>The notion of dramatising the set-pieces extends to the Grand Departs, which have begun to conform to a pattern under Gouvenou’s stewardship. He has overseen launches in Yorkshire, Utrecht, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, the Basque Country and Tuscany, amidst the traditional French openings.

>Conversations constantly arise over whether the Tour could support a Grand Depart on the East Coast of the United States, but Gouvenou is sceptical, raising issues with the logistics, rider welfare, and speculating that the wider roads in the United States may make designing unpredictable stages more challenging.

>“Personally, I would rather see it finish there,” he considers. “There’s such a significant time difference and it’s better for the riders going to the United States rather than back to Europe.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6464971/2025/07/03/tour-de-france-route-designer-interview/