Stage 1


Grand Départ in Amiens in northern France. The first stage won't challenge the peloton, with 3 4th category climbs. So expect a sprinter to win this stage with finish in Reims.

Stage 2


A long TTT on day two will bring the first difference in the GC. In the first half there is a short hill, where it is important the better riders in the team don't immediately blow up their team mates. Because the way to Châlons along the Marne is long!

Stage 3


After the long TTT waits the longest stage in this Tour. Although it's mostly flat the road kicks up to around 8% for the final kilometer. A great chance for the punchers in the peloton, who specialize more in winning one-day races then lasting in a stage race. As it's still early in the Tour it will be their moment to shine. Or can the sprinters hang on?

Stage 4


Stage 4 will bring the peloton further east, skirting the northern edge of the Vosges. No rated climbs today, this short stage is flat and finishes in Strasbourg after 158 km

Stage 5


Stage 5 will see the first serious summits. After riding along the Rhine the peloton turns into the Vosges, climbing Le Schlossberg, Col de la Schlucht, Col de Bussang and the Ballon d'Alsace. Then it's a quick descent to Belfort for a finish after 207 km.

Stage 6


Stage 6 will run through easy terrain, with just three minor climbs in the way. The sprinters should be able to control the pack for a showdown towards the line, but the final 1.5 km in Dijon drag up at 2%.

Stage 7


A short, flat stage through the Saône valley will conclude the first week of racing. This is the last chance for sprinters for a while, because next will be the ITT and after that there are 3 Alpine stages. No difficulties today though.

Stage 8


With the Alps in sight it's time for an individual time trial. Heading west from Bourg-en-Bresse, this TT is pancake flat and 47 km long. A thing for the real specialists.

Stage 9


Stage 9 is the first of three Alpine stages. This one isn't as hard as the others will be, with only the Col de la Colombière and the Col de l'Aravis as 1st category climbs in the first half of the stage. In the second half the peoloton will slowly climb to Chamonix from where they will head to Switzerland passing the Col des Montets and the Col de la Forclaz to finish in Martigny.

Stage 10


Stage 10 is a true climbers stage, starting with the Great St. Bernard climb from Martigny in Switzerland. After the descent into Italy the peloton will head back to France through the Aosta valley and over the Small St. Bernard pass. Once down in France it's time for the final climb and the first mountain top finish on the Cormet de Roselend. 3 HC climbs today will surely test the riders with ambitions in the GC.

Stage 11


Stage 11 is this years queens-stage. With the Iseran, Galibier and Izoard there's three huge Alpine mountain passes to be climbed today. Look for clear signs about the possible Tour winner at the top of the Izoard.

Stage 12


Stage 12 sees the peloton leaving the Alps and moving towards the Mediterranean coast. But that won't be reached today. Along the descent the riders get two cols, of which one isn't placed too far from the finish line. It might give some sprinters pause after the hardships of mountain climbing. But those sprinters that still have the legs will surely want to sprint for this.

Stage 13


A very long stage today, while the start and finish place are only 80 km apart. But instead of sticking to the coast the peloton will make a big loop around Montpellier to the north-west. This brings them into tough terrain, although the hills are only up to 700 meters high. The up-and-down character of this stage will suit breakaway riders who have something in the tank.

Stage 14


As the 2nd week of racing nears its end the Pyrenées draw near. But the stage from Montpellier to Limoux will still be a sprinters chance, provided they survive the last rugged part before the descent into Limoux. But they will surely try as the next two days will bring only suffering for the fast men.

Stage 15


First Pyrenées stage in this Tour. The start is building slowly until the climb of the Col de Pailhères. After the descent into Ax-les-Thermes the peloton climbs into Andorra over the Port d'Envalira. In Andorra there will be another two climbs for the riders, the Col d'Ordino and the climb up to Arcalis, where the finish is.

Stage 16


The last mountain stage this year has 6 cols. The final two will especially challenge the peloton and the ambitious team captains. With the Port de Bales before the final ascent to the Col de Peyresourde the GC fight will surely be raging.

Stage 17


As the Tour progresses the profiles become harder. In this third week all the flat stages will have broken up profiles, like this stage from Toulouse to Souillac. Finishing in a small town at the river Dordogne, there's a short but steep climb just before the finish. Sprinters who want this will have to be strong after almost 3 weeks of racing.

Stage 18


Continuing north the peloton skirts the foothills of the Central Massif. This results in a bumpy ride along the rivers Corrèze and Vienne. After a whole day of riding up and down the finish will be in Limoges, where the roads aren't flat either. The final kilometer doesn't have a high gradient, but the 2-4% can be enough to decide the winner after a day in the saddle.

Stage 19


Stage 19 is perfect for breakaway riders. Turning towards the Massif Central the terrain gets more rugged. The constant up and down ends in the quick descent towards Clermont-Ferrand. After going through the center the peloton has to climb back up a way to the suburb of Royat, on part of the way of tomorrows time trial.

Stage 20


The final time trial ascending the Puy de Dôme will finalize the GC in the 5th mountain top finish. The last 4 km are especially hard, with over 10% gradients.

Stage 1


Stage 2


Stage 3


Stage 4


Stage 5

Stage 1


Stage 2


Stage 3


Stage 4


Stage 5


Stage 6