The first of the Alpine mountain stages with the giant and scenic Col d’Allos and then the very difficult descent before the climb to Pra Loup, the ski resort where Eddy Merckx cracked and lost the Tour de France.
Into the Alps
Legend has it that Saint Martin was moved by a beggar suffering in the cold and he cut his cloak in half to give the poor man some protection. The ski resort of La Pierre Saint Martin might be named after the saint but the scenes last Tuesday were the diametric opposite as Chris Froome took no pity on those hoping to get a share of his golden tunic in the baking heat.
Tour Stage 16 Preview
201km and the first of the Alpine stages. The Col de Manse is the highlight, one of the rare mountain passes celebrated and feared for its descent rather than the climb. Several riders have come undone here.
Tour Stage 15 Preview
The roller coaster profile looks like something out of Eurodisney but as rides go this is gentle. Yes it climbs but this is the last opportunity for the sprinters before Paris so they and their teams have to make it count.
The Heat Takes Its Toll
It’s been infernally hot on the Tour de France with the temperature in the shade reaching 39°C (102°F). Only the riders can’t sit in the shade they must race in the open. Reports said riders drank up to 20 bottles each during yesterday’s stage.
Thirst and heatstroke are obvious factors but the heat takes its toll in many ways.
Tour Stage 14 Preview
A picture postcard of a stage with amazing scenery and pleasant roads to ride. Not that the riders can enjoy this with oven-like heat before the explosive finish above Mende.
Tour Stage 13 Preview
The profile isn’t as dramatic but this is a hard 200km route at the best of times, today there’s a heatwave. Expect a fight to get in the breakaway and with luck suspense to the end for the stage win.
The Team Classification
For the last couple of days Team Sky have been wearing yellow helmets. A celebration of Chris Froome’s spell in yellow? No, they lead the team prize and the rules say they should wear yellow helmets and they get yellow race numbers.
The team prize is the least understood of the official classifications in the Tour de France but it can have a direct tactical influence on the race. With all that’s going on in the race this prize rarely gets any attention but it matters to some.
Tour Stage 12 Preview
The hardest of the three stages in the Pyrenees with a saw-tooth profile. The stage is live on TV from start to finish.
How Are Climbs Categorised?
The Tour de France tackles the hors catégorie Col du Tourmalet today for the 81st time. The race rates climbs with five labels, from 4th category for the easiest to 1st category and then HC for hors catégorie, “beyond categorisation”. A frequently asked question is how are these categories determined. Here’s the answer…