2008 Tour de France route
Ed in Vercors
Posts: 16
Although I understand the Tour/Etape routes are not due to be announced until 25th Oct. Todays Dauphiné newspaper indicates a stage on the 23rd July from Embrun - Alpe d'Huez. Probably a similar course, if slightly shorter route as last years Etape ride.
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The route is officially announced on 25th October. So just 12 days to go.
Will be lots of leaks and guesses over the next week-or-so. Let's list them here...Rich0 -
Here goes...
05 July 2008: Brest > Plumelec
06 July 2008: Auray > Saint-Brieuc
07 July 2008: Saint-Malo > Nantes of Saint-Malo > Cholet
08 July 2008: Vallet > Châteauroux
09 July 2008: La Châtre > Limoges
10 July 2008: Lac de Vassivière (time trial)
11 July 2008: ??? > Aurillac
12 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Pyrenean 1)
13 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Pyrenean 2)
14 July 2008: rest day ???
15 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Pyrenean 3)
16 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Pyrenean 4)
17 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Pyrenean 5)
18 July 2008: ??? > ???
19 July 2008: ??? > Digne-les-Bains
20 July 2008: Digne-les-Bains > Cuneo (Italy)
21 July 2008: rest day (Cuneo, Italy)
22 July 2008: Cuneo (Italy) > ???
23 July 2008: Embrun > ???
24 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Alps 5)
25 July 2008: ??? > Montluçon
26 July 2008: Saint-Amand-Montrond > Cérilly (time trial)
27 July 2008: ??? > Paris Champs Elysées
http://paris.thover.com/story.php?l=en&f=SH&ID=65Rich0 -
Very impressive, if incomplete! From where do you get your information?
The Brittany stages were (practically) decided a while ago – and in its excitement the town Cholet let its involvement be known well in advance of what’s normal.
Your 12-13 July stages (afer Aurillac) must surely still be in the Central Massif. I’d guess the Etape du Tour will be one of them this year.
A stage from Cuneo back into France to Embrun suggests via the Col de Larche – where I crashed and broke my collarbone!0 -
The start at Embrun will apparently finish atop alpe d'huez
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None of it is mine. I'm just encouraging that we collate all the rumours...knedlicky wrote:Very impressive, if incomplete! From where do you get your information?
http://paris.thover.com/story.php?l=en&f=SH&ID=65Rich0 -
I'm planning my 2008 holiday around the last week of Le Tour (as it is first week of school holidays).
So I await this eagerly. Any rumours are welcome too!0 -
hammerite wrote:I'm planning my 2008 holiday around the last week of Le Tour (as it is first week of school holidays).
So I await this eagerly. Any rumours are welcome too!
Ditto. Can't wait.
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pat1cp wrote:hammerite wrote:I'm planning my 2008 holiday around the last week of Le Tour (as it is first week of school holidays).
So I await this eagerly. Any rumours are welcome too!
Ditto. Can't wait.
How are you doing it? Car and tent with bikes? or campervan?
I think we're going to hire a campervan, meaning we won't have to put up/take down a tent every day.
We're taking bikes too obviously but I doubt I'll get much of a chance to try any of the tough climbs as our 6 yo (7 by then) wouldn't be able to manage it. Although I could let the other half drop me at the bottom and meet them at the top!0 -
Can I be the first to start Ventoux rumours?..It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.0
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14 July a rest day? No way in France, it's the national holiday and TV audiences and roadside crowds flock to the race.
I've heard the Etape will be Pau > Hautacam.0 -
hammerite wrote:pat1cp wrote:hammerite wrote:I'm planning my 2008 holiday around the last week of Le Tour (as it is first week of school holidays).
So I await this eagerly. Any rumours are welcome too!
Ditto. Can't wait.
How are you doing it? Car and tent with bikes? or campervan?
I think we're going to hire a campervan, meaning we won't have to put up/take down a tent every day.
We're taking bikes too obviously but I doubt I'll get much of a chance to try any of the tough climbs as our 6 yo (7 by then) wouldn't be able to manage it. Although I could let the other half drop me at the bottom and meet them at the top!
Bought a Motorhome this year so will be taking that and try and catch the last week in the Alps with probably half a weeks "holiday" either side.
Do try some of the climbs, they're fantastic. My experience is limited but the ones I have tried have all been fantastic.0 -
The Pyrenees are better for the Etape, in that they take smaller roads. Closing giant roads in the Alps, like those between Embrun and Alpe d'Huez means beaucoup disruption. But, since the Etape was in the Pyrenees this year, it could well revert the Alps.
Either way, the prudent will reserve hotel rooms in Embrun and Pau...0 -
what is the expected date, July 15th?0
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Filling out nicely...
05 July 2008: Brest > Plumelec
06 July 2008: Auray > Saint-Brieuc
07 July 2008: Saint-Malo > Nantes
08 July 2008: time trial Cholet or Vallet > Châteauroux??
09 July 2008: La Châtre > Limoges
10 July 2008: Lac de Vassivière (time trial)
11 July 2008: ??? > Aurillac
12 July 2008: Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre
13 July 2008: rest day (Pau)
14 July 2008: Pau > Hautacam
15 July 2008: Lannemezan > Foix
16 July 2008: Lavelanet > ???
17 July 2008: ??? > Perpignan
18 July 2008: ?Perpignan > Nîmes
19 July 2008: Nîmes > Digne-les-Bains
20 July 2008: Digne-les-Bains > Cuneo (Italy)
21 July 2008: rest day (Cuneo, Italy)
22 July 2008: Cuneo (Italy) > ???
23 July 2008: Embrun > ???
24 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Alps 5)
25 July 2008: ??? > Montluçon
26 July 2008: Saint-Amand-Montrond > Cérilly (time trial)
27 July 2008: ??? > Paris Champs Elysées
I would expect the Etape to be on the 1st rest day (Sunday 13th)Rich0 -
Are you sure they are having a Sunday restday? Weekends must be have the biggest audiences, TV and personal? No?0
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Rest days are usually Mondays or Tuesdays...
The list above has too many speculative guesses!0 -
And there is normally a tt on the weekend so as to bring out the crowds.
As there is not prologue on the first saturday, you will probably find a tt on the following saturday0 -
Today's latest:
S05 July 2008: Brest > Plumelec
S06 July 2008: Auray > Saint-Brieuc
M07 July 2008: Saint-Malo > Nantes
T08 July 2008: time trial Cholet or Vallet > Châteauroux??
W09 July 2008: La Châtre > Limoges
T10 July 2008: Lac de Vassivière (time trial)
F11 July 2008: ??? > Aurillac
S12 July 2008: Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre
S13 July 2008: rest day (Pau)
M14 July 2008: Pau > Hautacam
T15 July 2008: Lannemezan > Foix
W16 July 2008: Lavelanet > ???
T17 July 2008: ??? > Perpignan
F18 July 2008: ?Perpignan > Nîmes
S19 July 2008: Nîmes > Digne-les-Bains
S20 July 2008: Digne-les-Bains > Cuneo (Italy)
M21 July 2008: rest day (Cuneo, Italy)
T22 July 2008: Cuneo (Italy) > Alpe d'Huez
W23 July 2008: Embrun > ???
T24 July 2008: ??? > ??? (Alps 5)
F25 July 2008: Roanne > Montluçon
S26 July 2008: Saint-Amand-Montrond > Cérilly (time trial)
S27 July 2008: ??? > Paris Champs Elysées
Updates in Red
SourceRich0 -
For those who might be interested in the Grand Depart, I'm hoping to arrange a trip to include riding the first 2 stages, watching them etc etc.
I have friends in the centre of Brittany who have SC accomodation, and it will be fully supported, all you will need to get on the ferry is yourself, bike and change of clothes. :P
If you are interested please e-mail me on rob.spate@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk in the first instant.People ask me what I'm on. I'm on my bike 6 hours a day busting my arse. That's what I'm on.
— Lance Armstrong0 -
The word in the French forums is the Etape is Pau - Hautacam (with tourmalet included).
This seems to be pretty certain by the number of people quoting good sources.
The Lavalenet stage is likely to head towards Toulouse on the 16th July.0 -
Shame its the Pyrenees not Alps. On the plus side should be much more accomodation available than in sleepy Foix.Ariege cyclist wrote:The word in the French forums is the Etape is Pau - Hautacam (with tourmalet included).
This seems to be pretty certain by the number of people quoting good sources.Rich0 -
RichA wrote:
Shame its the Pyrenees not Alps. On the plus side should be much more accomodation available than in sleepy Foix.Ariege cyclist wrote:The word in the French forums is the Etape is Pau - Hautacam (with tourmalet included).
This seems to be pretty certain by the number of people quoting good sources.
there is always marmotte0 -
jesus, all the room are already booked on alpe d'huez for around that time!0
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Are you sure? Alp d'Huez has ALOT of accommodation...ajohn9 wrote:jesus, all the room are already booked on alpe d'huez for around that time!
http://www.alpedhuez.com/ete/template.php?cat=29&souscat=18Rich0 -
rumour I heard secondhand was it being shorter at about 150km and only 2 climbs, in the Alps, and a 'horseshoe" route. Usually it alternates between Alps and Pyrenees but I guess it might depend whether the Massif Central gets a proper look in this year, something Prudhomme had been hinting at last year.
EDIT - isn't it it also usually on the first mountain rest day which would probably rule out the Pyrenees - the idea being that that town gets two hits of tour action a week apart?0 -
leguape wrote:rumour I heard secondhand was it being shorter at about 150km and only 2 climbs, in the Alps, and a 'horseshoe" route. Usually it alternates between Alps and Pyrenees but I guess it might depend whether the Massif Central gets a proper look in this year, something Prudhomme had been hinting at last year.
I was told this by one of the tour operators at the cycle show on Saturday - 160km in the Alps, 2 Col's (inc Madeleine?).Chambery was also mentioned....
Rich0
