Cycling Weekly Magazine

17 April 2014

We’re counting down the days — there’s now just 12 weeks to go until the Tour de France begins in Leeds. Don’t miss our special 16-page guide to the Tour in the UK in next week’s issue. It’s the Tour’s fourth visit to Britain, 40 years since the first, and only seven since the Grand Départ in London. We reckon that was the best prologue ever. We’re biased, but even race boss Christian Prudhomme reckons the scenes in London were pretty special. Leeds has a lot to live up to but if the frenzy of pre-race excitement is anything to go by, it’s going to be quite a weekend. If you’re looking for excitement, then you’ll relish the chance to see a Cavendish versus Kittel showdown for the stage one finish in Harrogate. Cav in yellow for the first time in his career? Now that would be special. Although a bunch sprint is virtually assured, there will be still be plenty of action on the road with three categorised climbs. Stage two from York to Sheffield will be more of a challenge with four climbs, including the second-category Holme Moss. The slopes will be packed; it really will be Britain’s answer to Alpe d’Huez. And finally on Monday, the Tour heads off to London via Cambridge. Expect another bunch sprint and more glory for Cav. The finish on the Mall, all eyes towards Buckingham Palace; that will be a lasting image of this year’s Tour. Robert Garbutt, Editor