2015 Tour de France Route

[roundabout]

Heh.

28 climbs in 2013. I still feel that it's likely to be an exception than a new trend.

 

[Tonton]

Heh.

28 climbs in 2013. I still feel that it's likely to be an exception than a new trend.

Disagree. The young frenchies are climbers, ASO will cater to that in the years to come, like they did in the late '90s. If it wasn't for meddling cops, the stage was set for a Virenque win in '98

Home field advantage

 

[roundabout]

I never understood the argument that the 1998 route was *that* favorable for Virenque.

And I feel that any home bias will be seen by shortening the TT length, not by adding extra climbs

 

[OlavEH]

EDIT: Alpe d'Huez confirmed.

Ok. Fear that Pra Loup followed by Alpe d'Huez, means that they will do Lautaret before Huez in that stage. Hopefully this will not be the case.

 

[Tonton]

I never understood the argument that the 1998 route was *that* favorable for Virenque.

And I feel that any home bias will be seen by shortening the TT length, not by adding extra climbs

Results speak for themselves: Marco 1st, Jan 2nd. The proof is in the pudding.

 

[oddspam]

Okay now for the Alpes:
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Glandon -> Chaussy -> Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

I see Chaussy mentionend several places. Any other reason than being close to Saint Jean de Maurienne and a beautiful climb? I think I read some years ago that it was impossible to use it for TdF becuase it got to narrow for cars and audience?

 

[Netserk]

Okay now for the Alpes:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Glandon -> Chaussy -> Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne -> Croix de Fer -> Mollard -> Toussuire
Modane(or somewhere in that valley) -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez

So something like four short mountain stages (<150km)...

Alternative guess:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Glandon -> Chaussy -> Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne(or Toussuire, perhaps Croix de Fer and Mollard instead of Chaussy)
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez
Then an ITT on the last Saturday before Paris.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Okay now for the Alpes:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup (my wish is that they instead go north out of Digne and climb Allos before Champs)
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Glandon -> Chaussy -> Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne -> Croix de Fer -> Mollard -> Toussuire (stage would be less than 90km... Maybe a MTT directly to Toussuire instead)
Modane(or somewhere in that valley) -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez

So something like four short mountain stages (<150km)...

That would be Glandon from Barrage du Verney I think (the longer but easier side with some false flats and a couple of descents) ?
Then descent into La Chambre and Chaussy from there? Isn't there a section which is not asphalted beginning in Bonvillard ( 1360 m altitude ) ?

Anyway, I hope there'll be a MTT in La Toussuire. And a stage with more than or around 4000 m climbing.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Stage 1 short ITT. Stage 9 long ITT. MTT in the alps. That would be a perfect balance.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Okay now for the Alpes:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup (my wish is that they instead go north out of Digne and climb Allos before Champs)
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Glandon -> Chaussy -> Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne -> Croix de Fer -> Mollard -> Toussuire (stage would be less than 90km... Maybe a MTT directly to Toussuire instead)
Modane(or somewhere in that valley) -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez

So something like four short mountain stages (<150km)...

Alternative guess:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Glandon -> Chaussy -> Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne(or Toussuire, perhaps Croix de Fer and Mollard instead of Chaussy)
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez
Then an ITT on the last Saturday before Paris.

I'm guessing:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Croix de Fer -> Mollard -> Toussuire
Col du Chaussy MTT
Modane(or somewhere in that valley) -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

I'm guessing:

Digne-les-Bains -> Champs -> Cayolle -> Pra-Loup
Gap -> Manse -> Ornon -> Croix de Fer -> Mollard -> Toussuire
Col du Chaussy MTT
Modane(or somewhere in that valley) -> Télégraphe -> Galibier -> Alpe d'Huez

4 summit finishes in a row? I hope we get a bit more variety than that, there must be a descent technical descent into the Maurienne they could use for a finish.

 

[Jan the Man]

Results speak for themselves: Marco 1st, Jan 2nd. The proof is in the pudding.

If you strictly look at results maybe; but it was distorted by the massive time loss Ullrich had on the one stage to Les Deux Alpes due to a jour sans + Jan's preparation for the 1998 season was arguably the worse during his entire career.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

4 summit finishes in a row? I hope we get a bit more variety than that, there must be a descent technical descent into the Maurienne they could use for a finish.

Sure, I base the Chaussy MTT on one not so recent "tweet" by a local, so it's not a particular solid rumor. The more credible rumor included a descent finish from Chaussy into the Maurienne valley, but that would be much more challenging to organize, I guess. I could see them ditching that one, same for the Bonette MTF that was ditched also. But nothing recent on either of those rumors.

The other three MTFs are more or less confirmed. Pra-Loup - definitely. Alpe d'Huez - 100 % confirmed. La Toussuire perhaps a bit less so, but is also very likely. They didn't want to host an MTT, though, so that one's a road stage or nothing, IMO

Some French websites also still mention a La Rosière road stage, but that one is a mountain top finish also - and could be based on outdated info.

 

[Matt92]

I never understood the argument that the 1998 route was *that* favorable for Virenque.

And I feel that any home bias will be seen by shortening the TT length, not by adding extra climbs

I totally agree. Atually, I think 1998's route was not favorable for Virenque at all.
The two stages in the Pyrenees were hard, but not more than in many other Tours. The Les Deux Alpes stage was great, but the following two Alpine stages were rather lame: 40 kms of downhill and flat after the Madeleine on the way to Albertville, and only minor climbs towards Aix-les-Bains.
And there was something like 120 kms of ITT.

It's true that Pantani won, but that's just because he gained 9 minutes in a single stage over Ullrich. He would have beaten Ullrich even if that was the only mountain stage in the Tour, and he would have needed only one more to beat Julich too. It has nothing to do with the design of the route (and the Les Deux Alpes stage was very hard, but not more than many other stages in many other Tours).

 

[Dr. Juice]

If you strictly look at results maybe; but it was distorted by the massive time loss Ullrich had on the one stage to Les Deux Alpes due to a jour sans + Jan's preparation for the 1998 season was arguably the worse during his entire career.

Partly true, but still he was climbing stronger than in 2000 - 2005 except 2003. He had a similar form than in 2003, that's why he crushed the TT's. In 2000 - 2001 - 2004 - 2005 Ullrich didn't have the form he had in '98, he gained a lot less time on non-specialists and was always beaten. His TT was what lacked the most in the years after 99 in the Tour. But of course also the climbing form.
Only in 97 he was stronger than in 1998, a performance he couldn't repeat ( a pity).

But those people who think Ullrich would've won the Tour without going full tilt should look at the time gaps. Let's assume his legs would not have been empty on Les Deux Alpes and he arrives together with Julich. 5.56 minutes behind Pantani. That means he still loses the Tour by 25 sec. With the Madeleine stage still to ride.

 

[jens_attacks]

virenque said that the 1998 route was not for him at all and said galibier is a big ring climb all the way to the top,can't make gaps lol. too bad that he didn't reach saint jean de maurienne. would have been fun

 

[McLovin]

Is there a solid rumor about La Toussuire? Or is it just because is near St. Jean de Maurienne? Then why not St. Francois de Longchamp with or without Cuaussy before?
Or even harder, on top of Madeleine. They just finished a larger parking place on top of this beauty!

http://www.revolutionr.com/valmorel-nouveaux-amenagements-du-col-de-la-madeleine/

 

[Matt92]

Yes, there were rumors which mentioned La Toussuire specifically. Though they were not as rock-solid as the ones mentioning Pra Loup or Alpe d'Huez.

 

[sir fly]

Is there a solid rumor about La Toussuire? Or is it just because is near St. Jean de Maurienne? Then why not St. Francois de Longchamp with or without Cuaussy before?
Or even harder, on top of Madeleine. They just finished a larger parking place on top of this beauty!

http://www.revolutionr.com/valmorel-nouveaux-amenagements-du-col-de-la-madeleine/

Good point regarding Madeleine.
The climb's not mentioned at all in the rumors, but shouldn't be left out if the area prominently features in the race.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Of the main "classic" Tour climbs, Madeleine is the one I do not mind overuse of.

 

[McLovin]

Of the main "classic" Tour climbs, Madeleine is the one I do not mind overuse of.

Same here but + Joux Plane. It was used almost every year in the 80's, even twice in 81, but since I am watching cycling only with two occasions.

 

[Netserk]

Twice in '81???

 

[McLovin]

Twice in '81???

double post

 

[McLovin]

Twice in '81???

According to wikipedia. But I just checkedthis one and says once.
LE. They put 81 twice on wiki but no 80. Thank you!

 

[Race Radio]

Is there a solid rumor about La Toussuire? Or is it just because is near St. Jean de Maurienne? Then why not St. Francois de Longchamp with or without Cuaussy before?
Or even harder, on top of Madeleine. They just finished a larger parking place on top of this beauty!

http://www.revolutionr.com/valmorel-nouveaux-amenagements-du-col-de-la-madeleine/

Ohh, that would be interesting. Plenty of space up there for a MTF. Love that climb