Cycling. New formula, high quality assortment… Here’s everything you need to know before starting the Alpes Isère . tour

Fifth step weigh

This is a novelty since last year, the Alpes Isère tour has been enriched with a fifth stage in the heart of the Alps. Profile that gives prominence to climbers and scenery. This flatters the difference. Polling on roads connecting Entre-Deux-Guiers and Allevard-les-Bains has doubled in recent weeks. Teams consulted spoke of a demanding phase that required multiplying efforts in several sequences.

This icing on the cake gives a new character to an event that, suddenly, can attract a variety of formations. This fine combination of error-free flatness, climbing and stunning finishing is a good playground for nurseries of established formations that want to toughen their little promises.

denser slab

Reading about the courses that took place this year, we tell ourselves that there are beautiful people out there. If the mix of professional teams and N1 clubs in the region has always been the hallmark of the Alpes Isère Tour, there is no shortage of teams and riders to identify this year. Of course, we will mention the B&Bs that landed Pierre Rolland among the gondola heads.

Young teams from Jumbo-Visma or Groupama-FDJ that are full of young talents. Also of note is the Elkov-Kaspet case with Czech Jakub Otruba, who finished third at AIT last year and who suddenly arrived with serious arguments.

promises to discover

True to its reputation, the Alpes Isère Tour is also fertile ground for the talents of tomorrow. Romain Gregoire, 19, described as the great French rider of the future, will initially be in Groupama-FDJ colours. A team that also includes another nugget of international cycling, New Zealander Robin Thompson (21). Joe Bidcock, 20, will make sure to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Tom, the British mountain bike champion.

Since cycling is often a family affair, at Jumbo-Visma Development we find Axandre Van Petegem, son of Belgian Tom Van Petegem, winner of three classics in the early 2000s. Valentin Retailleau (21), France U23 champion 2021, could get his ticket to play under the colors of AG2R Citroën U23s.

Audience return

The 2022 edition represents a great return for fans along the roads and at the end of the stage. Last year, the government lifted health restrictions on the day of the big departure, but the AIT was unable to obtain the necessary permits in advance to welcome the public. This time around, the young Queen’s fans will be able to come and greet the contestants as they like and greet the person who will succeed Dutchman Schord Bucks, the big winner in 2021.