“We never design the course for one rider... But in general: the first week should definitely suit Evenepoel" - Tour de France designer on his expectations for 2025

After the official reveal of what lies in store earlier this week, the 2025 Tour de France parcours has been the talk of the cycling world. The man behind the course's design, Thierry Gouvenou has also now explained some of the choices behind next year's route for the French Grand Tour.

As is always the case, the question is posed immediately after the reveal: Who is best suited to the route? Although Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard remain the outright favourites for the Maillot Jaune next year, Soudal - Quick-Step leader Remco Evenepoel, who finished on the final podium on his Tour de France debut in 2024 could be well poised to once again mix it up for the GC placings.

“We never design the course for one rider,” says Gouvenou in quotes collected by Het Nieuwsblad. “But in general: the first week should definitely suit Evenepoel, with a number of stages and climbs that are reminiscent of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. There is also a flat time trial of 33 kilometres where he can gain a lot of time. On the other hand, there is a tough mountain stage to Col de la Loze where you might not expect him at his best.”

Over the opening week though, there is little GC fighting at all expected as the Tour de France opts for a throwback, sprint-stage heavy opening to the Grand Tour, giving the likes of Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay a chance to take the Maillot Jaune. “At first glance you might think: we are going to be bored for the first ten days,” acknowledges Gouvenou. “But if you look closely, you will see that the ‘flat’ part is also specifically designed for the attackers and the barroudeurs. Don’t underestimate stage ten to Mont Dore either. It has more than four thousand metres of elevation and should suit Evenepoel very well again.”