Tour de France 2008

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Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres. These 21 stages have the following profiles: 10 flat, 5 mountain, 4 medium mountain stages and 2 individual time-trial stages. Distinctive aspects of the race are: 4 mountain finishes, 2 rest days, 82 kilometres of individual time-trials, 19 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed and 10 new stop-over towns: Auray, Aigurande, Brioude, Prato Nevoso (Italy), Cuneo (Italy), Jausiers, Embrun, Roanne, Cérilly, Étampes.

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Tour de France stage 1

Analysis from J_F. Pescheux, race director (3 Tours de France as a rider, 27 as an organizer)

For the first time since 1967, there will be no prologue to begin the battle. The pack will dive right into the race from the first kilometers of this hilly stage over the Monts d’Arrée, before fighting it out in the tough final kilometres and an arrival at the summit of the Côte de Cadoual, where climbers, escaped riders and attackers could all vie for the victory. With no time bonuses to be earned, the stage winner will put on the first yellow jersey of the 2008 Tour.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/100/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 05-07-2008
Until:: 05-07-2008
Location:: Brest-Plumelec 197.5 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 2

Analysis from Gilles Maignan (4 Tours de France as a rider, 6 as an organizer)

This stage will be short and tense on hilly roads featuring the climb up the Mur de Bretagne “wall”. Once again, escapee riders will be able to get right in with the sprinters for positions in the front line.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/200/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 06-07-2008
Until:: 06-07-2008
Location:: Auray-Saint-Brieuc 164.5 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 3

Analysis from Gilles Maignan (4 Tours de France as a rider, 6 as an organizer)

After a rolling early part of the stage along the banks of the Rance, through Dinan and Calorgen, where Bernard Hinault now lives, the pack will plunge into Brittany on straight and fast-riding roads to end at Nantes, the farthest point of the Loire area. This will be the first real chance the sprinters have at a stage win.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/300/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 07-07-2008
Until:: 07-07-2008
Location:: Saint-Malo > Nantes 208 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 4

Analysis from Gilles Maignan (4 Tours de France as a racer, 6 as an organizer)

This course is short and intense, but also smooth, so solitary specialists should take the first spots, yet without creating any significant time lead.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/400/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 08-07-2008
Until:: 08-07-2008
Location:: Cholet > Cholet 29.5 km (Individual time-trial)

Tour de France stage 5

Laurent Bezault (1 Tour de France as a racer, 14 as an organizer)

This will be the longest stage of the 2008 Tour. The underdogs of the previous time trial could attack on the straight, flat roads if the sprinters’ teams don’t lock up the field, putting their leaders in the front posts in a last chance to shine before the Alps.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/500/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 09-07-2008
Until:: 09-07-2008
Location:: Cholet > Châteauroux 232 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 6

Thierry Gouvenou (7 Tours de France as a rider, 4 as an organizer)

Crossing of the Massif Central will give a clearer view of the race. After less than one week of racing, the best riders will be able to measure up. The pack will encounter its first difficulties before the summit finish line at Super-Besse, where we’ll find out which riders are in the best shape.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/600/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 10-07-2008
Until:: 10-07-2008
Location:: Aigurande > Super-Besse 195.5 km (Medium mountains)

Tour de France stage 7

François Lemarchand (10 Tours de France as a rider, 5 as an organizer)

A short, but very nervy stage along the steep roads of the Massif Central. Climbing the Puy Mary before descending on to Aurillac could hold some interesting surprises. The riders need to be careful not to lose precious seconds.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/700/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 11-07-2008
Until:: 11-07-2008
Location:: Brioude > Aurillac 159 km (Medium mountains)

Tour de France stage 8

Jean-Michel Monin (Olympic track cycling champion, 8 Tours de France as an organizer)

This connecting stage to the Pyrenees has no major difficulties. Some riders will use this stage to recover from the Massif Central stages, but others might try hard to seize a last chance at a stage win before the mountains. The sprinters should be on the ready approaching Toulouse.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/800/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 12-07-2008
Until:: 12-07-2008
Location:: Figeac > Toulouse 172.5 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 9

Laurent Bezault (1 Tour de France as a rider, 14 as an organizer)

The big moves will start happening now with no less than three mountain passes – Col des Ares, Col de Peyresourdre et Col d’Aspin, and a very tough final descent to Bagnères-de-Bigorre.The climbers must take this opportunity to rise to the top of the overall placings.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/900/etape_par_etape.
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From:: 13-07-2008
Until:: 13-07-2008
Location:: Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre 224 km (High Mountains)

Tour de France stage 10

Thierry Gouvenou (7 Tours de France as a rider, 4 as an organizer)

A short, intense stage with the climb of the Tourmalet as a burst of fireworks and that of the Hautacam as the grand finale. The leading riders need be on top of the action to hold on to their chances of winning.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1000/etape_par_etape
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From:: 14-07-2008
Until:: 14-07-2008
Location:: Pau > Hautacam Argelès-Gazost 156 km (High Mountains)

Tour de France resting day

From:: 15-07-2008
Until:: 15-07-2008
Location:: Pau

Tour de France stage 11

François Lemarchand (10 Tours de France as a rider, 5 as an organizer)

A first time itinerary along the foothills of the Pyrenees. The pack will ride on hilly, twisting roads which will be full of surprises and should please the escapee riders. It won’t be a hard route, but the pace will be fast. Riders should try not to lose any time.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1100/etape_par_etape
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From:: 16-07-2008
Until:: 16-07-2008
Location:: Lannemezan > Foix 166 km (Medium mountains)

Tour de France stage 12

Jean-Michel Monin (Olympic track cycling champion, 8 Tours de France as an organizer)

This will be a fast-riding stage with a good chance that riders will tear through the kilometers at high speed under the impetus of the sprinters competing for the green jersey.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1200/etape_par_etape
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From:: 17-07-2008
Until:: 17-07-2008
Location:: Lavelanet > Narbonne 168 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 13

Laurent Bezault (1 Tour de France as a rider, 14 as an organizer)

As in the previous day’s stage, final sprint specialists will make it to the front to scrounge up a few extra points before reaching the Alps.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1300/etape_par_etape
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From:: 18-07-2008
Until:: 18-07-2008
Location:: Narbonne > Nîmes 182 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 14

Thierry Gouvenou (7 Tours de France as a rider, 4 as an organizer)

The pack will approach the Alps via winding and slightly steep routes. Race leaders will be cautious not to lose ground while those sprinters able make the last climbs easily could cause trouble at the finish line.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1400/etape_par_etape
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From:: 19-07-2008
Until:: 19-07-2008
Location:: Nîmes > Digne-les-Bains 182 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 15

François Lemarchand (10 Tours de France as a rider, 5 as an organizer)

The pack will attack its first high mountain stage in the Alps via the Durance Valley, leaving France to reach the Col de Larche and the Colle della Maddalena.The best riders will get sifted out in the 11 kilometers of the final climb to the Prato Nevoso ski resort. It will be a demanding stage that should bring out a real fight between hopefuls for the final victory in Paris.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1500/etape_par_etape
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From:: 20-07-2008
Until:: 20-07-2008
Location:: Digne-les-Bains > Prato Nevoso 216 km (High Mountains)

Tour de France resting day

From:: 21-07-2008
Until:: 21-07-2008
Location:: Cuneo

Tour de France stage 16

Jean-Michel Monin (Olympic track cycling champion, 8 Tours de France as an organizer)

In less than one week away from Paris, the race’s outcome won’t be final. This short stage, which brings the pack all the way to Jausiers, crossing the Col de la Lombarde and the Col de la Bonnette (the highest pass in Europe at over 2800 meters altitude), before a dizzying descent that should make for a spectacular finish between the top riders.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1600/etape_par_etape
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From:: 22-07-2008
Until:: 22-07-2008
Location:: Cuneo > Jausiers 157 km (High Mountains)

Tour de France stage 17

Analysis from Gilles Maignan (4 Tours de France as a rider, 6 as an organizer)

This is the last real chance for the climbers to take the lead in the overall placing before leaving the Alps, with the climb of the Galibier, the Croix de Fer and the final climb up the Alpe d’Huez. The race leaders will use the last cards in their hand to aim for the final victory.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1700/etape_par_etape
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From:: 23-07-2008
Until:: 23-07-2008
Location:: Embrun > L'Alpe-d'Huez 210 km (High Mountains)

Tour de France stage 18

Thierry Gouvenou (7 Tours de France as a rider, 4 as an organizer)

A few difficulties still remain through the hills of the Monts du Forez on the road to Saint-Etienne. Watch out for end-of-the race fatigue and long breakaways which could create suspense, just possibly shaking up the overall placings.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1800/etape_par_etape
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From:: 24-07-2008
Until:: 24-07-2008
Location:: Bourg-d'Oisans > Saint-Étienne 197 km (Medium mountains)

Tour de France stage 19

François Lemarchand (10 Tours de France as a rider, 5 as an organizer)

The sprinters will get their smiles, and legs, back in this somewhat flatter and faster-riding course across the Allier county.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/1900/etape_par_etape
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From:: 25-07-2008
Until:: 25-07-2008
Location:: Roanne > Montluçon 163 km (Plain)

Tour de France stage 20

Analysis from J-F. Pescheux, race director (3 Tours de France as a rider, 27 as an organizer)

This final individual time trial along rolling roads in the Allier and the Cher will fine-tune the individual and team overall placings. A last battle between the top riders could still take place here.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/2000/etape_par_etape
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From:: 26-07-2008
Until:: 26-07-2008
Location:: Cérilly > Saint-Amand-Montrond 53 km (Individual time-trial)

Tour de France stage 21 (Finish)

Analysis from J-F. Pescheux, race director (3 Tours de France as a rider, 27 as an organizer)

A hilly course to Paris winding through the Chevreuse Valley before the traditional loop on the Champs-Elysées, la Place de la Concorde and the rue de Rivoli. Once again, the strong men among the sprinters will fight it out for this prestigious stage win.

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/2100/etape_par_etape
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From:: 27-07-2008
Until:: 27-07-2008
Location:: Étampes > Paris Champs-Élysées 143 km

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