The 2019 Tour de France will include a record 30 mountain passes and five summit finishes after organisers unveiled a route intended to encourage aggressive racing. With the goal of creating more exciting racing, organisers unveiled a route which features fewer hors categorie climbs – the most difficult of all – but more category two climbs which can encourage attacks. And the 2019 Tour champion will be known after the 33.4km time trial up to the finish at Val Thorens, at an altitude of 2,365m. Organisers also announced details of La Course, the women’s race which takes place during the Tour. The route includes the Cote d’Esquillot, which could prove the springboard for a race-winning attack.

Source: Irish Examiner October 25, 2018 11:37 UTC