Canadian cyclist Derek Gee-West will begin his second Tour de France on Saturday, competing as the sole Canadian rider among 184 cyclists in the race’s 113th edition. The 28-year-old from Ottawa, riding for the Lidl-Trek team, faces a demanding three-week event that covers approximately 3,320 kilometres, starting with a team time trial in Barcelona and concluding in Paris.

The race route comprises 21 stages, including seven flat stages, four hilly ones, and eight mountain stages featuring five summit finishes. Among its most notable challenges are the climbs through five mountain ranges: the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, Jura, and Alps. The route demands a total vertical ascent of about 53,950 metres, making it the third-highest elevation gain in the past two decades. It also incorporates an individual time trial and two rest days.

Gee-West described the race as “kind of enjoyable” despite anticipating significant physical strain. He noted that riders often find a rhythm during the event but that the full toll becomes apparent after the race ends. Early on, the riders will face the Category 1 Col de Toses on Stage 3, and the high-profile Alpe d’Huez climb features in both Stages 19 and 20. The latter, considered the queen stage, includes 5,600 metres of vertical gain and serves as a grueling lead-in to the final day in Paris.

The Canadian rider, who excelled in climbing during the Giro d’Italia in May by finishing fifth overall and runner-up on the queen stage, could emerge as a contender on the mountains. Originally set to focus solely on the Giro, he was added to the Lidl-Trek Tour squad late, replacing Italy’s Giulio Ciccone. His strong Giro performance came despite battling a virus and surviving a major crash. Gee-West said his body has held up well since that endurance test.

Lidl-Trek looks to Spain’s Juan Ayuso and Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose for general classification leadership, but Gee-West anticipates opportunities to showcase his abilities, especially in the climbs. The team’s roster also includes Spain’s Carlos Verona, Czech rider Mathias Vacek, Latvia’s Toms Skujins, American Quinn Simmons, and Dane Mads Pedersen.

Adding to Lidl-Trek’s prospects is Gee-West’s recent individual time trial victory at the Canadian championships in late June, which could benefit the team in the opening time trial.

Among the race favourites is Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The 27-year-old, a four-time Tour winner and champion of the past two editions, aims to become a five-time winner—joining legendary cyclists such as Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain. Pogacar enters the race in strong form, having won multiple stage races and one-day classics this year.

Other contenders include Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, the 2022 and 2023 Tour winner who recently secured a Giro d’Italia victory, Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, the 2024 Olympic road race champion, and rising French talent Paul Seixas.

Gee-West, now based in Andorra with his wife Ruby West, whom he married last October, acknowledged the Tour’s unique scale and prestige. Since joining Lidl-Trek in January following a split from Israel-Premier Tech, he has praised the team’s organization and support.

As the Tour de France unfolds over three challenging weeks, Derek Gee-West aims to contribute to Lidl-Trek’s success while seeking moments to demonstrate his climbing strengths on cycling’s grandest stage.