By Nick Butler

Chris Froome will be seeking to defend the title he won in 2013October 23 - A route consisting of six summit finishes, a stage largely on cobbled roads and just one time trial has been announced for the 2014 Tour de France that will wind its way from Leeds to Paris.


The 101st edition of the Tour is due to begin in Yorkshire on Saturday July 5 with three stages in Britain before travelling to France where it will remain, a slight deviation into Belgium notwithstanding, until the traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris 22 days later.

With a mountainous route including multiple summit finishes in both the Alps and the Pyrenees, the race looks set to be a showdown for the climbers.

While, in contrast to a traditionally gentle opening, the first two stages in Yorkshire are likely to pose one of the most challenging starts in the races illustrious history.

Although the race will also consist of the least amount of time trial kilometres in any Tour de France since 1936, the one 54-kilometres from Bergerac to Périgueux exception takes place on the penultimate stage so is likely to be race defining.

Britain's Chris Froome will hope to take advantage of home support in the early stages to defend the title he won in 2013.

He will face a stern challenge, however, from the likes of 2013 Giro D'Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali of Italy and Colombian climbing expert Nairo Quintana.

The route for the 2014 Tour de France starting in Leeds and ending in ParisThe route for the 2014 Tour de France starting in Leeds and ending in Paris



Froome is also likely to be concerned by stage five, which will commemorate the First World War by taking the riders over 15.4km laps from Ypres in Belgium to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut in France.

When a similar cobbles stage last took place in 2010, it was described by another possible contender next year, in 2012 champion Sir Bradley Wiggins, as "carnage".

Describing the challenging nature of the course, Tour race director Christian Prudhomme said "never before has the Tour de France climbed so high".

"In 2007 the Grand Depart in London was unforgettable but we hadn't expected to return just seven years later," he said.

"Yorkshire won us over with its beautiful landscapes and diversity of terrain for cyclists."

These sentiments about the British opening were echoed by Welcome To Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity.

"The tour riders will compete in a unique environment and stunning scenery, some of the most beautiful in Great Britain," he explained.

"They will need to be ready to stand up and fight.

"They will be encouraged and supported by millions of fans."