2018 La Course Race Preview
The details of this year's 2018 La Course are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The 2018 edition of La Course by Le Tour de France returns to the streets of Paris for what promises to be another thrilling conclusion to a race that has grown considerably in prestige since its inception in 2014. Taking place on the Champs-Élysées circuit on the final day of the Tour de France, the race will once again provide an electric atmosphere as thousands of spectators line the famous avenue to watch the best female cyclists in the world compete for one of the sport's most coveted one-day prizes.
The defending champion is Annemiek van Vleuten, who delivered a dominant performance in 2017 to claim the title in convincing fashion. The Dutch powerhouse arrives in Paris having enjoyed another remarkable season and will be among the favourites to retain her crown. Her combination of raw power and tactical intelligence makes her a constant threat on any course, and the Champs-Élysées circuit, with its gentle undulations and cobbled surface, suits her all-round capabilities well.
However, van Vleuten will face fierce competition from a formidable field. Marianne Vos, arguably the greatest female cyclist of her generation, is always a name to watch in races of this nature. Her sprinting ability and race craft give her an edge in a finale that could come down to a bunch sprint, and she will be looking to add another prestigious victory to her already extraordinary palmarès.
The Champs-Élysées format typically favours riders who can handle repeated efforts over the multiple laps of the circuit, meaning pure sprinters will need to survive any late attacks from the puncheurs before the finish line. Teams will be working hard in the closing laps to control the race and position their leaders for a winning move, making tactical racing just as important as raw physical strength.
World Tour teams will be present in force, and the atmosphere generated by the Tour de France crowds gives La Course a unique energy that few other races on the women's calendar can match.
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