I've got to say, the addition of gravel stages to the Tour de France really spiced things up! It's like they injected a shot of adrenaline into the world's most famous bike race. For me, it's exactly what the Tour needed to breathe new life into both the competition and keep us fans on the edge of our seats.
You know, watching these cyclists tackle these rugged sections takes me back to the Tour's roots. It's raw, it's gritty, and it's testing these modern-day gladiators in ways that smooth tarmac just can't match. And speaking of roots, let's not forget that in its early days, nearly all stages were essentially "gravel" stages! The roads of early 20th century France were far from the smooth tarmac we're used to today.
One of the most legendary moments in Tour history happened on a gravel road - the ascent of the Col de la Galibier in 1911. This beast of a climb, topping out at 2,642 meters, wasn't just steep - it was unpaved and treacherous. The story goes that Emile Georget, leading the race, was forced to dismount and push his bike up the mountain. Can you imagine? A pro cyclist, in the yellow jersey, having to walk his bike up a mountain in the Tour de France! Many riders that day ended up shouldering their bikes and trudging up the Galibier on foot. It was a brutal reminder of just how tough the early Tours were.
One thing I absolutely love about the modern gravel stages is how unpredictable they make the race. On regular roads, you can often guess how things will play out based on team tactics and individual strengths. But throw in some gravel, and all bets are off! It's not just about who's got the strongest legs anymore - it's about who can handle their bike like a pro and who's got Lady Luck on their side. It's a game-changer that gives the underdogs a fighting chance and forces the favourites to prove they're true all-rounders.
And let me tell you, these gravel stages separate the men from the boys. It's not enough to be a climbing specialist or a time trial machine anymore. These riders need to be the complete package - strong, enduring, skilled bike handlers, and savvy enough to read the road like a book. It's creating a new breed of champion, and I'm here for it!
As a spectator, I can't get enough of the gravel stages. The sight of these elite athletes battling not just each other but the very ground beneath their wheels... it's pure drama! The dust clouds, the strategic jockeying for position, the constant threat of a puncture or mechanical - it's edge-of-your-seat stuff that makes for brilliant TV and even better roadside viewing.
There's something romantic about these gravel stages too. They're a nod to cycling's heritage (think L'Eroica!), reminding us of the Tour's early days when most roads were unpaved and bikes were more primitive. It's like watching history come alive, bridging the gap between cycling's past and present. When I see today's pros tackling gravel sections, I can't help but think of Georget and his contemporaries, pushing their primitive bikes up impossible mountains.
Fast forward to more recent times, and we've seen echoes of that old-school toughness in stages like the one over the gravel roads of the Plateau des Glières in 2018. While no one had to walk their bike that day (thank goodness for modern tech!), it still provided that same mix of excitement, unpredictability, and connection to cycling's past that makes these gravel stages so special.
I'm also fascinated by how these stages are driving innovation in bike tech. Manufacturers are being pushed to their limits, trying to create bikes and components that can handle both smooth roads and rough gravel. It's exciting to think about how these advancements might trickle down to the bikes we ride ourselves.
Now, I know not everyone's on board with the gravel stages. Some folks argue they introduce too much luck into what should be a test of endurance, and there's always the risk of race-ending crashes. The organisers definitely have their work cut out finding the right balance.
But as for me? Well, I bloody loved it!
The gravel stages have brought an excitement and unpredictability to the Tour that I didn't even realise was missing. It's made the world's greatest bike race even greater in my eyes, and I can't wait to see how it continues to evolve. It's a beautiful link between cycling's past and present, don't you think? And it makes you appreciate just how far the sport has come - and how some things, like the sheer challenge and spectacle of the Tour, remain timeless.
Bring on more gravel, I say! But what do you think - love or loathe?
Jason, Bowman Cycles (newbie!)
Gravel bike is currently a Ridley Kanzo whilst my Bowman is getting prepped and road bike is a Pinarello. Favourite bike is my 1971 Condor that is a bit of a garage princess.
The gravel stages have brought an excitement and unpredictability to the Tour that I didn't even realise was missing. It's made the world's greatest bike race even greater in my eyes, and I can't wait to see how it continues to evolve. It's a beautiful link between cycling's past and present, don't you think? And it makes you appreciate just how far the sport has come - and how some things, like the sheer challenge and spectacle of the Tour, remain timeless.
Bring on more gravel, I say! But what do you think - love or loathe?
Jason, Bowman Cycles (newbie!)
Gravel bike is currently a Ridley Kanzo whilst my Bowman is getting prepped and road bike is a Pinarello. Favourite bike is my 1971 Condor that is a bit of a garage princess.