Five days to go and not a complete route rumour in sight. Some of the early climbs been identified and some in the Alps and a day before Paris TT up Planche Belle Filled but first 10 days is sketchy. Just have to wait
One year after a high-altitude edition on the alpine peaks, the 2020 Tour is announced once again very mountainous: a choice above all linked to the great departure of Nice, at the foot of the passes. Race director Thierry Gouvenou even announced that the Tour "will hardly leave the mountains.......".
Visiting all 5 mountain ranges apparently.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
Today is the. day that has always set up my next summer. It's a type of sports equinox
I will be celebrating with champagne from a low volume producer near Epernay. 1988 of course - the year of my first tour and a cheeky blast on my crack pipe
from L'equipe;
Col de la Loze, le nouveau col alpin du Tour 2020
L'étape reine du Tour 2020, dont le parcours est présenté aujourd'hui, franchira la Madeleine et s'achèvera au sommet du col de la Loze, une montée inédite au final spectaculaire, appelée à devenir un classique de la Grande Boucle.
seems like the col Loze has 6km of newly paved road taking it up to 2304m.
from L'equipe;
Col de la Loze, le nouveau col alpin du Tour 2020
L'étape reine du Tour 2020, dont le parcours est présenté aujourd'hui, franchira la Madeleine et s'achèvera au sommet du col de la Loze, une montée inédite au final spectaculaire, appelée à devenir un classique de la Grande Boucle.
seems like the col Loze has 6km of newly paved road taking it up to 2304m.
oh are they doing that? I rode that this summer, up above Courchevel. Nuts road, cycle only, very smooth, but has a bit of everything downhill, flat, gradual climbs and some steep ramps. Descent the other side down to La Tania pretty epic too...
from L'equipe;
Col de la Loze, le nouveau col alpin du Tour 2020
L'étape reine du Tour 2020, dont le parcours est présenté aujourd'hui, franchira la Madeleine et s'achèvera au sommet du col de la Loze, une montée inédite au final spectaculaire, appelée à devenir un classique de la Grande Boucle.
seems like the col Loze has 6km of newly paved road taking it up to 2304m.
oh are they doing that? I rode that this summer, up above Courchevel. Nuts road, cycle only, very smooth, but has a bit of everything downhill, flat, gradual climbs and some steep ramps. Descent the other side down to La Tania pretty epic too...
They're going up the Meribel side (it doesn't descent to La Tania btw Dish!). same as they L'Avenir did this year. It's very, very tough in places on the new road, and pretty narrow. The team busses won't be at the top!
Loved the way that the ASO had Froome limp onto the stage in the middle of a bunch of French "C" grade riders.
Still, Kirby got one back for the Anglos by calling Bardet, Barguil.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
With a massive 36km of ITT-ing and uphill, it will be interesting to see what Dumoulin decides; Tour or Giro/Vuelta double - and leave the Tour for Roglic?
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
All Road/ Gravel: tbcWinter: tbcMTB: tbcRoad: tbc"Look at the time...." "he's fallen like an old lady on a cruise ship..."
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
With a massive 36km of ITT-ing and uphill, it will be interesting to see what Dumoulin decides; Tour or Giro/Vuelta double - and leave the Tour for Roglic?
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
Dumolin did not join Jumbo to do any other race than the Tour.
You must remember how big the Tour is in the Netherlands. Gigantic doesn't cover it.
With a massive 36km of ITT-ing and uphill, it will be interesting to see what Dumoulin decides; Tour or Giro/Vuelta double - and leave the Tour for Roglic?
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
Dumolin did not join Jumbo to do any other race than the Tour.
You must remember how big the Tour is in the Netherlands. Gigantic doesn't cover it.
The Dutch over on CN agree with Andy and don't think Dumoulin will be at all interested in tackling this route.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
With a massive 36km of ITT-ing and uphill, it will be interesting to see what Dumoulin decides; Tour or Giro/Vuelta double - and leave the Tour for Roglic?
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
Dumolin did not join Jumbo to do any other race than the Tour.
You must remember how big the Tour is in the Netherlands. Gigantic doesn't cover it.
It's his chance to win an Olympic gold medal next year though
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
Yet I think this sort of route favours the stronger teams. Consistency will be the key. And strong teams will be able to dictate affairs.
Posts
Rumour is La Planche de Belle Filles will be the only ITT of 22kms on stage 20.
Then there's this.
https://www.francebleu.fr/emissions/l-i ... e-8h20-190
https://www.ouest-france.fr/tour-de-fra ... ou-6564062
Visiting all 5 mountain ranges apparently.
I will be celebrating with champagne from a low volume producer near Epernay. 1988 of course - the year of my first tour and a cheeky blast on my crack pipe
Col de la Loze, le nouveau col alpin du Tour 2020
L'étape reine du Tour 2020, dont le parcours est présenté aujourd'hui, franchira la Madeleine et s'achèvera au sommet du col de la Loze, une montée inédite au final spectaculaire, appelée à devenir un classique de la Grande Boucle.
seems like the col Loze has 6km of newly paved road taking it up to 2304m.
oh are they doing that? I rode that this summer, up above Courchevel. Nuts road, cycle only, very smooth, but has a bit of everything downhill, flat, gradual climbs and some steep ramps. Descent the other side down to La Tania pretty epic too...
ouch
They're going up the Meribel side (it doesn't descent to La Tania btw Dish!). same as they L'Avenir did this year. It's very, very tough in places on the new road, and pretty narrow. The team busses won't be at the top!
Planche time trial will be interesting, are they the only TT kilometres this year?
That's the climb from Courchevel which is the easier side. The tour is coming up from the Meribel side which has 15%+ pitches.
This is the harder side:
Still, Kirby got one back for the Anglos by calling Bardet, Barguil.
As is the recent norm, a pretty poor amount of TT kilometres - the ASO are petrified certain teams/riders will dominate; so put as least in as possible.
Froome seems to think as much
https://twitter.com/chrisfroome/status/1184052397364125697
https://mobile.twitter.com/laflammeroug ... 76/photo/1
Dumolin did not join Jumbo to do any other race than the Tour.
You must remember how big the Tour is in the Netherlands. Gigantic doesn't cover it.
https://www.letour.fr/en/stage-18
The Dutch over on CN agree with Andy and don't think Dumoulin will be at all interested in tackling this route.
This poor map has caught chicken pox
Too many average mountains and no real final showdown.
Do you mean a solo mountain raid on the final day of proper racing? Or teams having to force a selection in crosswinds to claw back time?
A rideable distance from my house too
The Moser
The VN