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Tour de France 2008 - unveiled
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:23
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Balaverde wrote:
issoisso wrote:
every year when there is a defending champion, the route is almost always (intentionally or not) one that benefits the strengths of that same rider.
Somebody didn't watch Lance in his strive for more tour titles, I reckon!
huh?
the TTT was always there despite everyone claiming it was a huge advantage for him. the moment he retired, it was taken out.
the individual time trials were always extremely long, except for 2004. there were never many transitional stages in a row so a strong team would have no trouble controlling the race.
I'm not saying it was intentional, but it sure seems to me that it hardly ever went against him. anyway, I'm not talking just about lance. it seems to be all the time.
Dankan wrote:
It seems that the Jausiers stage will feature two HC climbs: the Col de Pradarena and the Cime de la Bonette.
again, both names mean nothing to me. I'll try to find something on them
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:27
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well, I've checked the Tours all the way back to 94 and there's no mention of those climbs being used
elsewhere I've found the Bonette to be 25.6km @ 6.4km
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 10:27
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| Balaverde |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:40
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Domestique
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issoisso wrote:
huh?
the TTT was always there despite everyone claiming it was a huge advantage for him. the moment he retired, it was taken out.
the individual time trials were always extremely long, except for 2004. there were never many transitional stages in a row so a strong team would have no trouble controlling the race.
I'm not saying it was intentional, but it sure seems to me that it hardly ever went against him. anyway, I'm not talking just about lance. it seems to be all the time.
Dankan wrote:
It seems that the Jausiers stage will feature two HC climbs: the Col de Pradarena and the Cime de la Bonette.
again, both names mean nothing to me. I'll try to find something on them
You say that they made the route TT-ish in order to decrease his chances???
Obviously, you don't remember that the only one (Beloki had a shot but crashed) the tour directors saw as a possible new winner, was even more of a time-trialer - Jan Ullrich.
He almost took it when he rode for Bianchi. Armstrong had him in the mountains, thus he needed a TT route. And I think you exaggerate the criticism against the TTT's. |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:48
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Balaverde wrote:
You say that they made the route TT-ish in order to decrease his chances???
no, I said the exact opposite, but judging by the rest of your post, it seems you understood that.
Balaverde wrote:
Obviously, you don't remember that the only one (Beloki had a shot but crashed) the tour directors saw as a possible new winner, was even more of a time-trialer - Jan Ullrich.
He almost took it when he rode for Bianchi. Armstrong had him in the mountains, thus he needed a TT route. And I think you exaggerate the criticism against the TTT's.
Ullrich beat Armstrong in a TT only once throughout all the Tours. the one time in 2003 when Armstrong's hip jumped out of alignment and he had to be carried down a flight of stairs because he could barely walk. so yes, the TTs were to Armstrong's advantage.
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 10:49
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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Posted on 24-11-2024 05:46
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:49
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issoisso wrote:
actually I was laughing at the idea. TTT, then a final quarter of just one guy alone? stupid idea
Yet years later similar events have been made popular on the track 
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| Balaverde |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:50
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issoisso wrote:
Ullrich beat Armstrong once throughout all the Tours. the one time in 2003 when Armstrong's hip jumped out of alignment and he had to be carried down a flight of stairs because he could barely walk. so yes, the TTs were to Armstrong's advantage.
But the mountains saw him triumph even more! The whole idea of a Tour de France was to Lance Armstrong advantage!
Edited by Balaverde on 25-10-2007 10:59
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 10:56
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they could have taken out the TTT, put more transitional stages in a row to make it difficult to control the race, among others. anyway, why are you making this just about Lance? the whole point was far from it.
also, you made a mistake with the quote. you said that, not me 
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 10:56
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| Balaverde |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:02
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I take it you don't take 2007 into consideration?
I don't think that the tour planners benefit the defending champion.
Often on the contrary, to make it a more exciting race. |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:03
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Balaverde wrote:
I take it you don't take 2007 into consideration?
huh??
that makes absolutely no sense. there was no defending champion this year.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| Balaverde |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:05
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That's why I wrote "I take it..." - since it's an odd year to analyze on... |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:06
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ah yes. 2006 as well.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:07
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anyway, back to the matter at hand: route unveiled in 22 minutes 
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:28
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The Tour de France will be a Grand Tour of modest terms for 2008. As this year's route is being presented in Paris, Cyclingnews has confirmed that there will be no transfers in the 3554 kilometres that make up next year's three-week race, July 5 to 27.
"Sometimes less is more in a Grand Tour," noted Quick.Step Team Manager Patrick Lefevere in Paris.
The race kicks off on Saturday, July 5, with its Grand Départ in the cycling-rich province of Brittany. It then travels in a counter-clockwise motion, hitting the Pyrénées and then the Alps before its traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées, Sunday, July 27, in Paris.
Keeping in its modest terms, the 95th edition will contain one time trial of 29 kilometres in Cholet and a second one -- of normal Tour length -- on the penultimate day of 53 kilometres, from Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond.
"Maybe I might have to modify my training a little," Cadel Evans, second in the 2006 Tour, said to Cyclingnews when he heard of the minimal time trial kilometres.
The modesty of the world's largest bike race will be forgotten when riders hit the high peaks near Spain and Italy. Planned is a return to Hautacam, a romp up the 2802-metre Col de la Bonnette-Restefonds and the mythical Alpe d'Huez. The demanding mountains and minimal time trials will make a 2008 Tour de France that favours the mountain men.
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 11:30
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:32
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so, distinctly "meh". only points of note: no TTT, one shorter ITT and the highest climb in europe ever used for cycling.
I was actually expecting this. I'm looking forward much more to the Giro and Vuelta routes.
the Giro because after an insanely hard route last year and a couple of brutal climbs this year, i want to see what they do for an encore. and the Vuelta because Victor Cordero has said multiple times that the Anglirú will be back either 2008 or 2009.
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 11:33
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| doddy13 |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:50
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| doddy13 |
Posted on 25-10-2007 11:50
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Étape Type Date Départ et arrivée Distance Détails
1 Plaine samedi 5 juillet BrestPlumelec 195 km
2 Plaine dimanche 6 juillet AuraySaint-Brieuc 165 km
3 Plaine lundi 7 juillet Saint-MaloNantes 195 km
4 Contre-la-montre individuel mardi 8 juillet CholetCholet 29 km
5 Plaine mercredi 9 juillet CholetChâteauroux 230 km
6 Moyenne montagne jeudi 10 juillet AigurandeSuper-Besse Sancy 195 km
7 Moyenne montagne vendredi 11 juillet BrioudeAurillac 158 km
8 Plaine samedi 12 juillet FigeacToulouse 174 km
9 Haute montagne dimanche 13 juillet ToulouseBagnères-de-Bigorre 222 km
10 Haute montagne lundi 14 juillet PauHautacam 154 km
- Repos mardi 15 juillet Pau
11 Moyenne montagne mercredi 16 juillet LannemezanFoix 166 km
12 Plaine jeudi 17 juillet LavelanetNarbonne 168 km
13 Plaine vendredi 18 juillet NarbonneNîmes 182 km
14 Plaine samedi 19 juillet NîmesDigne-les-Bains 182 km
15 Haute montagne dimanche 20 juillet Digne-les-BainsPrato Nevoso 216 km
- Repos lundi 21 juillet Cuneo
16 Haute montagne mardi 22 juillet CuneoJausiers 157 km
17 Haute montagne mercredi 23 juillet EmbrunL'Alpe-d'Huez 210 km
18 Moyenne montagne jeudi 24 juillet Bourg-d'OisansSaint-Étienne 197 km
19 Plaine vendredi 25 juillet RoanneMontluçon 163 km
20 Contre-la-montre individuel samedi 26 juillet CérillySaint-Amand-Montrond 53 km
21 Plaine dimanche 27 juillet ÉtampesParis Champs-Élysées 143 km
There's no point slapping a schleck - Sean Kelly on "Who needs a slap"
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 12:32
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about the climbs:
Stage 9 isn't all that tough, and most of the favorites should be there at the end. just like the first mountain stage this year. Col des Ares, and the extremely over-used Peyresourde and Aspin, for the (I believe) third year in a row.
stage 10 is very tough. short with just two climbs, but the first is that brutal thing called the Tourmalet, and then Hautacam isn't a picnic either
Stage 15 to Italy has only the Maddalena and the climb to Prato Nevoso. not one of the toughest, but another chance for the climbers.
Stage 16 is short with only two climbs but both are extremely long and the second one tops out at almost 2900 metres. the highest pass used in european cycling. it's been 15 years since the Tour used it.
Stage 17 is a doozie. Galibier and Croix-de-Fer, just like the 2006 queen stage, but then instead of a final climb to La Toussuire, it's the Alpe d'Huez. it's "going out with a bang", basically.
should be interesting
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 12:33
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| Dankan |
Posted on 25-10-2007 12:41
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It suits Conta well. |
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| Nicholas |
Posted on 25-10-2007 13:01
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And also Valverde At least better than this years route. |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 25-10-2007 13:30
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Dankan wrote:
It suits Conta well.
yup. but then again, if there's no tailwind on the 29km TT, the results should be the same as this year's final TT (in which there was a tailwind so the differences were far smaller). so it balances out.
I'm thinking Contador, Evans and Rasmussen, and I'm waiting to see how Valverde bounces back.
Edited by issoisso on 25-10-2007 13:30
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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