Carrying On The Recent Tradition Of Having Less Traditional MTF's In The TDF

[spalco]

I hear the descent is rather tricky!

Has Alpe d Huez ever been descended in the Tour? I think that could be amusing, althought they'd probably have to ban spectators for the safety of the riders.

And I agree that the Tour should use different mountains every year. It would make the great legendary mountains all the more valuable if they aren't used all the time.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think that's the big point - it's lazy route design to always use the same ones. We need something massive... I know! MTF on a well-known climb!!!

I mean, seriously, look at the recent history - Galibier & Alpe d'Huez 2011, Tourmalet 2010, Ventoux 2009, Alpe d'Huez 2008... it's just lazy. There are loads of climbs that are new and/or barely used, but every goddamn year the Tourmalet. Is the Tourmalet a great climb? Sure. Do we need to see it every single year? No. When was the last time we even SAW Alpes-Maritîmes in the route? And Mont du Chat has been unused since 1974; Collet d'Allevard as mentioned above; Col du Pierre Carrée, anyone? You could easily put a finish there, or in Flaine after a short descent. It would fit nicely after the Colombier climbed from the Le-Grand-Bornand side, which means you could still find room for plenty of classic climbs like Saisies and Aravis on the way.

 

[Descender]

I here there's no road!

Hmm wait...

GO BIRDIE!!

Like someone else said, the Alpe d´Huez does actually have another side and it can be used as a mountain pass.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

I think that's the big point - it's lazy route design to always use the same ones. We need something massive... I know! MTF on a well-known climb!!!

I mean, seriously, look at the recent history - Galibier & Alpe d'Huez 2011, Tourmalet 2010, Ventoux 2009, Alpe d'Huez 2008... it's just lazy. There are loads of climbs that are new and/or barely used, but every goddamn year the Tourmalet. Is the Tourmalet a great climb? Sure. Do we need to see it every single year? No. When was the last time we even SAW Alpes-Maritîmes in the route? And Mont du Chat has been unused since 1974; Collet d'Allevard as mentioned above; Col du Pierre Carrée, anyone? You could easily put a finish there, or in Flaine after a short descent. It would fit nicely after the Colombier climbed from the Le-Grand-Bornand side, which means you could still find room for plenty of classic climbs like Saisies and Aravis on the way.

a Chat, Revard loop would make a brilliant descent finish in to Chambery or Aix les Bains if they still want someone to pay for the privalege of having their roads closed.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

a Chat, Revard loop would make a brilliant descent finish in to Chambery or Aix les Bains if they still want someone to pay for the privalege of having their roads closed.

I was thinking Chat then Col de l'Épine, but they could feasibly just descend from Chat and finish in Novalaise or Saint-Alban-de-Montbel.