2015 Tour de France Route

[Race Radio]

Still over a month away before the announcement but many rumors are already out. Thomas launched his excellent analysis yesterday

http://www.velowire.com/article/865...out-the-race-route-and-the-stage-cities-.html

 

[zlev11]

so they're predicting there will be 3 stages in the Pyrenees and 5 stages in the Alps? awesome

 

[Arredondo]

Mur de Bretagne and Mende back in it

 

[sir fly]

I've already mentioned in some thread that I've been hoping for a return from the Netherlands via Flanders, but it seem that they'll do it through the Ardennes.
The Pyrenees' mystery looks intriguing.
The time trials shouldn't favor any GC contender too much, if the prediction comes true.
The replica of 2011 L'Alpe d'Huez stage should be improved.
Good route overall for all main contenders.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

La Rosière 1850? Really?!

The only way to save that would be to come over Iseran.

 

[Netserk]

La Rosière 1850? Really?!

The only way to save that would be to come over Iseran.

If they start from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise or go through Montvalezan it should be good (enough).

 

[Matt92]

Rumors about the Pyrenees:
http://www.sudouest.fr/2014/09/24/pau-c ... 8-3961.php
http://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/2 ... 212215.php

Basically, they both talk about a possible MTF in La Pierre-Saint-Martin.

Also, the first article mentions an almost sure stage from Pau to Cauterets (I think and hope the finish would be in Le Cambasque), plus a possible third stage on the Pyrenees to finish in Plateau de Beille.

The second article claims a source close to ASO told them about "A MTF in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, a descent/flat finish in Hautes-Pyrénées and a MTF in Ariège".

 

[roundabout]

Ugh.

Cauterets.

Ugh.

I think the finish in Pont d'Espagne is impossible for reasons ecological and it's the Tour de France and not Route du Sud to be finishing in the village so Cambasque wins by default

 

[barmaher]

That PSM stage has been rumoured for years; it is good that it might actually happen this year. The climb seems nice, and it is seemingly easy to connect to the Marie Blanque and other lesser known climbs further west.

The stage around Cauterets will probably include the Torumalet and other Tour "favourites".

Assume the MTF in Ariéges in the second article is the Plateau de Beille.

 

[fauniera]

Both links don't work.

Basically, they both talk about a possible MTF in La Pierre-Saint-Martin.

They talk about that every year and it never happens.

 

[fauniera]

The stage around Cauterets will probably include the Torumalet and other Tour "favourites".

I guess it will only include Tourmalet, maybe Aspin too, then nothing until Cauterets. Would be so typical ASO.

 

[Matt92]

Both links don't work.



They talk about that every year and it never happens.

http://www.sudouest.fr/2014/09/24/pau-cauterets-c-est-sur-la-pierre-peut-etre-1681358-3961.php

http://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/2014/09/24/la-pierre-enfin-sur-le-tour,1212215.php

Anyway, I still have a few doubts about those rumors. I mean, that sounds like three big stages in the Pyrenees, and we sort-of-know about at least 3 serious mountain stages in the Alps (Alpe d'Huez, Pra Loup, La Toussuire/Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne), plus a tough stage on the Massif Central to finish in Mende.
I'm all for it, but it seems a little too hard for ASO's taste.

 

[sir fly]

http://www.sudouest.fr/2014/09/24/pau-cauterets-c-est-sur-la-pierre-peut-etre-1681358-3961.php

http://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/2014/09/24/la-pierre-enfin-sur-le-tour,1212215.php

Anyway, I still have a few doubts about those rumors. I mean, that sounds like three big stages in the Pyrenees, and we sort-of-know about at least 3 serious mountain stages in the Alps (Alpe d'Huez, Pra Loup, La Toussuire/Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne), plus a tough stage on the Massif Central to finish in Mende.
I'm all for it, but it seems a little too hard for ASO's taste.

Would be a spectacular route with symmetrical Pyrenees and Alps (two MTFs each and a downhill finish each - Lourdes and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne) and Mende in between.
Different nature of the mountain ranges, ascents and descents should show itself clearly in an identical composition of the stages.

 

[McLovin]

I guess it will only include Tourmalet, maybe Aspin too, then nothing until Cauterets. Would be so typical ASO.

I hope for Marie Blanque, Aubisque and Spandelles before Cauterets. There was a lot of talk last year about Spandelles (Hautacam stage) and they even test it in other races so maybe it's time.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Going by the link in the first post, the stages in the Alps could look like this, going by the latest info on that page

Digne-Les-Bains - Pra-Loup (MTF)

possible climbs:

- Col des Champs - 2001m (mentioned on Velowire)
- Col de Cayolle - 2326m (would make the most sense by far )
- Pra Loup ~ 1630m MTF

Pretty damn good, if true


rest day



Gap - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

probable climbs:

- Glandon from the south
- Col du Chaussy (as per Velowire) - great climb. Finish not too far away from the descent, I guess.





Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - La Toussuire (MTF)

short(?) mountain stage to showcase the Maurienne area



probable climbs:

- Croix de Fer via Col du Glandon - HC
- La Toussuire 1st

Mollard too, I guess


final mountain stage (Alpe d'Huez?) (MTF)

no new reliable info on this one, it seems. The older rumor was of another double Alpe d'Huez ascent.

 

[roundabout]

The proposed Toussuire stage would be about 90km long at most with just Croix de Fer and Mollard before

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Cauterets-Le Lys! Zomegnan, where are you!?

 

[Matt92]

Going by the link in the first post, the stages in the Alps could look like this, going by the latest info on that page

Digne-Les-Bains - Pra-Loup (MTF)

possible climbs:

- Col des Champs - 2001m (mentioned on Velowire)
- Col de Cayolle - 2326m (would make the most sense by far )
- Pra Loup ~ 1630m MTF

Pretty damn good, if true


rest day



Gap - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

probable climb:

- Col du Chaussy (as per Velowire) - great climb. Finish not too far away from the descent, I guess.

I'm guessing the rest of the stage will be pretty much flat.





Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - La Toussuire (MTF)

short(?) mountain stage to showcase the Maurienne area



probable climbs:

- Croix de Fer via Col du Glandon - HC
- La Toussuire 1st

Mollard too, I guess


final mountain stage (Alpe d'Huez?) (MTF)

no new reliable info on this one, it seems. The older rumor was of another double Alpe d'Huez ascent.

If I remember correctly, the rumor was that the Glandon was going to be climbed in the stage to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, from the easier side, before the Chaussy.

But still, having both Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire seems a bit strange to me, given how close they are to each other.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

If I remember correctly, the rumor was that the Glandon was going to be climbed in the stage to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, from the easier side, before the Chaussy.

Ah, I missed that. That would be better.

But still, having both Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire seems a bit strange to me, given how close they are to each other.

Yeah, but it seems likely:

"the full article indicates that according to the newspaper several hotels are fully booked in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, not only for the 22nd but also for the 23rd of July, and that this is also the case for the hotels in La Toussuire on the night of the 23rd especially."

 

[Red Rick]

If I remember correctly, the rumor was that the Glandon was going to be climbed in the stage to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, from the easier side, before the Chaussy.

But still, having both Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire seems a bit strange to me, given how close they are to each other.

Simple, start with Col de Rosael, descend back to Moutiers take a loop back to Seant-Jean-de-Maurienne

 

[rghysens]

La Rosière 1850? Really?!

The only way to save that would be to come over Iseran.

Arpettaz, Forclaz, Bisanne, Pré and Roselend would be "ok" too.
But highly unlikely from an ASO point of view.

 

[barmaher]

Digne-Les-Bains - Pra-Loup (MTF)

possible climbs:

- Col des Champs - 2001m (mentioned on Velowire)
- Col de Cayolle - 2326m (would make the most sense by far )
- Pra Loup ~ 1630m MTF

Pretty damn good, if true

I agree. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

 

[MikeTichondrius]

If I remember correctly, the rumor was that the Glandon was going to be climbed in the stage to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, from the easier side, before the Chaussy.

But still, having both Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire seems a bit strange to me, given how close they are to each other.

Chaussy would be interesting for a change (don't get new alpine climbs in the Tour everyday). I was, however, reminded of the 2006 stage between Bourg d'Oisans and La Toussuire. which looped around a relatively small area between the two valleys (Oisans -> Galibier -> Croix de Fer -> Mollard -> La Toussuire). That got me thinking of the following...

Saint-Jean de Maurienne -> Galibier -> Huez via Sarenne -> Croix de Fer -> La Toussuire. (Or if you want to do Chaussy do Glandon south and descend instead of turning right into Croix de Fer). Around 200 km maybe? I'm not sure. One can dream.

 

[Netserk]

I agree. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Wrong side of Champs

 

[barmaher]

Thanks Netserk.

Nonetheless, I reluctantly accept the route, if that is what ASO throw at me.