The organizers of the Tour de France know their business.  For the traditional presentation of the next year’s vintage, hardly a false note was played. The event unveiling the 2016 edition is ready proof of their dexterity. Under the arch-roof of the Palais des Congrès in Paris, Christian Prudhomme, cycling director for the Amaury Sport Organisation, found the perfect words; the former sports journalist for France Television lifted the veil for the route of the 2016 Tour de France, and thereby confirmed the rumors that there would be a stage finish and a rest day in Bern before heading for an epic summit finish at the dam of Emosson / Finhaut

Michel Thétaz, founder of IAM Cycling and the CEO of IAM Funds, was also present for this great event and applauded the efforts of the Bernese authorities and the organizing committee of the resort in his home canton. 

“It’s a feeling of deep satisfaction to see that Switzerland will greatly benefit from the internationalization of the Tour de France this coming year.  Of course there will be the stage finish in Bern and the rest day there as well.  Then with the excitement and emotion of having the finish at Emosson, I’d love to see Mathias Frank break into the top-5.  As usual, this will be a difficult Tour de France with a fair amount of climbing, but also more opportunities for the sprinters.  And since Mathias is continuing to progress, I have no reason to doubt that he has the ability to achieve this lofty goal.”

Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for the Swiss team, was also satisfied with the proposed route, though the team’s leader Mathias Frank had to stay at home due to the fact he is suffering from a cold. 

“As usual, we are going to be treated to a beautiful Tour de France, with a fantastic starting stage at Mont-Saint-Michel.  We are also returning to the tradition of having the first three or four stages favoring the sprinters before we start to face more mountainous terrain. With two time trials including one in the mountains, I think Mathias Frank is likely to confirm his 8th place from this past year.  And we have a good chance to play well for the sprint finishes, which is why we will choose to bring who proves to be the best between Matteo Pelucchi and Jonas Vangenechten."  

As the day after the football game won on penalties between the Rest of the World versus France, Simon Pellaud first talked over his impressions of the route with Pinot, Bardet, and his teammate Clément Chevrier.  Pellaud admitted first that the Grande Boucle should not yet be assumed to be on his program for the coming year. 

“I’ve had stars in my eyes all day.  This is the first time that I have been mingling with the stars of the peloton.  And I still will have them next July especially with the finish at Emosson.  Like today, I will simply be a spectator there because even if my dream remains to take part in the Tour, we must not rush things.  I still need to mature and progress before throwing myself into such a difficult and demanding event.”