This Sunday, October 6, 2024, the 118th edition of Paris – Tours, one of the most anticipated classics of the cycling season, will set off from Chartres for a 214-kilometer adventure to Tours. Nicknamed the “Dead Leaves Classic”, this emblematic race is renowned for its unexpected twists and turns and its autumnal atmosphere.
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In 2023, it was not without surprise that the American Riley Sheehan (Israel – Premier Tech) won ahead of the British Lewis Askey (Groupama – FDJ) and the Norwegian Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) who took second place. arrived 2nd and 3rd place on the podium. Arnaud Démare (Arkéa – B&B Hotels) only took 8th place.
Paris – Tours 2024: The list of runners entered and favorites
The detailed route of Paris – Tours 2024
The fictitious start will be given to Chartres at 11:30 a.m., followed by a real departure at morance. The runners will start in a peloton of 161 participantsincluding world-famous names. The first of ten vineyard paths will be reached around 3:20 p.m., with successive passages on technical portions which will encourage daring attacks. Arrival on Avenue de Grammont : from 16h50. Entrance on the Limeray path : from 15h20. Passage on the path to Peu Morier (1.6 km): from 16h20.
Paris – Tours 2024. How to watch live on TV
A reinvented course
Since 2018, Paris – Tours has evolved by integrating vineyard paths to its route, thus transforming its identity and attracting both sprinters and classics specialists. This atypical course, although more demanding, brought a new dynamic to the competition, making it more attractive and open to attacks.
The 2024 journey is divided into two main parts: The first part (140 km) is relatively classic, with asphalt roads winding through the French countryside, allowing riders to warm up. The first kilometers will pass through towns like Cloyes-sur-le-Loir et Vendômewhere the peloton will be able to benefit from straight sections while remaining vigilant against the wind, which could be a determining factor. The last 70 kilometers reveal the full character of the route, with eight ribs et ten vineyard paths to overcome. This is where the race becomes truly decisive, particularly as the race approaches. Limeray Coast (1 km at 3%), which marks the beginning of the difficulties. Other climbs will then follow such as the Côte de Goguenne (700 m at 5.4%), the Côte du Bois de Chancay (900 m at 4.2%), and the dreaded Côte de la Rochèrewhich climbs 400 meters with a slope of 11%.
Vine paths: A unique challenge
The vineyard paths, added to the route since 2018, are unpaved sections which cross the vineyards of the Loire Valley. Made up of gravel and dirt, these paths provide an additional technical challenge, where the choice of trajectory and bike management become crucial. THE Rochecorbon roadin particular, is famous for its tight turns and irregular surface, often a source of punctures and incidents.
The 10 vineyard paths
146,7 – Limeray 0.9m
152,3 – Pocé-sur-Cisse 1,1km
163,3 – Big Stone 1.5 m
167,6 – Valmer Castle 0.5 m
170,7 – from Chançay to Reugny 0.9m
180,9 – That’s it 0.6m
183,7 – Spruces 1.2km
185,9 – Narrow down 0.9m
191,4 – Little Morier 1.6km
200 – Rochecorbon 0,8m
Read also: Discover our analysis of the favorites of Paris – Tours (future)
Paris Profile – Tours 2024
Paris-Tours 2024 has profoundly transformed its profile in recent years, abandoning its status as a classic reserved for sprinters to become a more demanding and selective race. The introduction of numerous sectors of vineyard paths in the last 50 kilometers has made the course more rugged and technical. These unpaved paths, combined with several hills, now offer an ideal playground for punchers and complete runners. This development has allowed Paris-Tours to regain attractiveness and attract a more varied peloton.
Paris route map – Tours 2024
The Paris-Tours 2024 route, 214 kilometers long, is marked by a relatively flat first part before becoming considerably denser in the last 70 kilometers. It is in this last part that the runners will face the main difficulties of the race, namely eight hills and ten sectors of vineyard paths. The latter, located mainly in the Loire Valley, add an additional tactical and physical dimension to the event. The organizers have thus succeeded in creating a demanding and varied course, likely to provoke surprises and give rise to lively races. The finale, with the arrival on Avenue de Grammont, traditionally offers an exciting and uncertain spectacle.
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