Chris Froome is looking forward to a closer 2027 Tour de France: 'That will change the approach to the race'
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleChris Froome was in Paris on Thursday when the 2027 Tour de France route was unveiled, and the four-time winner thinks the race could be closer than it has been in years. The reason is time trials. Froome believes that could keep the fight for yellow open for longer than recent editions. He still has a clear favourite, though.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 2027 Tour de France route has two time trials with a combined distance of 71km, the highest since the 2012 edition. That year Bradley Wiggins won the Tour, ahead of his teammate, one Chris Froome.
Read more below the photo!
Is the 2027 Tour de France Evenepoel's best chance?
Froome: 'What stood out was the time trial kilometres'
Froome gave his first verdict on the route to Eurosport at the presentation. What caught his eye was the time trial distance, not the mountains.
My first impression is that, of course, there are some really big mountain days, but what stood out was the time trial kilometres.- Chris Froome to Eurosport
He tied that choice directly to the man who has controlled the race. "I think that's partly because Tadej [Pogačar] has been so dominant in the mountains, so maybe now bringing more time trial kilometres maybe keeps the GC battle more alive for a bit longer."
Froome made a similar point to Cyclingnews: "We have seen the difference Tadej has made in the mountains so maybe with the time trials we're going to see a bit of a closer race between the favourites. That will change the approach to the race."
The obvious winner is Remco Evenepoel. The four-time reigning time trial world champion finished runner-up behind Pogačar in July and has won three time trials across his three appearances at La Grande Boucle.
Pogačar still the favourite for number six, despite the route
Froome is not betting against the defending champion. Despite the significant number of time trial kilometres, Froome still believes that Pogačar is the overwhelming favourite to win a sixth yellow jersey next summer.
It's just incredible what Tadej has been doing these past few years. I imagine that next year he'll be lining up as the main favourite for the Tour de France and no doubt going in to challenge for number six.- Chris Froome
Race director Christian Prudhomme sounded less certain. He told L'Équipe that "the real question for me – and I obviously wish him all the best – is how well he'll have recovered from his very, very, very serious crash in the Vuelta a España."
Prudhomme also compared Pogačar to Eddy Merckx after his 1969 crash in Blois, adding that it "didn't stop him from winning four more Tours de France after that".
Pogačar has already given away plenty about his 2027 plans, including one big race that is not on his schedule (yet). But of course, the 2027 Tour de France is the centre piece of his year. What he thinks about the route is not known yet.
Froome on the British Grand Départ: 'Something really special'
Froome had another reason to be excited about this route. The 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 2, 2027, with three stages in the UK.
Froome was the defending champion the last time the race started in Britain, in Yorkshire in 2014, and he expects similar crowds.
"The first three stages on UK soil is going to be be something really special. If it's anything like 2014 it will just be millions and millions of people who come out."
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Track World Championships day 2: A golden day for Team GB, Levreysen goes 2 for 2, and Kopecky eliminates the competition
Rumours, speculation and guesswork: 2027 Tour de France route will be revealed live on October 22 in Paris
Vollering adds the Women’s European Championships road race jersey to her rainbow wardrobe
16-day Grand Tours, AI, VAR, drones and more: The UCI's new document has a potentially major impact from 2029 onwards
Latest Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar to skip Paris-Roubaix in 2027: 'The easier it becomes to stay away from racing'
Here's the 2027 Tour de France route, including 71 time trial kilometers and 'just' 3 mountain-top finishes
Netcompany INEOS is doubling down on Benjamin Noval (18): 'Biggest contract ever for someone his age'
The 2027 Tour de France route is out; here's where Pogačar could win or lose his record sixth title
Lance Armstrong has a warning about the 2027 Tour de France route: 'Won’t make it across the English Channel'
Popular Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar to skip Paris-Roubaix in 2027: 'The easier it becomes to stay away from racing'
2027 Tour de France men's and women's routes: Everything you need to know about the UK Grand Départ
Transfer rumours fly as Roglič's retirement deadline looms: New potential team enters conversation
The 2027 Tour de France route is out; here's where Pogačar could win or lose his record sixth title
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Latest Comments
- I’m still figuring out how time trials affect the overall race. If Evenepoel gains time there, will Pogačar have enough mountain stages left to make it back? The route sounds exciting, but I’m not sure how much difference 71km makes.davidm22-10-2026
- Two 223km stages in the opening week could make for a proper nervous start. Those narrow British roads and potholes might have the GC favourites watching every corner.jennifer1922-10-2026
- That Pau–Portet stage sounds absolutely savage: Tourmalet, Soulor, Hourquette d’Ancizan and then the Portet. Vingegaard should suit those long climbs, though Pogačar is hardly easy to shake.julien22-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock gives Evenepoel a real chance to put pressure on Pogačar, but those Pyrenean stages look brutal. Could be a cracking final week if the time gaps stay close.sprocketspiny22-10-2026
- Not sure we can call this a perfect Evenepoel route before we’ve seen the start list. Plenty of time-trialling, yes, but those Pyrenees stages look absolutely savage. Could be a great Tour, though.julien22-10-2026
- I’m still learning the route—does a time trial mean every rider starts separately, and the fastest time wins the stage? Either way, 38km sounds like a long time to be racing alone!breakawaybikerd22-10-2026
- Montmartre again! Three ascents, with the last one 10km from the line, could make the finale far less predictable than a straightforward bunch sprint. Can’t wait.pedalpowe2922-10-2026
- The July 14 stage looks savage: 4,750 metres in just 150km is a proper day in the mountains. Skipping the biggest Alpine giants but finishing at Les Saisies should make for an interesting tactical race.velodromevirtuoso122-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock and only three summit finishes—Remco will be circling this one. But that Portet stage is brutal enough to undo a lot of damage in a hurry.davidm22-10-2026
- TotalEnergies’ sponsor situation makes this whole race for an invitation feel a bit academic unless they can secure funding. Hope they get it sorted—I’d love to see more teams get a crack at the Tour.cadencekingm21-10-2026
Loading
