2011 TdF Route announced

[creekster]

Back to the Alpes for the centenary of the race's arrival there. A finish atop Alpe d'huez. Lots of climbing. Should be fun.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/...te_146902?news

[bluegoose]

Here are the stages with profiles:

http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/COURSE..._parcours.html

Looks like a good tour route. I love the 4 uphill finishes. Galibier twice will be a challenge and Alpe d'Huez is always fun to watch.

It sounds like they are tired of Fabian wearing the Yellow Jersey to start the tour. No prologue and no early ITT? Really? Possible retribution for him bringing the peleton to a screeching stop at the end of the slippery stage at last years tour???

It also looks like they are going to make Cav work a bit harder in his quest for a green jersey, with fewer bunch sprints and more points awarded for intermediate sprints.

Overall, it looks like the course is designed for an Andy Schleck victory. He has been a good ambassador for the sport and has been very gracious through this whole Contador mess, I think they need him to wear the Maillot Jaune.

[creekster]

Here are the stages with profiles:

http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/COURSE..._parcours.html

Looks like a good tour route. I love the 4 uphill finishes. Galibier twice will be a challenge and Alpe d'Huez is always fun to watch.

It sounds like they are tired of Fabian wearing the Yellow Jersey to start the tour. No prologue and no early ITT? Really? Possible retribution for him bringing the peleton to a screeching stop at the end of the slippery stage at last years tour???

It also looks like they are going to make Cav work a bit harder in his quest for a green jersey, with fewer bunch sprints and more points awarded for intermediate sprints.

Overall, it looks like the course is designed for an Andy Schleck victory. He has been a good ambassador for the sport and has been very gracious through this whole Contador mess, I think they need him to wear the Maillot Jaune.

I concur, it does look like a "We want ANDY!" course design. Nice break down, btw.

[Coach McGuirk]

I count 5 hill top finishes if you count the "medium mountain" days. Super Besse Sancy, Luz Ardidan, Plateau De Beille, Galibier, and D'huez. Add to that to short downhill run finishes and this tour should have some fireworks. Can't wait!

[creekster]

The 12th and 18th stages look brutal.