Stage 4 Amiens – Rouen (173 km)

WHEN WILL THE BIG MOUNTAINS COME?

You might remember that, last year, Tadej Pogacar delivered a sensational victory on the Stage 4 (including Col du Galibier). If this was your first (or even second, because Toirmalet stage in 2023 waspretty early in the race too ) Tour de France, I'm sorry to inform you, that not every Tour de France edition includes high mountain stages during the first few days. Not even in modern day road cycling, when the structure of a three-week-long competition has changed a lot comparing to the previous decades.

In 2025, Tour de France follows a rather traditional way of including high mountainascent in its program. The Pyrenees come during the second, while the Alps during the third week.

There will be theee days jn the Pyrenees. Stage 12 will end on the top of Hautacam. The next day (Stage 13) will be an individual mountain time trial. Stage 14, including some iconic, historical ascents, loke Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde will end on Superbagnéres.

The lsst week opens with a sole giant. Mont Ventoux, located in the periphery of the Alps, on the 16th stage.

The peloton spends only two days kn the Alps, this year, Stage 18, with Col de la Loze at the end, also Stage 19, finishing on La Plagne.

TOUR DE FRANCE LEFEND OF THE DAY

One of the few riders in history to win all three Grand Tours—Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España—Felice Gimondi was a symbol of consistency, class, and resilience in professional cycling. Born in 1942 in Sedrina, Italy, Gimondi made an immediate impact when he won the 1965 Tour de France at just 22 years old, riding as a neo-professional for the Salvarani team. It was only his second Grand Tour, and he won it after being called up as a late replacement.

Gimondi’s career, however, unfolded during the height of Eddy Merckx’s dominance. Often finishing just behind the Belgian legend, Gimondi was sometimes overshadowed but never forgotten. Despite this, he still built an impressive palmarès: he won the Giro d’Italia three times (1967, 1969, 1976), the Vuelta a España in 1968, and multiple classic one-day races, including Paris–Roubaix and the World Championship in 1973.

Known for his smooth, elegant pedaling and calm demeanor, Gimondi was respected not just for his results but for the way he raced—with intelligence, humility, and professionalism. He remained active in Italian cycling after retirement and is remembered as one of the sport’s true gentlemen