The 2021 Cycling Season In Review

The autumn leaves are falling and just like that the 2021 road cycling season has come and gone. In this final episode of Aérogramme with La Course en Tête for 2021, we recap the year, sifting through the highs and lows, the winners and losers, and our favorite moments. The big question for 2021 is: Was it a classic season of professional cycling? There are many points to be made either way, with historical firsts, edge-of-your-seat moments of excitement, and, of course, moments that were less enthralling. We dive into some of the highlights, including the first women’s Paris–Roubaix and the new young generation of riders cementing their place atop the sport. But cycling never quite stops and there’s one final bit of news to discuss: the 2022 Tour de France routes. Yes, routes plural; the eight-stage Tour de France Femmes premieres in 2022. We take a look into what the next editions have in store, from the start in Denmark to the traditional finish in Paris, where the women’s race picks right up after the men’s as a standalone race. Where will the most exciting moments come from next year? There’s no shortage of contenders with a varied route that includes cobbles and plenty of climbs, including the fabled Alpe d’Huez. And before we sign off until the 2022 season begins, we have one more interview with Dave Brailsford, general manager of the Ineos Grenadiers. One of the biggest questions of the new season will be how his team, once nearly untouchable at the Tour de France, responds to the Tour’s newly dominant force, Tadej Pogačar. Can his team, which by no means had a bad year with a Giro d’Italia win and podium finishes in the other grand tour, rise to the occasion?