It is exactly one month today until a start of the Tour de France 2022 for the men. Hopefully we will see a few less idiots along the road this year, although that is probably vain hope. If only Ms 'Allez Opi & Omi' has learnt her lesson. As have her many imitators. Fortunately, there are bound to be other things making the news this year. Like the beautiful climbs and the many other stories from the peloton. Who will win? Which rider is the big loser? Where are dreams going to shatter? Who will be the revelation? It will not be down to the course, and certainly not the beautiful climbs. There are again plenty of fine bits of asphalt found in the French, Swiss, Danish and Belgian (!) country. An international tour, it certainly is. Herewith the 5 most beautiful climbs in the Tour de France 2022. Completely arbitrary, though.
Super Planche des Belles Filles (Stage 7)
The story of Planche des Belles Filles has probably been told a thousand times. This climb in the Vosges has for several years been an almost annual finish in the first or early second week of the Tour de France. Although, one Primoz Roglic had hoped he would never have encountered this climb in the second-to-last stage of the 2020 edition. Perhaps the most unfortunate day of his life. The same day that his compatriot Tadej Pogacar settled for good at the head of the peloton. With the addition of the last extra steep stretch (and the word 'Super') to the name, this is a finish climb that everyone will be sitting down for. As an amateur, you'll need to be in good shape here, because with a maximum gradient of 22.9 per cent, you're going to break down completely.
Col de la Croix (Stage 9)
For several years now, the UCI has organised the Gran Fondo Switzerland. From its headquarters in Aigle, a peloton of fanatics trek the Alpes Vaudoises in to make a wonderful lap there over the Col de Pillon, Col de Mosses and to climb the Col de la Croix twice. It is the home mountain of our explorer and friend Alain Rumpf, but above all it is a wonderful new challenge for the riders in the peloton. If you want to conquer it yourself once, you don't have to wait for the Gran Fondo Suisse, you can almost always (provided it's not snows). Only during the Gran Fondo is the road closed, which is nice. It is a relatively short climb ind this variant but one with over five kilometres above eight per cent and with a starter like the Col de Mosses and a dessert like the finish climb, this is a wonderful one to write down.
Lacets de Montvernier (Stage 11)
The laces of the Montervernier. That's the literal translation, or at least that's how you could translate the name of this col. If you look at the climb, it is also like a lace sticking through an imaginary shoe. You could also see spaghetti in it, but neither the French nor the Italians will feel honoured by that. If the climb were in Italy, naturalmente, but in France, non monsieur. The climb is not exceptionally long, let alone extremely challenging in terms of gradient. It is the beauty and location that makes for a listing.
Galibier (stage 11 and stage 12!)
Not once but even twice, the riders of the peloton arrive at the top of the Galibier. This Alpine giant needs no introduction. On stage 11 of the 2022 edition, the climb will be more decisive than on stage 12, when it will be climbed almost from the start. Nevertheless, it is one of the more beautiful climbs and always (literally and figuratively) a highlight of the Tour. Also because of its bizarre altitude (2642 metres above sea level) and the length of the climb (at least 35 kilometres, although then you have to include the Telegraphe too, the classic combo). Want to know all about this climb? Then check out our classic ride on the Galibier. Then you'll know everything right away!
Hautacam (Stage 18)
There are a number of classic arrivals in the Pyrenees. The arrival on top of Hautacam is invariably in the top five beautiful arrivals in a tour stage. Already in an earlier article recalled my memories of Bjarne Riis. Monsieur Soixante showed his class here in 1996. Naja, he showed how best to ride around at the time. It's not a steep climb, averaging under eight per cent, but the irregularity is the reason this is a keeper in the Tour. Whether Vincenzo Nibali will come out on top again this year we actually already know. The answer to that question is no, as Nibali will only ride the Vuelta as a grand tour and stop riding professionally after 2022.
Bonus tip: Cote de Genner (Stage 2)
Denmark is anything but flat. This year, the Tour de France starts in Copenhagen. In the second stage (after the time trial and the first stage in line), they enter beautiful Sonderjylland. There are a couple of delicious calve bites there. The Cote de Genner is a nice nod to all the Cotes and Cols there are in the tour. Not only the decoration is worthwhile, but the surroundings, the road towards it and the descent towards Aabenraa are definitely recommended! Will you come and watch too?
