Tour de France says 'non merci' to notorious Danish cycling hill
The Tour de France will avoid Denmark’s perhaps-most challenging hill for bicycle racers when the event’s opening stages take place in the Scandinavian country in 2021.
Although the Tour de France peloton will pass through hilly city Vejle in southeastern Jutland, it will not take in Kiddesvej, a steep road in the southern part of the city known to Danish cycling enthusiasts for its challenging gradient.
Vejle Municipality had hoped the Tour de France route would include Kiddesvej, but that will not be the case.
“Vejle wanted it, but it does not give any sporting value because it will be so early in the stage that the riders will barely notice they’re going upwards,” Alex Pedersen, director with the Danish section of the Tour de France company, told newspaper Politiken.
“And I’m quite reluctant to send the advertising caravan, with 130-150 cars, up Kiddesvej, in case their engines blow up or clutches break. That would cause chaos,” he added.
The Kiddesvej incline is 450 metres long and has an average gradient of 11.1 percent. The steepest section has a gradient of around 19 percent.
The road is part of Danish cycling tour Postnord Danmark Rundt and often plays a key role in that race’s outcome.
Tour de France is yet to confirm the final route for the three stages to take place in Denmark.
READ ALSO: 2021 Tour de France to kick off in Denmark
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Although the Tour de France peloton will pass through hilly city Vejle in southeastern Jutland, it will not take in Kiddesvej, a steep road in the southern part of the city known to Danish cycling enthusiasts for its challenging gradient.
Vejle Municipality had hoped the Tour de France route would include Kiddesvej, but that will not be the case.
“Vejle wanted it, but it does not give any sporting value because it will be so early in the stage that the riders will barely notice they’re going upwards,” Alex Pedersen, director with the Danish section of the Tour de France company, told newspaper Politiken.
“And I’m quite reluctant to send the advertising caravan, with 130-150 cars, up Kiddesvej, in case their engines blow up or clutches break. That would cause chaos,” he added.
The Kiddesvej incline is 450 metres long and has an average gradient of 11.1 percent. The steepest section has a gradient of around 19 percent.
The road is part of Danish cycling tour Postnord Danmark Rundt and often plays a key role in that race’s outcome.
Tour de France is yet to confirm the final route for the three stages to take place in Denmark.
READ ALSO: 2021 Tour de France to kick off in Denmark
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