A Rookie’s Guide to the Tour de France – Types of Stage

Another great aspect of the Tour de France is the variety offered by having 21 individual stages. These stages are all different and all have slightly different strategy, which I will try to explain in vague detail in this post. Understand that not all stages of each type are the same, and not all stages are created equal. The tactical elements of any stage are incredibly nuanced and can’t be covered in their entirety in this post.

Flat Stage

The first and simplest type of stage is a flat stage. This year’s tour contains 5 flat stages, although one contains cobblestones, which alter the strategy entirely. For most flat stages, the peloton controls the breakaway and there is a bunch finish which is one by one of the fastest riders in the peloton. Most flat stages don’t result in big time gaps to affect the general classification, but plenty of green jersey points are offered for flat stage finishes.

Cobblestones can change a flat stage, and stage 4 of this years’ race features cobbles. The inclusion of cobblestones in the Tour is controversial and many editions do not include them at all, but they make for some exciting bike racing. Basically the cobbles take a routine day and turn it on its head, wreaking havoc on the order in the peloton. Cobblestones make it hard to ride in a pack and discourage a large group riding together, so the strongest riders are often able to breakaway and take chunks of time. Additionally, cobblestones cause crashes and mechanical problems, which can sink a rider’s entire race. Stage four will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting days in the race this year.

Hilly Stage

The next type of stage is a hilly stage, which covers rolling hills but no significant inclines. Usually hilly stages are not hard enough to create large time gaps, but can create smaller groups than the massive peloton that rides together on flat stages. This leads to exciting racing as fewer riders are left for the finish, meaning most teammates are eliminated and the top dogs have to fight it out one on one. Although hilly stages typically have little impact on the general classification, they can be lively days of racing and often result in epic finishes.

Medium Mountain/Transition Stage

A medium mountain or transition stage is more difficult than a hilly stage, but usually does not contain steep enough slopes to shake up the yellow jersey race. However, some riders can create time gaps on these stages, and overall contenders have to be on the lookout. This type of stage favors breakaways, because it takes a lot of energy for the peloton to keep the breakaway in check over the mountainous terrain, but there are no climbs threatening enough to force the yellow jersey candidates to duel it out. Oftentimes an opportunist can snatch a transition stage from the breakaway.

Mountain Stage

As was mentioned in the last installment of this series, which you can read here, the tour is decided in the mountains. Mountain stages cover the steep slops in the French Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges. These stages are hugely important in the race for the yellow jersey, and a bad day in the mountains can and has cost a rider the entire Tour. On mountain days, teams with top riders do work to keep the race together for as long as possible and ensure that their man is at the front for the final few kilometers of the last climb. A good teammate is invaluable to a team leader in the mountains, and without an ace wingman, no rider can succeed in the Tour’s mountains.

Individual Time Trial

Time trials are often called the race of truth, because in the time trials a rider has to prove whether or not he has the legs to win the Tour without his teammates. As I mentioned in the last part of this series, time trials are contested and timed individually over short distances. Although not as long as other stages, time gaps are huge, and time trials are just as important as the mountains in determining the overall winner. In time trials, riders use special aerodynamic bikes and helmets which are disallowed for other stages. Time trials can be some of the most interesting days to watch on the Tour, because they carry heavy weight in the overall general classification.

Team Time Trial

Last but not least, this years’ tour has a team time trial on stage 9. This exercise is controversial much like cobblestones, but it is one of the most interesting spectacles in the sport. In this discipline, teams compete as a unit, with all riders getting the time of the fifth rider to cross the line. This means that any rider who wishes to win the overall needs a strong team who can push him to a top time in the team time trial. To maximize aerodynamics, riders follow one another in a straight line, tucked low over their time trial bikes. This creates another of cycling’s most iconic images.

Thanks for reading my quick rundown of the different types of stage. Check back in tomorrow for a look at the types of rider who will compete in the race and the role each one has on the team.

Other Parts of The Series:

Part 1 – Introduction – Click here

Part 2 – Races within the Race – Click Here

Part 3 – Basic Bike Race Strategy – Click Here