Stage 12: Cugnaux – Luz Ardiden (211 km) The first of three stages in the Pyrenees is guaranteed to be a very hard day. The stage is long (211km), the first 120 kilometers are gradually uphill before you even reach the base of the first major climb, and once you do there are three giants …
By Chris Carmichael I can’t remember the last time there was this much rain during the Tour de France. Normally there are a few rainy days, but the peloton has endured wet conditions in almost every stage of this year’s race. On the positive side, rain means athletes have less trouble staying hydrated because the …
Stage 11: Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur (167.5 km) Stage 11 is the last hurrah for the sprinters before they go to the back of the pack and suffer through the mountains. A breakaway will certainly go up the road and stay there for most of the day, but it will almost as certainly be reeled in …
By Chris Carmichael Stage 10 of the 2011 Tour de France is what’s typically referred to as a “transition” stage. The race has to move around the whole of France, using a combination of stages and transfers on team busses and trains. Stage 10 was essentially part of the process of getting the peloton down …
Stage 10: Aurillac – Carmaux (161km) Stage 10 is relatively short and doesn’t feature any major difficulties that would offer opportunities for the yellow jersey contenders. And with the Pyrenees looming in the distance, many riders and teams will be happy to let a breakaway have the day. Knowing this, the competition to be …
By Chris Carmichael What is going on in the Tour de France this year?! Crashes are relatively common in the Tour and every other bike race, but the consequences – and in some cases, the circumstances – of this year’s crashes have been odd and incredible. The toll of broken bones suffered during the Tour …
Stage 9: Issoire – Saint-Flour (208km) This is going to be a very hard stage, even though there are no huge mountain passes to climb. Instead, there is an endless succession of smaller climbs, punctuated by bigger Category 2 and 3 climbs. Days like this are sometimes harder than major climbing stages because there is …
By Chris Carmichael Respect plays a large role in the dynamics within the professional peloton, and even within your own team. Just like outside of the sport, respect is earned over time and can be lost very quickly. And as you gain the respect of your peers in the pack and the directors in the …
Stage 8: Aigurande – Super Besse (189km) The Central Massif region of France is a difficult place to ride a bike. The roads are constantly undulating, and then routes are punctuated by longer ascents. Stage 8 will be the first time the 2011 Tour de France encounters a Category 2 climb, in this case the …