After major changes: Nobody knows what will happen at the Tour de France finale

The sprinters were usually celebrating at the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris. But there are major changes. And they could spell doom for the ultra-fast pros – or could they? The top stars of the overall standings have also been warned.

Sprinters don't have it easy at the Tour de France. Professional cyclists, including German Tour racers Phil Bauhaus and Pascal Ackermann, struggled through the Alps with great effort – and then, at the finale of the Tour de France on Sunday, they most likely won't face the traditional sprint finale on the Champs-Élysées. Or will they? "Nobody knows," Ackermann told the German Press Agency. "Nobody can predict," he added succinctly. "I'll definitely try. I don't know the mountain either; I've never ridden it before," said the Palatinate native.

Tour organizers from the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) have added three crossings of the hilly Parisian district of Montmartre to the final stage. Inspired by the road cycling race at last year's Olympic Games, the planners also want to use the change to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first time professional cyclists arrived on the Champs-Élysées.

Zimmermann complains: "The ASO squeezes us every day"

The crossings are each 1.1 kilometers long with an average gradient of 5.9 percent – likely too challenging for most sprinters. This could allow riders from a breakaway group to break through and steal the show from the fastest pros on the 21st stage after 132.5 kilometers.

The pros recently viewed the project with mixed feelings. "The ASO is squeezing every day to create a spectacle," said German professional cyclist Georg Zimmermann before the Tour – not yet aware that he wouldn't be experiencing the final chapter of this year's Tour on his bike. He had gotten off his bike before the tenth stage due to the effects of a crash. "I did enjoy dawdling into Paris," said the Augsburg native.

Pogacar doesn't want to take any risks

And does the traditional Tour d'Honneur – in which the general classification riders don't challenge the overall leader – still apply to Fast Tour winner Tadej Pogacar? The exceptional Slovenian rider Pogacar explained that there's no need to take any risks. "We'll see how the race goes. If we can be up there with the front, then we'll try. If not, then we want to enjoy Paris." He didn't compete at the Olympics last year.

Fans of breakaways will likely be delighted to annoy the sprinters. Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert is no exception: "Now with Montmartre, it's more of a classic race, even though it will be a short, explosive race. But it suits me," he told broadcaster Sporza. "I hope Pogacar doesn't get involved," he said. "To be honest, he doesn't seem very motivated anymore," the 30-year-old added.