearance of gravel in 2024 Tour de France route
CyclingWednesday, 25 October 2023 at 16:30
The profiles and routes of the 2024 Tour de France have been revealed and an interesting, exciting race looks assured. Jumbo-Visma boss Richard Plugge has given some reaction and despite being mostly pleased, there is one standout concern.
"It is a beautiful course, but with a small blemish," Plugge says to the global press immediately following the presentation, in quotes collected by In de Leiderstrui. "And that is the 32 kilometres of gravel. I am not in favour of that, because the luck factor is greatly involved. Why do you have to go looking for gravel again?"
The potential damage that stage 9 around Troyes could do may possibly outweigh many of the mountain challenges and that is what concerns Plugge. "When we had three kilometres on the Col de la Loze, I thought it was already a lot. It can destroy so much," said the Dutchman. "Why are you looking for it? I'm glad there are well-paved roads."
Nevertheless, the chances of a third successive Maillot Jaune look positive he believes. "The Tour de France is the highest achievable. I also expect Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel to come, so that will be fantastic to see. With Jonas we can go for a third victory," he explains. "We have now had a great year, with three Grand Tours. That will be difficult to match, so we have to see how it will be possible to ride a good Giro, Tour and Vuelta for next season. Who goes where then, other than Jonas, is something for later."
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