How far in advance does Tour de France route planning begin?

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Tour de France Route Planning Begins Three Years in Advance

Planning for each year's Tour de France route commences a full three years prior to the event. This extensive lead time allows Tour director Christian Prudhomme to select the city that will host the prestigious Grand Départ for a specific edition. Following this initial decision, Prudhomme determines the overall direction of the race and meticulously chooses the departure and arrival towns for each of the 21 stages from an extensive list of approximately 300 potential locations, which includes around 50 foreign options.
Selection of Grand Départ City and Race Direction

The process of designing the Tour de France route starts significantly in advance, with the Grand Départ city being finalized three years before the race. Tour director Christian Prudhomme is responsible for this initial selection. Once the starting city is confirmed, Prudhomme then establishes the general flow and direction of the race, considering various factors beyond just sporting elements, such as regional appeal and historical significance.
Detailing the 21 Stages

After the overarching direction of the Tour is set, Prudhomme proceeds to select the specific departure and arrival towns for each of the 21 stages. This involves choosing from a pool of around 300 candidate locations, a list that also incorporates about 50 international cities. The selection considers a balance of sporting challenges, scenic beauty, and the potential for large television audiences, particularly for weekend stages and Bastille Day.
Finalizing the 3,000-Kilometre Path

Once the departure and finish towns for all stages are decided, the task of designing the precise 3,000-kilometre path falls to route director Thierry Gouvenou. This detailed route design typically begins immediately after the current year's Tour concludes at the end of July. Gouvenou usually completes the intricate course design within a month, with the final route needing to be established by September 25.
Public Reveal of the Route

The culmination of this extensive planning process is the official unveiling of the Tour de France route. This reveal takes place in Paris in October, approximately nine months before the race itself commences. This allows for public awareness and anticipation to build, while also providing a nine-month window for any necessary adjustments or crisis management, such as diverting a route due to unforeseen circumstances like an outbreak of swine flu.

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How far in advance does Tour de France route planning begin?

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