The stakes, one could argue, are higher in this single late-summer week than at any other point in a talented young rider’s year. This is the U23 Tour de France, the Tour de l’Avenir, a make-or-break for many. Ride well and a career is launched. Ride poorly and you have some explaining to do.
L’Avenir is a cauldron that takes in some of the hardest climbs in world cycling, pitting national teams of U23 men against each other in a nine-stage test of potential. High stakes beget hard racing and hard racing makes the stakes even higher. It’s a vicious cycle that chews up and spits out those without talent or luck or a bit of both.
This year’s race was won by Cian Uijtdebroeks, who has already signed with Bora-Hansgrohe. For more takeaways and riders to keep an eye on, check out Joe Laverick’s crystal ball.
Take a good, long look at photographer Anouk Flesch‘s photos from the Tour de l’Avenir. Remember the faces, remember the names. These young men are about to be the best male bike racers in the world.
Team time trials hurt. A lot.Thomas Gloag won a hard stage 4, which ended in a two-up sprint between the Brit and Adam Holm Jørgensen from Denmark.Flocks of bike racers, fighting the wind.Though many of the top riders have already signed for trade teams, l’Avenir is raced by national teams.Before the TTT.After the TTT. Germany won by two seconds over Belgium.Uijtdebroeks all smiles after moving into first overall.Uijtdebroeks climbs alone. Remember the name.Mathias Vacek of the Czech Republic is racing as a stagiaire for Trek-Segafredo this fall. He finished 10th overall.The future watching the future.Jordan Labrosse finished second on stage 3. He races for the AG2R development team and for the departmental Auvergne-Rhone Alpes squad at l’Avenir. France, as the host, brings a national team as well as two extra departmental teams.Mathis Le Berre of France in the KOM jersey, which he wore on stages 6 and 7. Le Berre has signed a contract with Arkea Samsic through 2025.The Norwegians lead through the Alps.It truly is a mini Tour de France. Here Embret Svestad-Bårdseng (left, Norway) and Alec Segaert (right, Belgium) chase.The Swiss team takes control.Luke Lamperti (left) is a US national criterium champion and mixed it up in bunch sprints early in the week, finishing fifth on stage 2.Read More
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