The TdF climbs 2017 - all you need to know
 

In a few weeks, the riders of the Tour de France will start to climb the first mountains of the race. But mountains come in all shapes and sizes - and most of them are not even real mountains! So some years ago, I began to gather information about the climbs of the Tour de France. That means that my analysis of the Tour's categorized climbs is now based on data from ten editions of the French stage race.

I've just published the results of this year's examination, and I recommend looking at the full analysis here:

www.danskebjerge.dk/article-categories-2017-full.htm

But if you're busy, and maybe even know all about categories already, there is a short version, too:

www.danskebjerge.dk/article-categories-2017-short.htm



/Jacob, Danskebjerge.dk

dunno if I would say 6 fewer climbs over the course of 21 days is "far less" or "low in numbers." I have to commend the tremendous analysis, but man, ease up; it's still a great spectacle to watch.

Nice work very cool

Thanks. :-)

Thanks for your comment. :)

Sure, it's still Tour de France and there are mountains. It's just that relatively speaking, this year's Tour does differ significantly from other Tours which tend to be fairly similar. For instance, the number of categorized climbs since 2012 has been: 59, 64, 63, 58 and 58. So going down to 53 in 2017 really is a difference. In particular because the climbs generally seem to be easier than usual.

As I write, a less mountanous Tour doesn't mean it's going to be predictable. On the contrary. :)

It would be interesting to see the data on this years Giro and Vuelta and compare the climbs of all the Gran Tours

My wife is from just outside Skive and one of my brother in laws rides on a club there. Here is a pic from cycling in DK 2013 summer

interesting stuff. i love all three grand tours but they are like children-all a little different.
appreciate the spectacle of the giro, the crowds of the tour and the racing of the vuelta.
all that said, i'll take a shortish 130-150 km stage with 3-5 cat 1, cat 2 & hc climb mix
vs some 200-230km death slog with 3 hc climbs. the shorter mtn stages seem more animated.
i also find the myself enjoying the finishes including dicey descents 5-10 kms from the last
summit more and more.

I thought so too, and earlier this year I was made aware about this page (in Spanish, but the diagrams are easy to understand):

www.plataformarecorridosciclistas.org/2016/12/04/comparativa-de-los-puertos-de-giro-tour-y-vuelta-2016/

Due to less and easier climbs in this years Tour, does anyone believe that this will give different riders a shot at the win and scramble the top 5? Who does this help?

I also noticed only 2 Americans on the start list as of now, Phinney and Talansky. Hope that changes.

It seems that less climbs and easier climbs would open up the tour to someone other than Froome but haven't the race organizers tried that before and it didn't work?
I thought that Froome was less than impressive (for him) at the Dauphine but I assume he'll come roaring back for the Tour.

Its the first time Froome is going into the Tour without a victory on the season. Not sure how much that means to a rider of his caliber however.

I have to believe this might be the perfect race for Valverde, who's often been close in the GT's, but just falls short on the big, long climbs. And besides a mediocre (sandbagging?) Dauphine, he's having a killer season...

The "easier" climbs may favor Valverde.....almost forgot about him. I'd love to see him get a win as a podium finish is something he's done before.
I'd also like to see Dan Martin get on the podium, assuming he's doing the Tour.
And Phinney in Yellow for one stage (maybe a win in the opening TT) would be a nice thing too.

Noticed that too. Where is Tejay??

Tejay did the Giro (for the first time). Porte is the lone GC rider for BMC this Tour and, in my opinion, that is a good move.
Tejay didn't exactly ride as well in the Giro as he hoped but he did get out in the break on at least two stages and won his first stage in a grand tour.

Are there any riders doing the TdF that also rode in the Giro?

porte is the lone designated gc rider but they look to have a strong enough team that if disaster struck
porte early on...say...before stage 8, i think bmc could possibly shepherd either roche or caruso into a
top ten gc finish. or they could just turn gva loose or shoot for stage wins with him, roche, caruso and kung.

I agree, I just meant as far as having someone finish in first overall. I was actually hoping Tejay (and the team) would change their minds and he would ride in the Tour as a helper/possible stage winner but I suppose the dynamics of that wouldn't work or suit Tejay.
Caruso looked good at the Tour de Suisse.

There are probably several, if not more. Off the top my head the only GC rider that comes to mind is Quintana. He finished second in the Giro. Not sure how he'll do but I personally would rather see Valverde win the Tour.

Obviously (and very sadly) now, not going to happen. As has been the case since 2012, I am rooting for anyone but Sky. I have respect for Froome's abilities, and the way he presents himself in the media, but remain hyper-skeptical of Wiggins' (who I have no doubts is legitimately a champion track cyclist) TDF win, and am even more skeptical of Brailsford's honesty than I am of Bruyneel's.

My prediction for the surprise of the Tour this year... Mientjes.