The Olympics will affect this year’s Tour in a number of ways, but most visibly will be the last stage of the Tour, when instead of a sprint on the fabled Champs-Élysées in Paris, the race will finish with a 33.7-kilometer time trial in Nice.
For years, Stage 21 of the Tour has been a largely ceremonial affair, with riders keeping the pace light until the very end, when leadouts organized for one last bunch sprint. This year, however, the final stage has the potential to decide the yellow jersey. The stage is lengthy, and features a Category 2 climb on its route along the rocky French Riviera.
Riders won’t be able to appreciate the scenery much in the throes of their heart-stopping efforts, but at least we can. The Promenade des Anglais, where the time trial finishes, is no less spectacular than the Champs-Élysées. Just swap the Eiffel Tour for some unadulterated sunshine and you’ll hardly know the difference.
