2019 Tour de France: What weather is expected for this weekend's start?
Whether it's for a competition or through the wilderness, cyclists must take the weather into account before they ride.
The 2019 Tour de France kicks off in Brussels, Belgium, this weekend. While it will be warmer than normal, cyclists and spectators will not have to endure a repeat of last weekend's heat.
Stage 1 of the 2019 Tour de France begins with a relatively flat race with cyclists circling from Brussels to locations not far to the west and south then back to Belgium's capital.
Temperatures will be climbing to a high of near 26 C (78 F) for the first stage. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures can reach or crack 27 C (81 F).
Belgium's Greg Van Avermaet waves during the Tour de France cycling race teams presentation at the Grand Place in Brussels, on Thursday, July 4, 2019, ahead of upcoming Saturday's start of the race. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A high of 22 C (72 F) is more common in Brussels in early July, but Saturday will not be as hot as one week prior, when temperatures approached 32 C (90 F) on June 29.
Racers and spectators will want to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen with a mixture of clouds and sunshine anticipated. There will be a light breeze out of the west-northwest at 10-20 km/h (6-12 mph).
Stage 2 will follow on Sunday with a Team Time-Trial in Brussels and its suburbs.
"Nice conditions are expected for Sunday underneath a partly sunny sky," AccuWeather Meteorologist Bill Deger said. "Winds should not pose any additional challenges to the riders."
Seasonably cooler air will filter into Brussels for Sunday, holding temperatures to near 20 C (68 F).
However, cyclists and spectators will still need to protect themselves against the strong early-July sun.
The race will shift to northern France on Monday with continued pleasant weather.
Download the free AccuWeather app for more details on the weather expected in your community.
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