Sunday, June 27, 2010

Tour Time

It's my favorite time of the year - Yes Summertime with long evenings and nearly an entire month of Le Tour de France...

This year the course is incredible, going in opposite directions from the past few previous years. They start out in Rotterdam, go through Belgium, graze just outside of Geneva at one point and end near Bordeaux before jetting back off to Paris for the ceremonies.

In my mind, what race gets so many people involved all around the world, in person and free of charge. I do not think there is any race which compares for spectator participation. One day I do hope to get back and see it again.


In case you cannot really read that map, here is a quick run down of the race.

The route

Running from Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010, the 97th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,642 kilometres.

These stages have the following profiles:
  • 1 prologue,
  • 9 flat stages,
  • 6 mountain stages and 3 summit finishes,
  • 4 medium mountain stages,
  • 1 individual time-trial stage (52 km).

Distinctive aspects of the race

  • le Tourmalet climbed twice,
  • a hint of the Classics and cobblestones,
  • 2 rest days,
  • 25 level 1, level 2 and highest level mountain passes.

11 new stage towns

Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, Bourg-de-Péage, Bourg-lès-Valence, Gueugnon, Longjumeau, Pamiers, Pauillac, Sisteron, Station des Rousses, Tournus, Wanze (Belgium).

4 comments:

  1. I'm excited the tour is coming through Brussels. I hope we will be able to see it!

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  2. To think that for the first time in my life, Jen, this Tour will be just a stone's throw away from us...and more than once...and we're avoiding it like the plague. Shame on us. The Saturday they start in Rotterdam (5 days from now), we will be heading south to SW France. We'll be in Bordeaux on Wednesday the 7th, long before they arrive, and will skirt them the rest of the way home. Sigh. I know you'd love to be here in our shoes. Needless to say, we'll think of you whenever the Tour comes up on our minds or lips!

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  3. Anonymous9:05 AM

    I never actually got to see it because they never come to Brittany!

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  4. Agree, this years tour will be a real tough one.
    I must reveal, I know the terrains - the whole route in fact.
    Can't remember a route with so many challenges. As I see it, only 3 of them are on flat land. Many etappes are very demaning - up and down hills all the time.

    Due to our vacation, we will not be able to follow the tour until July 13.
    I do think I've said it before: I've followed the Tour since 1967. (When I did work in Paris)
    And for the past years we have had very professional coverage on the Norwegian TV2.

    With other words, la Tour is more important for us than WC in Football;-)
    hugs
    T and A

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