It represents the ideal preparation as the Giro approaches. The Tour de Romandie, which starts this Tuesday April 23 and which will last until Sunday 28, is generally the last stage when the first Grand Tour of the season appears on the horizon. And as is often the case, the Swiss race presents a very attractive line-up in 2024. If the boss of the peloton, Tadej Pogacar, author of an overwhelming demonstration on Liège-Bastogne-Liège this Sunday, will not be present, this will certainly be the case for his lieutenants.
Starting with Adam Yates. Winner in 2023, the British rider is once again one of the favorites for final victory in the Tour de Romandie. While he could become the first man to retain his title in the event since Primoz Roglic in 2019, the experienced member of the UAE Team Emirates will nevertheless have to share leadership with Juan Ayuso and Brandon McNulty, who can also claim to be victory.
Gaudu or Alaphilippe for a stage victory?
For Yates and his teammates, the main competing formation should be the Bora – Hansgrohe. Under the leadership of Aleksandr Vlasov, winner in 2022, but also of Jai Hindley, winner of the Giro that year, or even Sergio Higuita, the German team can aim for the coronation on the roads of French-speaking Switzerland.
On the French side, the chances of final victory seem slim but Groupama-FDJ can harbor ambitions on the stages thanks to David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), back in form with his success on the Tour du Jura at the beginning of April, or even the young nugget Lenny Martinez, who should change teams at the end of the season. Also note the presence of Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step), who intends to gain momentum before the Giro.
Hilly, the Tour de Romandie route will begin with an extremely short prologue (2.28 km) in the streets of Payerne on Tuesday. Two longer stages will follow with a few passes to get the hang of it before Friday’s time trial around Oron. Victory should take shape during the weekend, with a mid-mountain stage on Saturday and a circuit race in Vernier to finish.
The 2024 Tour de Romandie will be followed from Tuesday April 23 to Sunday April 28 on La Chaîne L’Équipe and Eurosport 2. The race will be broadcast from 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 2 p.m. on weekends.
