09 / 2024 — — 47 ŠKODA TOUR DE LUXEMBOURG T here’s good news for cycling fans. The Škoda Tour, the official name of the Tour du Luxembourg, is back from 18 to 22 September, and this year, the start and finish will take place in the heart of the capital! The organising committee, led by Andy Schleck – a former professional cyclist – and Benoît Theisen, has planned five stages for the 2024 edition, including a grand starting point in Place Guillaume II, a time trial in Differdange and a brand-new finish of the first stage at the Marché-aux-Poissons, in the heart of the city. A GREAT EVENT “At the end of each race, we already start thinking about the next one,” explains Benoît Theisen, general secretary of the organising committee. Defining the start and finish points, while at the same time devising a route that will be of interest to the cyclists, is no mean feat. “Organising a race of this kind is always full of unforeseen events and hosting stages in September in the heart of the city centre, when holidaymakers are back at work and children back at school, requires excellent coordination with the City’s various departments,” continues Theisen. “We work closely with the traffic, public transport and police departments to ensure that everyone can coexist during the race.” Every year, more and more volunteers are mobilised to secure the circuit as the riders pass through. “Additional protection and safeguards are also installed along the route,” adds Theisen, who is hoping that the spectators will turn out in force to support the world’s best cyclists as they make their way along the roads of the Grand Duchy. And there’s plenty of suspense in store as to who will win the five-day race. WHO WILL SUCCEED SWITZERLAND’S MARC HIRSCHI? After its founding in 1935, and until the early 1980s, the Škoda Tour was mainly dominated by cyclists from Luxembourg, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that the event took on an international dimension with the arrival of Russian, Swiss and Danish riders. Since then, some big names have made their mark on the roads of the Grand Duchy, including Bernard Hinault, Frank Vandenbroucke and Greg Van Avermaet. Luxembourg remains the most successful country in the competition however, with 21 victories, ahead of Belgium (17 wins) and the Netherlands (11 wins). “The Škoda Tour earned its place in the UCI ProSeries, the second division of international cycling, four years ago. As a City, we are very proud to be able to welcome once again such a renowned event to the capital,” says Simone Beissel, the City’s alderwoman for sport. This year, some 20 teams composed of six cyclists will be competing in the Grand Duchy and in the capital to succeed Swiss rider Marc Hirschi who won last year’s competition. Whether you’re with family or friends, don’t miss the 2024 edition of the race, which promises to be full of excitement! JOÃO PEDRO GONÇALVES ALMEIDA FR João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida est un coureur portugais de 24 ans, membre de l’équipe UAE Team Emirates. Spécialiste des courses par étapes, il remporte le Tour de Pologne et le Škoda Tour de Luxembourg en 2021 et se classe troisième et Meilleur Jeune du Giro d’Italia en 2023. Il est également champion du Portugal sur route en 2022 et du contre-la-montre en 2021 et 2023. EN João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida is a 24-year-old Portuguese cyclist and member of the UAE Team Emirates. A stage race specialist, he won the Tour of Poland and the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg in 2021 and came third in the Giro d’Italia in 2023 as well as donning the white jersey of Best Young Rider. He was also Portuguese road race champion in 2022 and time-trial champion in 2021 and 2023. FR Andy Schleck, président du Škoda Tour de Luxembourg depuis 2017 et ancien cycliste professionnel, avec, à gauche, le Luxembourgeois Mats Wenzel, 20 ans, qui s’est emparé du maillot de Meilleur Grimpeur pour son premier Tour de Luxembourg en 2023, et au milieu, Marc Hirschi, le vainqueur de l’édition 2023. EN Andy Schleck, president of Škoda Tour de Luxembourg since 2017 as well as a former professional cyclist, with, on the left, 20-year-old Luxembourg cyclist Mats Wenzel, who took the jersey for Best Climber at his first Tour de Luxembourg in 2023. In the middle is Marc Hirschi, winner of the 2023 edition. EN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjMxNDYwNA==