What's happened
The 2024 Tour de France will commence in Lille on July 5, featuring a challenging route with five summit finishes and a mountain time trial. Tadej Pogacar, the reigning champion, is favored to win again, while Mark Cavendish hints at a potential return after retirement plans.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Tadej Pogacar is the clear favorite for the 2024 Tour de France, with a route designed to challenge even the best climbers. The article notes, 'Pogacar's domination this year has left even Tour director Christian Prudhomme aghast.' Meanwhile, The Independent highlights Mark Cavendish's mixed feelings about retirement, stating, 'Cavendish grinned as he suggested all was not decided,' hinting at a potential return to the Tour. This contrast illustrates the excitement and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming race.
How we got here
The Tour de France is set to return to its traditional route after a year of adjustments for the Paris Olympics. Tadej Pogacar's recent dominance in cycling has set high expectations for the upcoming race.
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