Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Le Tour Parcours

The Tour de France 2008 route was announced today in Paris. The big highlights of the route include a start in the Brittany region of France which is home to the likes of “The Badger” Bernard Hinault. There is no prologue time trial to kick things off, only a flat stage that will favor the sprinters. Things should not be too hectic since a team such as Milram or Quick-Step would be just as eager to control things to get a sprint victory early on.

At first glance it seems that the Tour could produce a surprise winner. The course has fewer TT kilometers than years past. The first TT test is only 29km. Intermediate mountain stages come a little earlier too, but hopefully things do not get as front loaded as the Vuelta was this year with a very boring final week.

The Tour goes into Italy for the first time in this millennium with a stage finish in Prato Nevoso and spends the rest day in Cuneo. L’Alpe D’Huez is on tap for stage 17 which looks to be one of the toughest and probably most decisive stages of the tour. This could be a make or break stage since the parcours looks to keep things close up until this point.

With the visit to Italy, no prologue TT and earlier medium hill stages it looks like the ASO is taking some tips from RCS Giro organizers. The race looks to be exciting and unpredictable for the early part and provide a very close finish.

If Damiano Cunego makes his return to the Tour it could look to be a course that would favor his style. Alberto Contador can easily defend his title with this route since he has very good TT ability and can handle himself well in the medium and high mountains. Levi Leipheimer can contend, but his TT strengths won’t be as much of an advantage over other competitors. Cadel Evans could make a step to the top spot as he would do well with the mix of stages.