What role do iconic mountains play in route selection?

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Iconic mountains are treated as non-negotiable elements in Tour de France route selection
Iconic mountains such as Tourmalet, Galibier, Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez play a decisive role because organisers say they are essential for the public to feel the race includes “mountains”. Tour director Christian Prudhomme said that even if 50 mountains were added, people would still say there were no mountains if those specific climbs were absent.
They are explicitly described as “non-negotiables” for the public
Prudhomme’s position is that certain famous climbs must be present in the route for the Tour to meet public expectations. He said the audience would judge the race as lacking if Tourmalet, Galibier, Ventoux or Alpe d’Huez were not included.
The selection process includes many factors, but these climbs still must be present
Route selection starts years ahead, with the Tour director choosing the Grand Depart city and the direction of the race, then picking towns for each of the 21 stages from a list of 300 candidates. Sporting considerations can widen options across France, but the “non-negotiables” on famous mountains are still treated as a required baseline for the route’s identity.
The mountains are part of how organisers shape what viewers expect to see
Organisers also factor in scenic landscapes, because “people also watch the Tour for the beauty of its landscapes”. Alongside that, Prudhomme stressed that history and sentiment matter, yet the climbs Tourmalet, Galibier, Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez remain the key reference points that viewers associate with the presence of mountains.
Route planning still allows flexibility, but the iconic climbs anchor the route
After the 21 stage towns are chosen, route director Thierry Gouvenou designs an exact path of about 3,000 kilometres for the peloton. Late changes can happen, including diversions for health-related issues such as an outbreak of swine flu, but the “non-negotiables” on those specific mountains are positioned as the standard that organisers believe the public will notice if missing.

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What role do iconic mountains play in route selection?

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