Joe Dombrowski raced within the professional peloton throughout six groups and 12 years earlier than he referred to as it a profession initially of 2024. The US rider caught the eye of WorldTour groups when he gained the general on the U23 Giro d’Italia in 2012 driving on the Bontrager-Livestrong growth staff. He went on to notch a GC title on the Tour of Utah in 2015 and a stage victory on the 2021 Giro d’Italia.
The 33-year-old final raced the Tour de France in 2022 for Astana Qazaqstan, and accomplished each the Giro and Vuelta a España the subsequent yr to compile a complete of 14 Grand Tour appearances as a rider. A resident of Good and in an “exploratory interval” for his subsequent profession transfer, Dombrowski rides his bike virtually day by day for recreation, mixes in working and winter ski touring. He shall be on the opposite facet of the fence for this yr’s Tour end, a person time trial over Col de Eze and into his yard alongside the Mediterranean coast.
“I do journey the roads featured within the time trial kind of day by day. I dwell proper on the course because it passes by way of the port, so I usually use these roads making my approach out and in of town,” he instructed Cyclingnews. He not too long ago rode the complete ITT route and shared his insights on the twists, turns and climbs of the route, in addition to his perspective in regards to the ‘buzz’ in Good forward of the stage 21 finale.
The Tour de France is flipping the script. With the Olympic Video games coming to Paris this summer season, the enduring dash end on the Champs Elysées shall be changed by a person take a look at on the French Riviera.
Personally, being freshly retired in January this yr, I feel will probably be a humorous feeling to be so near the Tour, however not there as a participant. Once I heard the information of the last few levels being held right here in Good, one of the vital stunning locations on the planet and my dwelling for the previous decade, it was a dream to participate. Alas, my profession was a yr too quick, however I shall be having fun with the Tour from the opposite facet of the fence this yr, as a spectator.
As a rider, I at all times loved the ultimate levels of Grand Excursions. There’s a way of accomplishment on the finish, however the clout of three-week races additionally typically takes you to locations the place lesser sporting occasions would have a tough time setting foot.
Recollections like racing across the Colosseum in Rome on the finish of the Giro d’Italia, or making the u-turn across the Arc de Triomphe on the ultimate stage of the Tour de France, will keep etched in my thoughts as a singular alternative to mix my profession in sport with entry as a vacationer to a few of the world’s most wonderful locations.
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The Tour has not deviated from a Parisian end in over 100 years; and for good cause, the end on the Champs-Élysées is magical. That being stated, I don’t suppose this yr’s version has disillusioned.
There may be undoubtedly a buzz with the Tour de France end coming to Good.
The ultimate stage of this yr’s Tour is exclusive in its time trial format, but in addition within the parcours itself. The climbs, and technical descending alongside the abrupt shoreline between Monaco and Good, will make pacing and bike dealing with a a lot greater issue than your common time trial.
The riders will begin their engines alongside the famed Monaco Grand Prix begin grid subsequent to Port Hercule. The preliminary three kilometres are a flat warm-up alongside the coast, earlier than the climbing begins. Formulation 1 followers will recognise the early ramps of the climb because the Fairmont Hairpin. The riders shall be tackling the well-known nook in the wrong way, on their method to the enduring On line casino de Monte Carlo earlier than exiting the principality and grinding additional upward in the direction of the foremost climb of the day, Mont des Mules.
Pacing right here shall be essential. The principle climb is round 4 kilometres, and options comparatively shallow gradients, with a collection of hairpins. With round 450 meters of altitude achieve between the ocean stage begin in Monaco, and the highest in La Turbie, the majority of rider’s effort shall be spent right here.
From La Turbie the course heads downhill for a couple of kilometres to stunning Eze Village. If the day is obvious, you’ll be able to count on gorgeous helicopter pictures of one of many world’s most stunning coastlines, from the fortress in Eze, to the unique peninsula of St Jean Cap Ferrat, and onward to the ending line in Good. Riders will be capable of coast at excessive pace heading to Eze village, and have some respite earlier than making a proper flip for the ultimate uphill push to Col de Eze.
The climb to the Col is brief, however will sting. Ramps are over 10%, and a sure Tadej Pogačar (UAE Workforce Emirates) has the Strava KOM, in 4:19. Whereas the ultimate climb to Eze may not be so long as the primary ascent of the day, it’ll nonetheless be an element and riders must empty the tank right here earlier than the lengthy downhill run to Good.
The riders will see very excessive high speeds on the best way all the way down to Good the place the course will grow to be extra a take a look at of nerves and descending prowess. The municipality has fortunately made highway enhancements only for the Tour’s arrival. A high-speed straightaway off Col de Eze leads riders to a left flip right into a technical set of switchbacks down Col de Quatre Chemins.
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The race will most certainly be selected the uphill sections of this climbing-heavy course, however an excessive amount of danger within the corners might be expensive.
The top of the descent will route riders by way of the Port of Good earlier than making their approach onto the enduring Promenade des Anglais. It’s only a few last flat kilometres to push the pedals earlier than the end line at Place Massena.
Time gaps may show decisive, and pacing shall be essential for a time trial like this. The course options lots of climbing, however all of the gradients will favour a full TT setup, albeit with lighter choices, overdoing a motorbike change.
The descents don’t pose the likelihood for fairly the identical time to be made because the climbing parts, however they’re technical and excessive pace. Many riders name this area dwelling, and shall be accustomed to the roads. Of the two big favourites, Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tadej calls Monaco dwelling. He’s my choose for the win, as a result of I feel pacing and course information is a giant benefit in such an unconventional time trial. Plus the additional motivation that dwelling courtroom benefit brings.
I’m trying ahead to the final levels round Good, and notably watching from my window at our dwelling within the port, because the riders zip by on their method to the end line.
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