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A BS-ers Guide to Tour de l’Avenir

by Black Sheep Cycling

By Black Sheep Cycling

August 4^th, 2022

The Tour de l’Avenir is a time machine. It’s more than just a race, it’s a look straight into the future.

Every year, you’re seeing the next batch of Classics kings, sprint missiles and grand tour champions show the big leagues exactly what they can do. A 10 day stage-race across cycling-mad country, contested solely by riders aged under 23.

Why is it so important? Well, it’s an audition for the big one. Le Grand Boucle, The Tour de France.

"Tour de l’Avenir is a time machine. It’s more than just a race, it’s a look straight into the future."

It’s been running since 1961, originally for amateurs and semi-pros but more recently as a pure test for young riders. But if you’re thinking “yeah, sure, ok it’s a diet Tour for kids” you’d be dead wrong… Because these ‘kids’ are hungry.

The Tour is intense because it’s the brutal pinnacle of cycling. L’Avenir is intense because getting to a summit that brutal is sometimes even harder. It’s dog eat dog, last rider standing.

It’s racing for purists in national colours. No trade team alliances, less conservative sponsor-first tactics, more action. The Tour can sometimes feel like a game of trying not to lose. L’Avenir is a test of who really wants to win.

Sure, it’s shorter, the 2021 edition was 1134 km long compared to the 3,414 covered by its older brother. But with an average speed of over 40kmh for 28 hours and 11 minutes over anything-but-flat terrain, with riders burning a thousand calories an hour, we dare you to tell them it’s easy.

"But if you’re thinking “yeah, sure, ok it’s a diet Tour for kids” you’d be dead wrong… Because these ‘kids’ are hungry."

Been watching the Tour this year? Bauke Mollema, Nairo Quintana, Warren Barguil, Marc Soler, David Gaudu all cut their teeth as winners of The Tour of the Future. But don’t take it from them and their glittering palmarès, take it from Felice Gimondi, Joop Zoetemelk, Greg LeMond, Miguel Indurain, Laurent Fignon, Egan Bernal, and a certain Tadej Pogačar. 15 Tours de France, with an additional 10 podium placings between them. Not bad, eh?

Should we even be calling it the Tour of the Future, because it’s starting to feel a hell of a lot like the here and now. Egan Bernal and Tadej Pogacar both went on to take their yellow jerseys within 2 years of L’Avenir glory, both still eligible for the u23s when putting the seniors to the sword.

We’re on board with L’Avenir because we want to be at the Big Bang of the next generation of champions. We want to see the best racing up-close and personal and we think you should join us. Whether it’s for the action, or the ability to tell your mates on the next group ride exactly who’ll be taking Yellow in Paris in 2025.

Race Calendar

Prelude

La Roche-sur-Yon

Thursday 18 August

Stage 1

La Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération

Friday August 19

Stage 2

Benet to Civray

Saturday August 20

Stage 3

Civray to La Trimouille - CC Vienne et Gartempe

Sunday August 21

Stage 4

Sainte-Sévère-sur-Indre to Chaillac - Département de l'Indre

Monday August 22

Stage 5

Gueugnon to Saint-Vallier

Tuesday August 23

Stage 6

Saint Amour - CC Porte du Jura to Oyonnax

Wednesday August 24

Stage 7

Thonon-les-Bains to Saint François Longchamp - Col de la Madeleine

Friday August 26

Stage 8

Ugine to La Toussuire - Les Sybelles

Saturday August 27

Stage 9

Bessans to Villaroger - CC Haute-Tarentaise

Sunday August 28

Button Label

Gold Coast Marathon

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