Organiser ASO unveiled the 103rd edition of the Tour de France today in Paris. LottoNL-Jumbo’s Robert Gesink, sixth this year, along with Sports Director Nico Verhoeven and General Manager Richard Plugge travelled to France’s capital to see the “tough” 2016 course.

The Tour begins on Saturday, July 2 in Normandy, includes 54 time trial kilometres, and climbs to four summit finishes. It enters the Pyrenees first and the Alps in the final week, with the climb to Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day a highlight.
 

"I'm going to study the route in detail, but at first glance, it looks like a tough tour," said classification rider Robert Gesink. "The mountain time trial [17km] is always hard, but do not underestimate the individual time trial of 37 kilometres. Also, maybe the descents will play a decisive role, like in the stage over the Joux Plane to Morzine. First, though, I’m going to sit quietly and study the route.”

Besides the four uphill finishes, the Tour counts 28 classified mountains with points on offers. That is three more than 2015’s edition. 

"This Tour is trickier than you may think. We have been given our homework, now we must study,” Verhoeven said after the presentation. "A 37-kilometre individual time trial to Pont d'Arc and a mountain time trial... That immediately strikes you. I also have to study the road book in detail, but we will build on the innovative steps we have taken this year in time trials. Along with Bianchi, we will look closely at the bikes for the  mountain time trial, which should not weigh a gram extra. Four uphill arrivals and some difficult descents... It is a challenging Tour."