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'It's a question of resetting the balance' – Tour de France boss namechecks Bradley Wiggins and Federico Bahamontes to explain major increase in time trialling on 2027 route

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has defended the 2027 route, which features 71 total kilometers of time trialling, against claims that the design is intended to hinder Tadej Pogacar. The course includes a 38-kilometer test on stage 7 and a 33-kilometer stage 11, marking the highest volume of individual racing against the clock in 15 years.

Prudhomme stated that the decision aims to restore a competitive equilibrium between specialists and climbers, drawing historical parallels to the rivalry between Federico Martin Bahamontes and Jacques Anquetil. He noted that while Remco Evenepoel currently excels in time trials, the goal is to maintain suspense by ensuring that no single athlete dominates across all terrains.

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