Tour de France 2017 Route stage 1: ITT in Düsseldorf (Ger)

Staturday, 1 July 2017 – At 14 kilometres, stage 1 in the 2017 Tour de France is a flat endeavour along the banks of the river Rhine in the centre of Düsseldorf. The course is similar to the start of the 2015 Tour de France in Utrecht, when Rohan Dennis powered to victory and the yellow jersey.

The starting ramp is in front of the Düsseldorf Messe.

The riders take off on the east side of the Rhine to head south-east. Near the Tonhalle they cross the river for a short section on the left bank before the Rheinkniebrücke takes them to the Königsallee, a famous shopping boulevard. Via the Tonhalle they storm in the opposite direction, once again along the Rhine, back to the Messe.

The 14 kilometres ITT is an entirely flat course on wide avenues. Perfect for the likes of Tony Martin.

The renowned electronic music band Kraftwerk hailed from Düsseldorf. In 2003 they released an album called Tour de France, which was recorded for the 100th anniversary of La Grande Boucle.