8/10
My impression is that reactions will be negative whatever they come up with. This is a classic course with tough mountain stages and not much time trialling. Time trialists will be disappointed that there isn't a second ITT in the final weekend, but I want the Tour to be decided by attacks in the mountains, and this course creates the opportunity, so I'm happy.
The first week is mostly warm-up. Short TTT won't be very important. Planche dBF is becoming cliché, but it's better than a flat stage. Some more middle mountains mostly interesting for stage hunters or early yellow.
Three Pyrenees stages. The first won't be interesting. Finish on Tourmalet is an excellent opportunity for climbers to attack. No excuses here. The best climbers will prevail. Not sure about the third stage; the best GC riders might stay together, or an attacker might be rewarded.
The Alpine stages are great. The three giants Izoard, Galibier and Iséran are all there. I really hope there's a climber with good legs who can destroy the field.