Credits to Sotd for the preview. Posting on his behalf...
Bienvenue sur le Tour de France!
The Grandmaster of cyclingraces, the Grand Tour, the place to be, the Tour de France. Where the biggest histories are written.
World Champion Silvio Herklotz won the most recent edition of the Tour de France - will he be back to defend the title? Well maybe - A lot surely depends on the route. Let's give it a look!
The history books hold Angel Madrazo, Simon Spilak and Andy Schleck tied with 2 wins each, only Madrazo can realistically go for a 3rd, but riders such as Taaramäe and Pluchkin might have one last big push in them to get a place in the history books themselves. Or will we see a new name on the top step of the biggest race in the world?
Week 1: Watch our for stage 2!
This years edition of the Tour de France starts in Olonne-Sur-Mer, and the first week seems pretty uneventful until you start looking a bit closer.
Stage 1 to Redon is a classic Tour de France stage. Fairly long, very flat and very uninteresting. Surely the sprinters disagree as the yellow jersey is at stake though!
Stage 2 As we head out from Lorient everything seems quiet and much could look like a repeat from yesterdays sprint finish. But the stage ends suddenly after a climb up the Mur-de-Bretagne! This isn't one for the fainthearted, and some of the GC riders aswell as puncheurs will be looking at the chance to keep the yellow jersey for some time winning this one. Could this be the reachout for Herklotz to come back?
Stage 4 However is made for the sprinters. Not a doubt in my mind, as the riders take the long journey from Le Mans all the way to Chateauroux.
Stage 5 Takes its start in Aigurande and with it's bumps heads towards Super-Bessy Sancy where we are likely to see some action. Don't let the breakaway riders get too much of leesh here otherwise they may steal the cake! If not, this is another mixture of supreme puncheurs and GC riders.
Stage 6 to Saint-Flour seems like an impossible task to control. It's up and down all day, but not hard enough to cause big selections I would imagine. A reasonably sized group would love the looks of this one!
Stage 7 The final stage of week 1 goes from Samatan to Pau, which have often been home to some breakaway wins. As we head into the mountains shortly I would expect the sprinters to make the most from it though.
Week 2: Directly into the mountains
Stage 8 guns off in Pau and through the mountains ends in the vally of Bagneres-de-Luchon. 4 difficult mountains to surpass before ending in a semi-difficult downhill towards the line. If the GC riders haven't made their mark on the race just yet they will now. Despite being a downhill finish I suspect only the very strongest and potential racewinners will be able to fight for the win here. And the winner of the stage, may very well be leading the race too.
Stage 9 is another mountainstage, ending on Peyragudes! The stage is relatively short, and with a big mountain early on, many sprinters will have a mark on this stage as one to fight through. The ascent to Peyragudes is long and tough. There is a very short descent halfway up the mountain before we more up again to the flat plateau of the line. It's unlikely to have much of an effect unless a small group reach the line together, otherwise expect every man for himself here.
Stage 10 From Muret to Rodez we are likely to see the breakaway riders take control again. A semi hard stage makes the sprinters look away, and the GC riders take a breather.
Stage 11 While Rodez as a finish would be one for the break this towards Mende can go in multiple directions. The stage starts with a slow rise which should ensure the breakway is formed easily, while a long flat run-in to the final ensures the peloton have an easy catch if they want. The final could be for the GC riders, but also the hardhitters from the ardennes will love this stage.
Stage 12 Look back at stage 18 of the Vuelta to see what this final can do. We head towards Ax 3 Domains just like in the Vuelta. Where the spanish race have a difficult stage all around, this one is flat until the fireworks begin. A long and tiring day in the saddle, and then two powerful mountains to see who's still alive.
Stage 13 From Saint Girons to Bagneres de Bigorre you can't really avoid the mountains - but why should you? 5 mountain tops is on the menu here while the finish is rather discouraging having just ridden Ax 3 Domains the previous day. If strong riders have already lost a lot of time, this is a monumental stage for them as not only the stage win, but also the KOM jersey and possible valuable time is at stake. I could see a scenario where the GC riders doesn't make the most while the breakaway does.
Stage 14 Tomblaine allow the riders to start on the final day of week 2, and we move towards La Planche des Belles Filles. This might on paper be a hilly stage, but don't kid yourself. Unless the breakaway get's a lot of time, this finish is for the GC riders!
Week 3: Up and down, up and down
Stage 15 kicks off in Belfort, where the up and down towards Porrentruy begins. It's a perfect chance for the breakaway specialists to claim a win before we move up too high.
Stage 16 to Lyon is reasonably easy stage ending with a couple of small but sharp hills in the final. I wouldn't entirely rule out the well rounded sprinters, but this late in the race things could just as well go to the breakaway. For the GC riders this is one last chance to stretch the legs before heading into the final.
Stage 17 Starts in Macon and ends in the valleys of Bellegard-sur-Valserine, but to get down you have to get up first, and the 3 summit stage should be a good legfreshener for the GC riders. The stage is unlikely to cause havok, but could be a solid chance for the KOM competitors to move ahead and maybe spice things up with a stage win.
Stage 18 from Albertville to Le Sybelles is the perfect mountainstage. 4 big big climbs is on offer on the 144km long route, which will make the Champs Elysees eager sprinters shiver. There's no hiding on a stage like this and you could win the race with a big shout here - but more likely will a couple of riders lose out on their chance for glory!
Stage 19 Will see us ride from Gap to the most iconic mountain in the world - the Alpe d'Huez! The mythical mountain have a great history of creating the race and this time will be no different. Only the best riders can win here. And it's the last chance!
Stage 20 Invites us to the first and only mano y mano contest, as the 38km flat timetrial shoots off in Arc-et-Senans and finish in Besancon. At this late in the race we are likely to see a mixture of classic timetriallists and GC riders fighting for the win. If you are within striking distance of an opponent in the GC this could be a very bad day for you. Likewise could the TT give the final edge and help you win the race!
