The Tour de France may have just finished a few short months ago (with an unprecedented win by Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas), but preparations are already underway for next year’s race.
The bike race, which is considered the most prestigious in the world for its sport, takes place every July and covers a whopping 2,000 miles of rugged terrain. And this 3D mockup reveals exactly where each of the 21 stages of the race will take place over its 3-week run. Next year’s event will be a special one in fashion history, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Tour de France’s signature yellow jersey, the cyclist’s version of a Miss America tiara. It will also be what Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme is calling, “the highest Tour in history.” Not surprising, if you can follow the mad zig-zag of this terrifying roadmap.
Only time will tell if Geraint Thomas will be able to reclaim his jersey, or if four-time Tour winner Chris Froome will return to the ring à la Rocky II, but one thing is certain: this race will be a little more sprint-up-a-mountain than walk-in-the-park.
