2008 Tour de France route

2

Comments

  • bwanasimba
    bwanasimba Posts: 10
    2 cols eh?

    ....I heard a rumour a couple of weeks ago that it would be Madeleine and Ventoux...will someone buy me a triple if it is? :lol:
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    bwanasimba wrote:
    I heard a rumour a couple of weeks ago that it would be Madeleine and Ventoux...will someone buy me a triple if it is? :lol:
    If I've mapped this correctly then the summit of these two beasts are 285km apart !!!

    Now that is one helluva day in the saddle.
    Rich
  • Titanium
    Titanium Posts: 2,056
    bwanasimba wrote:
    2 cols eh?

    ....I heard a rumour a couple of weeks ago that it would be Madeleine and Ventoux...will someone buy me a triple if it is? :lol:
    You'll need a quadruple.

    A route like that's gotta be 250km+? There are two Cols de la Madeleine, and both are far away from the Ventoux.

    [Edit: Rich beat me to it, I was slow to reply]
  • bwanasimba
    bwanasimba Posts: 10
    Titanium wrote:
    bwanasimba wrote:
    2 cols eh?

    ....I heard a rumour a couple of weeks ago that it would be Madeleine and Ventoux...will someone buy me a triple if it is? :lol:
    You'll need a quadruple.

    A route like that's gotta be 250km+? There are two Cols de la Madeleine, and both are far away from the Ventoux.

    [Edit: Rich beat me to it, I was slow to reply]

    Scratch the triple and quadruple, who's going to buy me a Harley? 8)

    But see this link http://www.sport-passion.fr/parcours/ve ... bedoin.htm (map and profile...madeleine + Ventoux). If it were Ventoux, it would probably be the Southern ascent fron Bedoin...plenty of history on that route...

    ...6 more days to find out for sure though...
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    More rumours from here.

    01 samedi 5 juillet 2008 Brest - Plumelec
    02 dimanche 6 juillet 2008 Auray - St Brieuc
    03 lundi 7 juillet 2008 St Malo - Nantes
    04 mardi 8 juillet 2008 C.L.M par équipes Vallet - Cholet
    05 mercredi 9 juillet 2008 Bressuire - Limoges ou Cholet - Châteauroux
    06 jeudi 10 juillet 2008 Limoges ou La Châtre - Super-Besse
    07 vendredi 11 juillet 2008 Besse - Aurillac
    08 samedi 12 juillet 2008 Aurillac - Montauban
    09 dimanche 13 juillet 2008 C.L.M Montauban - Toulouse
    lundi 14 juillet 2008 Repos
    10 mardi 15 juillet 2008 Pau - Cauterets ou Hautacam
    11 mercredi 16 juillet 2008 ? - Plateau de Beille ou Ax-3-Domaine
    12 jeudi 17 juillet 2008 ? - Perpignan
    13 vendredi 18 juillet 2008 Perpignan - Nîmes
    14 samedi 19 juillet 2008 Nîmes - Dignes
    15 dimanche 20 juillet 2008 ? - Prato Nevoso ou Dignes - Région de Cunéo
    lundi 21 juillet 2008 Repos
    16 mardi 22 juillet 2008 Cunéo ou Embrun - L'Alpe D'Huez
    17 mercredi 23 juillet 2008 Le Bourg d'Oisans - Chamrousse
    18 jeudi 24 juillet 2008 Grenoble - Roanne
    19 vendredi 25 juillet 2008 Roanne - Moulin ou Montluçon
    20 samedi 26 juillet 2008 C.L.M St Amand-Montrond - Cérilly
    21 dimanche 27 juillet 2008 ? -Paris
    Rich
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    Putting these sources together, I deduce the following...

    S05 Jul08 Brest > Plumelec
    S06 Jul08 Auray > Saint-Brieuc
    M07 Jul08 Saint-Malo > Nantes
    T08 Jul08 ??? > ??? [Team TT]
    W09 Jul08 ??? > ???
    T10 Jul08 ??? > ???
    F11 Jul08 Besse > Aurillac
    S12 Jul08 Figéac - Toulouse
    S13 Jul08 Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre
    M14 Jul08 Pau > Hautacam
    T15 Jul08 REST DAY
    W16 Jul08 Lannemezan > Foix
    T17 Jul08 ??? > Perpignan
    F18 Jul08 Perpignan > Nîmes
    S19 Jul08 Nîmes > Digne-les-Bains
    S20 Jul08 Digne-les-Bains > Cuneo, Italy
    M21 Jul08 REST DAY
    T22 Jul08 Cuneo, Italy > Guillestre
    W23 Jul08 Embrun > Alpe d'Huez
    T24 Jul08 Grenoble > Roanne
    F25 Jul08 Roanne > Montluçon
    S26 Jul08 Saint-Amand-Montrond > Cérilly [TT]
    S27 Jul08 ??? > Paris Champs Elysées

    Starting to look a little more possible, no?
    Rich
  • leguape
    leguape Posts: 986
    Titanium wrote:
    bwanasimba wrote:
    2 cols eh?

    ....I heard a rumour a couple of weeks ago that it would be Madeleine and Ventoux...will someone buy me a triple if it is? :lol:
    You'll need a quadruple.

    A route like that's gotta be 250km+? There are two Cols de la Madeleine, and both are far away from the Ventoux.

    [Edit: Rich beat me to it, I was slow to reply]

    There's also one very close to the Ventoux that has appeared on routes roundthat way in the past. But every year, without fail, a rumour seems to go round that it's the Ventoux this year and it never seems to materialise.
    http://www.atomicecho.com/cycling
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    The latest...

    S05 Jul08 Brest > Plumelec
    S06 Jul08 Auray > Saint-Brieuc
    M07 Jul08 Saint-Malo > Nantes
    T08 Jul08 Valler > Cholet [Team TT]
    W09 Jul08 Cholet > Châteauroux
    T10 Jul08 La Châtre > Super-Besse
    F11 Jul08 Besse > Aurillac
    S12 Jul08 Figéac - Toulouse
    S13 Jul08 Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre
    M14 Jul08 Pau > Hautacam
    T15 Jul08 REST DAY
    W16 Jul08 Lannemezan > Foix
    T17 Jul08 Lavelanet > Perpignan
    F18 Jul08 Perpignan > Nîmes
    S19 Jul08 Nîmes > Digne-les-Bains
    S20 Jul08 Digne-les-Bains > Cuneo, Italy
    M21 Jul08 REST DAY
    T22 Jul08 Cuneo, Italy > Guillestre
    W23 Jul08 Embrun > Alpe d'Huez
    T24 Jul08 Bourg d'Oisans > Roanne
    F25 Jul08 Roanne > Montluçon
    S26 Jul08 Saint-Amand-Montrond > Cérilly [TT]
    S27 Jul08 ??? > Paris Champs Elysées
    Rich
  • NlEDERMEYER
    NlEDERMEYER Posts: 1,343
    Pau - Hautacam seems to be biggest rumour for the Etape, but doesn't make sense on a lot of levels
    1 - only one way up or down to the finish, so either a contraflow or riders stuck at top (unlike Alpe d'Huez, bugger-all up there)
    2 - If on normal date (first rest day) it will be the day after the pro's - logistical nightmare, hotels etc (plus start village would be on same dy and place as TDF stage)
    3 Pyrenees over - exposed : 2001 Tarbes - Luz Ardiden (pracytically same route) 2004 Pau- Bayonne, 2005 Mourenx-Pau, 2007 Foix - Loudenvielle

    My tip - long shot, but Nimes to Digne over Ventoux from Malaucene - about 245km - tasty! :twisted:
    Bulbous also tapered
  • jhop
    jhop Posts: 369
    Only a small point but as it was my first etape I seem to recall that Pau - Bayonne was in 2003 not 2004.
    In 2004 I did my second etape and that was I think Limoges - St Flour.
    I agree with your general point though that Pau is over used and hope your outside bet is proved right.
  • craigenty
    craigenty Posts: 960
    The Col de La Madelaine (458m), 8 km to the North West of Bedoin has just been re-surfaced :wink:

    Craig
    Craig


    http://www.veloventoux.com
    Check us out on Facebook
    http://tinyurl.com/6nx8afo
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    craigenty wrote:
    The Col de La Madelaine (458m), 8 km to the North West of Bedoin has just been re-surfaced
    I've seen speculation like this on financial websites: "the chief exec was lunching with so and so". Just because a bumpy road gets resurfaced... especially before winter?

    I've got it on good - but not certain - authority it's finishing at Hautacam. You heard it here first. 8)
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    NlEDERMEYER wrote:

    My tip - long shot, but Nimes to Digne over Ventoux from Malaucene - about 245km - tasty! :twisted:

    Sounds a good route, Mike-but on which day?
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • craigenty
    craigenty Posts: 960
    Ken Night wrote:
    NlEDERMEYER wrote:

    My tip - long shot, but Nimes to Digne over Ventoux from Malaucene - about 245km - tasty! :twisted:

    Sounds a good route, Mike-but on which day?

    Sounds like a waste of a good mountain to me.
    :cry: However there has also been lots and lots of re-surfacing work done to the east of Mont Ventoux heading out towards Sisteron and Digne les Bains

    Craig
    Craig


    http://www.veloventoux.com
    Check us out on Facebook
    http://tinyurl.com/6nx8afo
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    craigenty wrote:
    Ken Night wrote:
    NlEDERMEYER wrote:

    My tip - long shot, but Nimes to Digne over Ventoux from Malaucene - about 245km - tasty! :twisted:

    Sounds a good route, Mike-but on which day?

    Sounds like a waste of a good mountain to me.
    :cry: However there has also been lots and lots of re-surfacing work done to the east of Mont Ventoux heading out towards Sisteron and Digne les Bains

    Craig

    I think you may be missing the rumour stage of Digne le Bains to Cuneo which could have a fair chance of climbing the La Bonnette/Restefonde, the highest pass in Europe.
    It's not been used since Robert Miller dropped Delgado there.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • craigenty
    craigenty Posts: 960
    deejay wrote:
    craigenty wrote:
    Ken Night wrote:
    NlEDERMEYER wrote:

    My tip - long shot, but Nimes to Digne over Ventoux from Malaucene - about 245km - tasty! :twisted:

    Sounds a good route, Mike-but on which day?

    Sounds like a waste of a good mountain to me.
    :cry: However there has also been lots and lots of re-surfacing work done to the east of Mont Ventoux heading out towards Sisteron and Digne les Bains

    Craig

    I think you may be missing the rumour stage of Digne le Bains to Cuneo which could have a fair chance of climbing the La Bonnette/Restefonde, the highest pass in Europe.
    It's not been used since Robert Miller dropped Delgado there.

    Digne les Bains to Cuneo via the Bonnette would be 300km.

    Craig
    Craig


    http://www.veloventoux.com
    Check us out on Facebook
    http://tinyurl.com/6nx8afo
  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    craigenty wrote:
    Digne les Bains to Cuneo via the Bonnette would be 300km.

    Craig

    A proper "old skool" stage then. That'll be the one for the Etape.

    :D
  • BBracket
    BBracket Posts: 2
    edited October 2007
    The etape can't cross national borders surely, it can't easily be the day before or after the pros do the same stage (clearing up / setting up signs / feed stations / clutter of vans on the mountain etc), is normally on the first rest day, is usually about 5 days to a week before the pros do the stage, often alternates Pyrenees/Alps, involves one or more 'headline' cols, probably wouldn't repeat Alpe d'H so soon...
    That leaves only one date and one stage that meets all these criteria!

    PS What time of day is the announcement on the 25th? Is there a live feed of the event anywhere? What is the quickest way to find out on the day?
  • craigenty
    craigenty Posts: 960
    I love this rumour mill! Every year!

    Last year everyone was a million miles out with their guesses!! :lol:
    Craig
    Craig


    http://www.veloventoux.com
    Check us out on Facebook
    http://tinyurl.com/6nx8afo
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    craigenty wrote:
    deejay wrote:


    I think you may be missing the rumour stage of Digne le Bains to Cuneo which could have a fair chance of climbing the La Bonnette/Restefonde, the highest pass in Europe.
    It's not been used since Robert Miller dropped Delgado there.

    Digne les Bains to Cuneo via the Bonnette would be 300km.

    So thats one rumour thrown out as there are not many variables of distance between those two Towns.

    The other point I have raised before is this ASO v UCI problem and will the ASO ignore the UCI guide lines on length of stages/compulsory rest days and have a deliberate TDF that upsets the UCI.

    Not long to find out ! ! !
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • BBracket
    BBracket Posts: 2
    craigenty wrote:
    I love this rumour mill! Every year!

    Last year everyone was a million miles out with their guesses!! :lol:
    Craig

    Nearly everyone... (I don't like to boast but) I booked a hotel in Foix 2 days before the announcement!
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    Niedermeyer was right last year on a similar thread.....about a week before the announcement

    Having done three, I said I wasn't going to do it again, but I'm already getting excited
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • 53x25
    53x25 Posts: 2
    So are we agreed.. the Etape route for 2008 will be 15th July Nimes to Digne-les-Bains (going over Ventoux)...???
  • Titanium
    Titanium Posts: 2,056
    Hautacam :wink:

    A 300km stage would be great but sadly banned under UCI rules, the max length has to be 240km, although you can have a long neutralized zone. Exemptions exist for certain classics, like Milano - San Remo
  • ricadus
    ricadus Posts: 2,379
    150 km 3 big cols stage through the Alps to Albertville on Sunday 13th July.
    Tour de France
  • kmahony
    kmahony Posts: 380
    So for the Etape we're expecting something like one of these?:

    Alpe d'Huez
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2006//t ... s/tour0615

    Albertville:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/results/1998 ... ics/16.gif

    Hautacam:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/results/2000 ... st10.shtml

    Ventoux:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2002/to ... es/stage14
    http://2008etape.blogspot.com/
  • Richie G
    Richie G Posts: 283
    Pardon my ignorance, but how come there's no Prologue? Are the organisers keen to have sprinter in yellow this year?
  • Chopster
    Chopster Posts: 14
    Just found this:

    Pau - Hautacam 6th July 2008

    http://www.letapedutour.com/2008/ETDT/p ... rcours.htm
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Route here

    http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/index.html
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    1 Plain Saturday 5 July BrestPlumelec 195 km
    2 Plain Sunday 6 July AuraySaint-Brieuc 165 km
    3 Plain Monday 7 July Saint-MaloNantes 195 km
    4 Individual time-trial Tuesday 8 July CholetCholet 29 km
    5 Plain Wednesday 9 July CholetChâteauroux 230 km
    6 Medium mountains Thursday 10 July AigurandeSuper-Besse Sancy 195 km
    7 Medium mountains Friday 11 July BrioudeAurillac 158 km
    8 Plain Saturday 12 July FigeacToulouse 174 km
    9 High Mountains Sunday 13 July ToulouseBagnères-de-Bigorre 222 km
    10 High Mountains Monday 14 July PauHautacam 154 km
    R Rest Day Tuesday 15 July Pau
    11 Medium mountains Wednesday 16 July LannemezanFoix 166 km
    12 Plain Thursday 17 July LavelanetNarbonne 168 km
    13 Plain Friday 18 July NarbonneNîmes 182 km
    14 Plain Saturday 19 July NîmesDigne-les-Bains 182 km
    15 High Mountains Sunday 20 July Digne-les-BainsPrato Nevoso 216 km
    R Rest Day Monday 21 July Cuneo
    16 High Mountains Tuesday 22 July CuneoJausiers 157 km
    17 High Mountains Wednesday 23 July EmbrunL'Alpe-d'Huez 210 km
    18 Medium mountains Thursday 24 July Bourg-d'OisansSaint-Étienne 197 km
    19 Plain Friday 25 July RoanneMontluçon 163 km
    20 Individual time-trial Saturday 26 July CérillySaint-Amand-Montrond 53 km
    21 Plain Sunday 27 July ÉtampesParis Champs-Élysées 143 km
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.

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