Cycling in Yorkshire
Cycling in Yorkshire
Stage 1 of the Tour de France 2022 is a 13.2km individual time trial in Copenhagen, which should allow a time trial specialist to take the first yellow jersey.
Here is the Stage 1 TDF 2022 Blog.
| Date | Friday 1st July 2022 |
|---|---|
| Stage classification | Individual time trial |
| Distance | 13.2km |
| Intermediate sprint | N/A |
| Climbs | None |
This is a map of the route of Stage 1, Tour de France 2022 from the Copenhagen Grand Départ website.
This is a map of the Stage 1 Tour de France 2022 route in PDF format.
This is the profile of Stage 1 Tour de France 2022:
| Caravan | First Rider | Last Rider | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Time | 1430 | 1600 | 1855 |
| Sankt Jakob (6.6km) | 1440 | 1607 | 1902 |
| Finish (13.2km) | 1450 | 1615 | 1910 |
This is the full timetable for Stage 1 Tour de France 2022.
The Tour de France has produced a short video showing the route of Stage 1. The rotating camera angle makes me feel rather seasick, but other than that it's ok.
The riders set off on Nørre Farimagsgade, alongside the Ørstedsparken. They then cross the Dronning Louises Bro (Queen Louise's Bridge), which carries the world's busiest cycle lane (40,000 riders per day).
Queen Louise's Bridge connects the centre of Copenhagen to the district of Nørrebro.
Queen Louise lived from 1818 to 1898, and she was the wife of King Christian IX.
On the Copenhagen side, two bronze statues stand. They are copies of ancient Roman statues, and they represent the Tiber and the Nile.
The bridge doesn't span a river, but instead it crosses artificial lakes which were fresh water reserves, then military defences, then recreational areas. To the riders' right is Sortedams, which has two artificial islands (Fish Island and Bird Island). To the riders' left is Peplinge Lake.
On the other side of the bridge, the route is Nørrebrogade then Faelledvej, passing Sankt Hans Torv - St John's Market Square, known for its many cafés.
There are two more bridges (Fredensbro and Østerbro), followed by a triangular route in an area called Trianglen, which connects the Nørrebro, Østerbro and Inner City districts. At the centre of Trianglen is an Art Nouveau tram station, known locally as the Turtle or the Soup Bowl because of its appearance.
The riders pass the Parken Stadium (the national football stadium, and home to FC Copenhagen). It opened in 1992 and has a capacity of 38,000.
Leaving Trianglen, the route is along Østerbrogade and Dag Hammarskjolds Allé.
So far, it's all wide roads.
The riders now approach the Kastellet - the Citadel of Copenhagen, which dates from 1662. It was built for Christian IV of Denmark and is one of the best-preserved fortresses in northern Europe. It's pentagonal in shape, with a bastion at each corner. Originally it was part of a continuous ring of defensive walls around the city.
Here the roads are somewhat narrower and more twisting, as the course goes around the Citdadel.
Part way round Kastellet, in Langelinie Park, the riders will pass the world's second most disappointing tourist attraction*, the Little Mermaid. (*For the most disappointing, please see Versailles, on Stage 21).
The Little Mermaid is inspired by the fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1887. The mermaid dreamt of being able to walk on dry land in order to join her lover.
At the end of Langelinie Park is a fancy fountain installed in 1908, depicting the goddess Gefion, who was the founder of the island of Zeeland, according to legend.
The riders then go through the Amalienborg Royal Palace, which is the winter residence of the Danish royal family. Four identical facades surround a square featuring an equestrian statue of King Frederick V of Denmark, founder of Amalienborg.
The riders exit Amalienborg Palace heading towards the Marmorkirken (Marble Church).
Then it's along Bredgade to Kongens Nytorv, a square built in 1670 and modelled on place Vendôme in Paris. The Royal Theatre stands on this square, and the Nyhaven (New Harbour) runs up towards it.
Next the route takes the riders along Homens Kanal to Christian's Bridge, then alongside the Inderhavnen and past the Kongelige Bibliotek (Royal Library).
There's a right turn (Vester Voldgade) then a left turn (Rysensteensgade) to reach Hans Christian Andersens Boulevard. Here the race route passes the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek sculpture museum, before approaching the finish.
The finish line is on HC Andersens Boulevard - and that's the truth, not a fairy tale. The boulevard runs alongside Tivoli Gardens.
The favourites for Stage 1 of the Tour de France 2022 will be the time trial specialists. This would include Filippo Ganna, Rémi Cavagna and Stefan Küng (King Küng).
The GC contenders could be in the mix too: Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, and even Geraint Thomas.
Though they are slight outsiders perhaps, it isn't impossible to imagine Kasper Asgreen or Mathieu van der Poel winning Stage 1 of the 2022 Tour de France. Danish rider Mads Pedersen has been focusing on this stage, and would love to win the yellow jersey in his home country.
Finally, Wout van Aert can do everything including riding against the clock. Could he swap his yellow Jumbo Visma jersey for a yellow race leader's top?
Who do you think will win the Stage 1 individual time trial?
There's a short, amusing film about the Tour de France in Denmark:
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