INTERVIEW Jarrad Drizners | “The level is so high here these days” – Australian ready for Tour de France stage 1

Just before the start of Stage 1 of the 2025 Tour de France, Lotto rider Jarrad Drizners spoke with CyclingUpToDate, offering insights into his mindset and the team’s strategy. The 26-year-old Australian is racing the Tour for the second time, following his debut in 2024.

“It’s my 2nd Tour de France now, which is exciting,” Drizners said. “Very motivated with the team to go for it today.”

Drizners emphasised the importance of the opening stage, noting that although the flat profile may not favor every rider, it still carries potential challenges. “Today is already going to be an important day,” he said. “It has some characteristics that suit him with some cobbles... nothing crazy, but some as well. I think we have a good team to support.”

Conditions at the start included noticeable wind, which Drizners acknowledged could influence the race. “You feel the wind already quite a lot here at the start,” he said. While he didn't expect full echelons to form, he noted that “everyone’s very aware of it... the bunch will be nervous and stressed like always. The level is so high here these days.”

Preparation was also a key focus for the team. Drizners detailed their reconnaissance of the finale: “We did recon two days ago and yesterday. We did the last 80k when we arrived and then the last 10k yesterday. There are some tricks, some specific points in the finale where you must be in front. From like 4 km to go, there’s lots of corners—there won’t be much movement from then on—and even before that, lots of stress.”