The comparison between stage 9 of the next Tour de France (TDF 2024) and the Strade Bianche is a topic of debate in the cycling world.
The inclusion of gravel (unpaved roads) sections in road race stages is a controversial topic and has generated diverse opinions among fans, cyclists and event organizers. Here are some of the key differences between these two events:
Stage 9 of the Tour de France 2024:.
- 14 sectors of gravel.
- A total of 32.2 kilometers of gravel in the entire stage.
- The total length of the stage is 199 kilometers.
Strade Bianche:.
- 11 sectors of gravel.
- A distance of 63 kilometers of gravel throughout the race.
- The total length of the race is 184 kilometers.
Some of the differences and similarities between these two tests are highlighted below:
1. Total Mileage:.
- Stage 9 of the TDF 2024 has a total distance of 199 kilometers, which is longer compared to the 184 kilometers of Strade Bianche. This makes the Tour de France stage an even more demanding endurance test.
2. Length of the Gravel Sectors:.
- Although the TDF 2024 has more gravel sectors (14 compared to 11 for Strade Bianche), the total length of the gravel sections in the TDF is about half that of Strade Bianche (32.2 km vs. 63 km). This means that the gravel sections in the Tour de France are shorter on average.
3. Controversy and Criticism:.
- ASO, the organizer of the Tour de France, has faced criticism for the inclusion of a stage with so much scrambling. Some feel that it may be too much of a challenge for the riders and could have too much influence on the overall classification of the race. Strade Bianche, on the other hand, is known for being a one-day race in which the presence of gravel sectors is expected and celebrated.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
- Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
- That is a very lazy way of putting it but so far on this website it seems like everyone is happy to look at everything lazily, even things that annoy them intensely. All they want to do is state their feeling and position but ask most to analyse a problem or come up with solutions or improvements and you’re stunned by silence. Nobody even really knows how this all happens. It’s very simple and quick to just say the UCI did it but I bet you they didn’t, I bet you not more than 2 people were involved, more likely just 1. The UCI may be ultimately responsible but it is not their decision, this is about hierarchy, power and delegation. The fact that protest is possible also means it isn’t over and that MORE people could get involved for a thorough review which could throw up anything. It is highly likely it was a sole commissar who decided and has that power in a first round. Therein might lie the problem the UCI has to consider, is it acceptable to give so much authority to one single person when it is quite possible for them to have a natural bias or be too easily susceptible to imposed bias. Who is to say an individual in this position isn’t susceptible to collaboration with outside players with interests in the results, nations, families, teams, betting companies, etc. On the one hand we have sports where these problems have been worked on way more to reduce such problems, on the other hand we have sports with far stricter and more draconian rules not even concerning safety or obstruction that nobody really questions like false starts or stepping out of lane or zones in athletics. If cycling hastowork on itself, it would be good if protagonists (all kinds) would start doing a little more than just moaning over outcomes.Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- Yes, so why not make comments less pointless?Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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Tappa 9 #TDF2024 #StradeBianche 14 settori 11 settori 32.2km sterrato 63km sterrato 199km totali 184 km totali
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