Without the Alpe d'Huez, Col du Galibier or Mont Ventoux, the 2027 Tour de France will rely on other names to decide the overall classification. Lance Armstrong, Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin have analyzed the route that's been revealed this Thursday.

“When you think of France, there are probably five iconic climbs—a sort of ‘Grand Slam’ of mountains," Armstrong said on The Move podcast. Out of the huge names, only the Col du Tourmalet is present on the route of next year's Tour.

But the American does not believe that it will be overly relevant on stage 18, the day where it is placed. “If you place it in the middle of a stage, can you really tick the box? Does it count? No".

The race has favoured the long time trials and the addition of plenty sprint stages, breaking the trend of the Tour's recent years. The Alps notably only have two stages, featuring some ascents that are less used in the race in a decisive fashion.

“When it comes to iconic climbs, you don’t necessarily have to go to Alpe d'Huez every single year. Perhaps it’s not possible—maybe the region says they need a break. I don’t know.”

Profile of stage 18 of the 2027 Tour de France, its queen stage

Col du Portet could take the spotlight

Spencer Martin pointed out that the big-name climbs are not a mandatory feature at the Tour, giving the example of the Plateau de Solaison and how it proved to be a key point of this year's edition.

For the 2027 race, that could be the Col du Portet, placed at the end of the Tour's queen stage with 5300 meters of elevation. In total, the climb is 16 kilometers long at almost 9%.

"When we talk about it in July and look at the details of those climbs, we might well say: ‘Wow—nine kilometers at 9.5 percent! We didn’t see that coming.’”

What influence will the Alps have?

Johan Bruyneel was quick not to ignore the Alps. Stage 9 will finish on the Grand Colombier in the Jura; stage 10 will finish in Sallanches after featuring several steep climbs - and the Côte de Domancy, which will headline the World Championships.

Stage 11 will be a more classic high mountains day capable of making large differences, with plenty difficult climbs and a plateau finishes at Le Saisies after climbing the Montée de Bisanne.

“The Col des Saisies is also a very tough climb from this side. The same goes for the Grand Colombier—that’s a genuinely difficult climb, too," Bruyneel added. "It may not be world-famous, but it’s a beautiful ascent, packed with hairpin bends".