Strade Bianche vs. Stage 9 Tour de France 2024: ASO's folly or genius?

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.