EUROTRASH: More Flat Time Trials in Grand Tours — Please!

Mike Fee advocates for an increase in flat time trial kilometres within Grand Tours, arguing that while time trials may lack the immediate excitement of tactical road stages, they provide a crucial balance to the race dynamics. He notes a trend towards fewer and shorter time trials, particularly flat ones, which has skewed general classification battles in favour of climbers. By reintroducing longer, flatter time trials, all-rounders and powerful riders would have a better chance to challenge the mountains specialists, potentially leading to more competitive and unpredictable contests. Fee highlights recent examples to support his case, such as the Giro d’Italia’s Stage 10 time trial where Jonas Vingegaard, typically seen as a climber, lost time to riders with stronger time trial abilities. This illustrates how flat time trials can create suspense and shake up the standings, even if the ultimate winners still tend to emerge from the mountain stages. He concedes that the dominance of riders like Tadej Pogačar is a separate issue, as Pogačar excels across all terrains, including time trials, suggesting that only time or emerging talents might challenge his supremacy. In race news, Laurence Pithie of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe claimed a commanding victory on the opening stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk, out-sprinting notable competitors on a demanding uphill finish in Laon. The 177.2-kilometre stage featured a challenging circuit with a steep climb and a chaotic finale, where team tactics and positioning played a decisive role. Pithie’s win, following his recent success at Rund um Köln, confirms his strong form and ability to perform in tough, technical races. Looking ahead, the Tour de France 2028 is set to start in Reims, returning to the Grand Est region of France after two years abroad. This marks a homecoming for the race’s 115th edition, with Reims last hosting the Grand Départ in 1956. The choice of location promises a blend of historic significance and scenic routes, setting the stage for another memorable Tour. Meanwhile, readers showed a surprising preference for following the Giro d’Italia over the Tour de France in a recent poll, reflecting a growing appreciation for the Italian Grand Tour’s unique character and challenges.