Not to much introduction. It's pretty clear that some Tour routes in the last 15 years (at least) were made with dedication for a certain rider, or riders.
My guesses are:
1999 - very very light mountains and 120 km of ITT. Almost zero chances for Pantani. Piau and Sestrieres are some second hand climbs. This must have been for Ullrich. Maybe they need a new believable hero and a young guy like Ullrich corresponded. Didn't had internet at that time and in my country we had almost zero written press about cycling so don't know if Pantani was considered a clean rider or not. Or maybe from pity for Ullrich after Deux Alpes episode.
2004 -made for anybody but Armstrong - again, very light mountains, just 2 MTF and one is La Mongie. Ullrich showed some serious signs of super TT form in 2003 and maybe that's why they masked a MTF in a TT (never again since then). With Armstrong winning his sixth, all their national heroes (the three french fivers) would have been just some multiple Tour winners, with those winning 2 or three.
2012 - no comment. Can't see the reason but it must be one.
Any other thoughts?
LE. Didn't intended to open this in the Clinic (mistake) but maybe it's better.
My guesses are:
1999 - very very light mountains and 120 km of ITT. Almost zero chances for Pantani. Piau and Sestrieres are some second hand climbs. This must have been for Ullrich. Maybe they need a new believable hero and a young guy like Ullrich corresponded. Didn't had internet at that time and in my country we had almost zero written press about cycling so don't know if Pantani was considered a clean rider or not. Or maybe from pity for Ullrich after Deux Alpes episode.
2004 -made for anybody but Armstrong - again, very light mountains, just 2 MTF and one is La Mongie. Ullrich showed some serious signs of super TT form in 2003 and maybe that's why they masked a MTF in a TT (never again since then). With Armstrong winning his sixth, all their national heroes (the three french fivers) would have been just some multiple Tour winners, with those winning 2 or three.
2012 - no comment. Can't see the reason but it must be one.
Any other thoughts?
LE. Didn't intended to open this in the Clinic (mistake) but maybe it's better.