Jose De Cauwer can't imagine Tour without Montmartre: "Especially after Wout van Aert's victory"

Riders and experts alike were unsure as to what to think of the introduction of Montmartre on the course of traditional Champs-Élysées sprinter parade. And although the heavy rain forced organizers to neutralize the stage for GC, the debut of Montmartre was still a spectacle amplified by the resurrected Wout van Aert.

Expert José De Cauwer watched the stage closely and afterwards became convinced that a combination of Montmartre and Tour de France works very well and that we should certainly see this cobbled climb again in action at some point sooner or later.

"Especially after Wout van Aert's victory," he told Vive le Vélo, referring to the exciting final stage that saw his compatriot Wout van Aert come out on top of the rainy day.

Should the iconic climb in Paris return already in 2026? That could be too soon. De Cauwer would rather opt for a less predictable appearance of this fascinating addition to the course. "Every four years seems a bit Olympic. It could also be every two years. I'd keep Montmartre in there somehow. But with Montmartre every time, you're only going to make a few riders happy. So maybe alternating, that's a possibility." After all, it would be a shame if Montmartre were to become an "ordinary col".