Oh the irony! For years the first mountain stage was the stage where Lance Armstrong killed the Tour de France. A summit finish would often see him gain control of the race. First his team would shrink the bunch, then one or two lieutenants would select the pace for a select group and then we’d … Read more
OK, this is only for French readers but having panned TV commentator Thierry Adam, I’m willing to eat my words and praise him. The France Télévisions broadcaster has really upped his game. Whether it’s memory or notes, he’s now able to cite past winners and supply anecdotes. Thankfully, for multiple reasons, Laurent Fignon is often … Read more
Whilst the media will swarm around Armstrong, don’t forget who’s just taken the yellow jersey. Bravo, as they say, for Cadel Evans. Swapping the rainbow jersey for yellow is something I don’t think has happened since 1990 when Greg Lemond won the Tour de France, it’s a little bit of history. Evans has to be … Read more
This is the first mountain stage of the race. Whilst Saturday’s stage up to the ski station of Les Rousses saw some climbing, the uphill sections often averaged below 5%. Indeed Les Rousses is more the sort of place where people do XC skiing. Morzine-Avoriaz on the other hand is where you go for downhill … Read more
See the article below for an idea sent in by a reader. Several others have been in touch with suggestions and I’m really happy to hear from readers with comments, suggestions, criticism and more. Note the email address on the top right plus you can use Twitter to keep up, I use the psuedonym 39teeth. … Read more
Click to enlarge A reader sent in the above photo by email taken from the route of Stage 8 to Morzine. I’ll let them take over the story (I’ve edited the text for brevity): I’m on holiday in the Alps… …the whole area is getting ready… …the route is being decorated. The village of Mieussy … Read more
Whilst today sees the riders head into the Alps, it’s only the Jura and the climbs are not too hard. So it’s tomorrow and the 10% sections of the Col de Ramaz that actually mark the start of the terrain for the climbers and GC contenders. The final climb up Les Rousses is steady, well … Read more
It’s hot. It might be raining in the Village Départ this morning but the forecast is for dry, hot weather. Yesterday Sylvester Szmyd said his SRM recorded the temperature at 39°C during the stage. And there’s no end in sight, the forecast says another week of temperatures well above 30 degrees (above 100°F for US … Read more
As part of a series of pieces about life in Europe beyond cycling, here’s another addition. For more in the series, click on the Out of Competition tag below. Spain’s having a great summer sports-wise. Nadal’s just won the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the soccer team’s in the World Cup final and maybe Alberto Contador’s going … Read more