Lille/Prague, July 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: Czech cyclist Pavel Bittner is set to make his debut at the 2024 Tour de France, becoming the only rider from Czechia to take part in the world’s most-watched annual sporting event. The 22-year-old sprinter will represent team Picnic PostNL when the race kicks off this Saturday in Lille with a relatively flat opening stage, well-suited to his strengths.
Bittner, who has focused this season on sprint finishes and fast-paced classics, is optimistic about the opportunity to make his mark in the Tour’s early stages. “Overall, this year I have been focusing more on sprints and fast-paced classics. I have improved a lot in that area,” he noted.
The 112th edition of the Tour begins with ten consecutive stages before the first rest day, as the traditional Monday pause is replaced due to Bastille Day festivities in France. While Bittner’s team is not targeting the overall general classification, with stars like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard leading that charge, Picnic PostNL will focus on individual stage victories.
In particular, Bittner is eyeing sprint finishes, supported by Danish teammate Tobias Lund Andersen. “Myself and Tobias Lund will be there. We already know each other for some time, so we will be leading out each other’s sprints. If it’s a more heavy finish, he’ll be the designated sprinter. If it’s a faster finish, it’s on me.”
The Czech sprinter gained international attention last year after winning Stage 5 of the 2024 Vuelta a España, defeating Belgian star Wout van Aert in a dramatic photo finish. That victory marked him as a rising talent in the cycling world and helped pave the way for his inclusion in the Tour de France squad.
While Bittner is no stranger to Grand Tour success, he admits the Tour de France holds unique prestige: “The way I am, I usually don’t realize how big the race is until I get there, but it’s something every rider dreams about. Probably the pinnacle of cycling.”
Bittner is the first pure sprinter from Czechia to start the Tour de France since Ján Svorada in 2002. Svorada, a legendary figure in Czech cycling, claimed three Tour stage victories during his career in 1994, 1998, and 2001.
The 2024 Tour de France will consist of 21 stages, culminating in a ceremonial finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Due to the upcoming Olympic Games, last year’s finale was relocated. In that edition, Jan Hirt was Czechia’s sole participant, finishing 67th overall as a support rider for Remco Evenepoel at Soudal Quick-Step.
With high hopes and proven sprinting credentials, Pavel Bittner now takes center stage as Czechia’s newest hope at cycling’s most iconic race.
