Tour de France 2010 Live Dashboard

For the second year in a row, Andy Schleck is runner-up to Alberto Contador. 400+ Big Photos from all stages Route Map  |  Stages  |  Preview  |  News  |  Startlist  |  Live Coverage  |  TV  |  2009  |  2008

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2010 Tour de France Teams Team Rosters and Withdrawals Group riders by: or Printable Startlist — radsport

2011 Tour de France route announcment is Tuesday, October 19th

News and Updates for Tour de France 2010

Next up: Clásica San Sebastián 2010 (Saturday July 31st)

  2010 Tour de France Highlights from All Stages (09:06 english) — versus
  París se rinde ante Contador, tricampeón del Tour (09:09 spanish) — rtve.es
Contador returns to massive acclaim in Spain — cyclingnews

Stage 20 results: Mark Cavendish wins his fifth stage, but Alessandro Petacchi hangs on to the Green Jersey; Alberto Contador makes his GC win official

18 Big Photos from Stage 20 — sirotti + reuters

Stage 20 results
1  CAVENDISH Mark (TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA)              2h 42' 21" 
2  PETACCHI Alessandro (LAMPRE - FARNESE) 
3  DEAN Julian (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)
4  ROELANDTS Jürgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)
5  FREIRE Oscar (RABOBANK)
6  CIOLEK Gerald (TEAM MILRAM)
7  HUSHOVD Thor (CERVELO TEST TEAM)
8  BRESCHEL Matti (TEAM SAXO BANK)
9  MC EWEN Robbie (KATUSHA TEAM)
10 OSS Daniel (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)

General Classification after Stage 20
1  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                          
2  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                           + 00' 39"
3  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 02' 01"
4  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 03' 40"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 06' 54"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 09' 31"
7  HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 10' 15"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 11' 37"
9  KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                   + 11' 54"
10 HORNER Christopher (RADIOSHACK)                    + 12' 02"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Cavendish repeats on Champs-Élysées finale — cyclingnews
Contador Wins Third Tour Title (with post-race quotes) — nytimes
Petacchi emotional about green jersey success — cyclingnews
Tour de France: Astana takes home nearly half a million euros — velonation
AFP/Getty Photos
  Last Km (02:02 english) — versus
  2010 Tour de France Highlights (02:44 english) — versus
  Crashes and Thrills (00:53 english) — versus
  Scenic Images from the 2010 Route (01:36 english) — versus
  Final Yellow Jersey Presentation (01:37) — versus
  Final White Jersey Presentation (02:10) — versus
  Final Green Jersey Presentation (01:43) — versus
  GC Podium: The Top Three Finishers (coming) — versus
  Team Classification Presentation (02:07) — versus
18 Big Photos from Stage 20 — sirotti + reuters
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  ITV stage 20 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (17:32) — ITV
Lance Armstrong: I couldn’t abandon my last Tour de France — velonation
Spanish press heralds Alberto Contador as the new Miguel Indurain — velonews
Best Quotes of Le Tour 2010 — thefredcast

July 24 update:  
Stage 20 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 20 in english and en français (00:57) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 20 (coming) — versus

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Stage 19 results: Fabian Cancellara's early best time stands; Alberto Contador extends his overall lead guaranteeing victory

32 Big Photos from Stage 19 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Stage 19 results
1  CANCELLARA Fabian (TEAM SAXO BANK)                1h 00' 56"  
2  MARTIN Tony (TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA)                 1h 01' 13" + 00' 17"
3  GRABSCH Bert (TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA)                1h 02' 44" + 01' 48"
4  KONOVALOVAS Ignatas (CERVELO TEST TEAM)           1h 03' 30" + 02' 34"
5  ZABRISKIE David (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)            1h 03' 56" + 03' 00"
6  MOERENHOUT Koos (RABOBANK)                        1h 03' 59" + 03' 03"
7  KIRYIENKA Vasil (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)                1h 04' 06" + 03' 10"
8  TJALLINGII Maarten (RABOBANK)                     1h 04' 17" + 03' 21"
9  WIGGINS Bradley (SKY PRO CYCLING)                 1h 04' 29" + 03' 33"
10 THOMAS Geraint (SKY PRO CYCLING)                  1h 04' 34" + 03' 38"

General Classification after Stage 19
1  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                        89h 08' 20"  
2  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                           + 00' 39"
3  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 02' 01"
4  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 03' 40"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 06' 54"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 09' 31"
7  HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 10' 15"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 11' 37"
9  KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                   + 11' 54"
10 HORNER Christopher (RADIOSHACK)                    + 12' 02"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Contador bests Schleck, remains in yellow — cyclingnews
 Contador wankelt, maar houdt stand in de tijdrit (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Contador elated but admits he struggled — cyclingnews
Chris Horner and Ryder Hesjedal go from watercarriers to stars — velonews
Menchov finally on the podium in Paris — cyclingnews
Cancellara happy to fill gap on his palmarès — cyclingnews
  Stage 19 Early Action/ Top Rides (01:08) — versus
  Stage 19 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (coming) — versus
  ITV stage 19 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (17:32) — ITV
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  Winner's interview (01:24 english) — sbs
  Michael Rogers Post-Stage 19 (02:14 english) — sbs
  Andy Schleck Post-Stage 19 (01:22 english) — sbs
32 Big Photos from Stage 19 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 23 update:  
Stage 19 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 19 in english and en français (01:31) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 19 (01:17) — versus
Contador and Schleck confident before final TT — cyclingnews
Stage 19 ITT Start Order and Times (CET; subtract 6 hrs for EDT)
Hundreds of Big Photos from the first 18 stages — sirotti/reuters

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Stage 18 results: Mark Cavendish easily wins in Bordeaux

15 Big Photos from Stage 18 — sirotti + reuters

Stage 18 results
1  CAVENDISH Mark (TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA)             4h 37' 09"  (42.9 kph)
2  DEAN Julian (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)
3  PETACCHI Alessandro (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
4  MC EWEN Robbie (KATUSHA TEAM)
5  FREIRE Oscar (RABOBANK)
6  HAGEN Edvald Boasson (SKY PRO CYCLING)
7  ROELANDTS Jürgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)
8  ROJAS Jose Joaquin (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)
9  BOLE Grega (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
10 PEREZ MORENO Ruben (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)

General Classification after Stage 18
1  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                          
2  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                           + 00' 08"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 03' 32"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 03' 53"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 05' 27"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 06' 41"
7  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 07' 03"
8  HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 09' 18"
9  KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                   + 10' 12"
10 HORNER Christopher (TEAM RADIOSHACK)               + 10' 37"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Cavendish rockets to stage win in Bordeaux — cyclingnews
 Ongenaakbare Cavendish pakt vierde ritzege (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Mark Cavendish wins in Bordeaux, his 14th Tour de France stage win — velonews
Hushovd's quest for green jersey over — cyclingnews
  Winner's Interview (01:29 english  french-translation) — letour
  Stage 18 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (01:34) — versus
Tour de France Family Owners Top Alberto Contador in Money Race — bloomberg
  ITV stage 18 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (15:52) — ITV
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
15 Big Photos from Stage 18 — sirotti + reuters

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 22 update:  
Stage 18 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 18 in english and en français (01:13) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 18 (01:26) — versus
19 Big Photos from the first 17 stages — sirotti/reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv

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Le Direct: Live Streaming Video and TV Coverage

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 22 update: A work in progress for Tour de France 2010 worldwide tv coverage and online video streaming. Most live feeds will be country restricted, but unrestricted links will appear in bold. Check back at race time for more links. Feel free to send in additional sources for live video, tv coverage or text updates/tickers as they become known. — Steve

media source	tv or internet	comments/restrictions
	live video (english)    live video (english)    live video (english)    live video (english)    live video (hungarian)    live video (french)    live video (german)    live video (spanish)    live audio (english)   tv schedule  live ticker (english)	Europe; live daily coverage and rebroadcasts in 59 countries. Stage 20 live Audio languages: EN | FR | DE | ES | IT Ticker languages: EN | FR | DE | ES | IT
	live video (french)    live video (french)   tv schedule	France; official source for pre-race, live, post coverage
	live video (english)    live video ($ english)   tv schedule	United States; live coverage and nightly rebroadcasts on tv
	live video (english)    live video (english)   tv schedule	UK; "For the first time, ITV4 will broadcast live coverage from every stage of the 2010 Tour de France, as well as comprehensive previews and daily highlights" daily podcasts
	live video (japanese)   tv schedule	Japanese;
	live video (spanish)    live video (spanish)   tv schedule	Spain; TVE1, TVE2, Teledeporte Tour de Francia live tv and internet coverage. Spanish Dashboard
	live video (spanish)   tv schedule	Latin America, Caribbean & other Spanish-speaking regions; Tour de Francia live covarage of the last two hours & 30 mins of highlights every day
	live video (english)    live video (english)   tv schedule	Australia; SBS live tv and online coverage; highlights; Aussie Dashboard
	tv schedule	Canada; OLN live coverage
	tv schedule	French Canada; Quebec and surrounding areas
	live video (english)   tv schedule	South Africa; Super Sport live tv and online coverage
	live video (english)   tv schedule	New Zealand; SkySport live tv and online coverage; highlights
	live video (italian)   tv schedule	Italy; RAI Tre live coverage restricted to Italy
	live video (dutch)   tv schedule	Netherlands; Dutch
	live video (german)   tv schedule	Germany; ZDF live coverage
	live video (german)   tv schedule	Germany; ARD live coverage
	live video (flemish)   tv schedule	Belgium; Sporza Ronde van Frankrijk live coverage Sporza TourTracker link to come
	live video (french)    live video (french)   tv schedule	Belgium; French
	live video (luxembourgish)   tv schedule	Luxembourg; Luxembourguish
	live video (german)   tv schedule	Switzerland, Germany; German
	live video (french)   tv schedule	Romande; French
	live video (gaelic)   tv schedule	Ireland; Gaelic TG4 live tv and internet coverage
	live video (danish)   tv schedule	Denmark; live and rebroadcasts; Danish Dashboard and TourTracker
	live video (norwegian)   tv schedule	Norway
	live text updates    live audio (english)   radio schedule	UK; live audio of the final hour each day on the BBC Sport website and updates on BBC Radio 5
	live audio (francais)
	tv schedule	TV listings for all other parts of the world including Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America... to come
	official live ticker	Gap tickers all languages: EN | FR | DE | ES Also see: EN FR | DE | ES
	live text updates	English
	live text updates ES live text updates EN	Spanish text updates for Tour de Francia from Biciciclismo.
	live ticker (german)	German text updates
	steephill text updates  #tdf twitter group	short text updates from any and everyone
check back at race time for more and updated links; send a comment or a new live link

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Stage 17 results: Andy Schleck drops everyone but Alberto Contador on Col du Tourmalet; Contador looking good in Yellow

35 Big Photos from Stage 17 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Stage 17 results
1  SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK)                     5h 03' 29"  
2  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                         
3  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 01' 18"
4  HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 01' 27"
5  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 01' 32"
6  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 01' 40"
7  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                          
8  HORNER Christopher (TEAM RADIOSHACK)               + 01' 45"
9  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 01' 48"
10 KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                   + 02' 14"

General Classification after Stage 17
1  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                        83h 32' 39"  
2  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                           + 00' 08"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 03' 32"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 03' 53"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 05' 27"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 06' 41"
7  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 07' 03"
8  HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 09' 18"
9  KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                   + 10' 12"
10 HORNER Christopher (TEAM RADIOSHACK)               + 10' 37"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Schleck takes stage win atop Col du Tourmalet — cyclingnews
 Schleck krijgt Contador niet uit geel op Tourmalet (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Schleck wins on the foggy Tourmalet, but can’t drop Contador — velonews
Contador not ready to celebrate yet — cyclingnews
Armstrong: I wish I was younger, faster — cyclingnews
Still smilin’: Chris Horner climbs into the Tour de France’s top 10 on Tourmalet — velonews
  Sammy Sanchez crash early in the stage (02:59) — versus
  Last 2 km (10:59 flemish) — sporza
35 Big Photos from Stage 17 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton
  Alberto Contador Post-Stage 17 (01:01) — versus
  Last Km (03:28 english) — versus
  Stage 17 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (03:09) — versus
  Chris Horner Post-Stage 17 (01:29) — versus
  Ryder Hesjedal Post-Stage 17 (01:12) — versus
  Andy Schleck Post-Stage 17 (01:25) — versus
  Winner's Interview (00:56 french  english-translation) — letour
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  ITV stage 17 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (18:47) — ITV
Sastre: "Cycling is turning into a sport for spoilt brats" — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Chris Horner's Stage 17 Team RadioShack diary — blog.oregonlive
Throw out the unwritten rule book — tdf.sbs.au

July 21 update:
 Stage 17 Interactive map, essential links and written preview (now posted) — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Reflects on this year's Tour: in english and en français (02:34) — letour.fr
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 17 in english and en français (01:30) — letour.fr
Schleck’s rest-day promise: ‘I will attack on the Tourmalet’ — velonew
Andy Schleck talks tough before Tourmalet showdown — cyclingnews
Leipheimer: Tour podium unlikely, “but anything can happen” — velonews
Tour de France takes a day of rest in Pau — cyclingnews

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Stage 16 results: Pierrick Fedrigo wins the bunch sprint in Pau for his third career Tour win; No change at the top of the GC

33 Big Photos from Stage 16 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Stage 16 results
1  FEDRIGO Pierrick (BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM)          5h 31' 43" 
2  CASAR Sandy (FDJ)
3  PLAZA MOLINA Ruben (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)
4  CUNEGO Damiano (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
5  HORNER Christopher (TEAM RADIOSHACK)
6  ARMSTRONG Lance (TEAM RADIOSHACK)
7  VAN DE WALLE Jurgen (QUICK STEP)
8  MOREAU Christophe (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)
9  BARREDO Carlos (QUICK STEP)                        + 00' 28"
10 HUSHOVD Thor (CERVELO TEST TEAM)                   + 06' 45"

General Classification after Stage 16
1  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                        
2  SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK)                      + 00' 08"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 02' 00"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 02' 13"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 03' 39"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 05' 01"
7  LEIPHEIMER Levi (RADIOSHACK)                       + 05' 25"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 05' 45"
9  VINOKOUROV Alexandre (ASTANA)                      + 07' 12"
10 HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 07' 51"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Fedrigo prevails in Pau — cyclingnews
 Fédrigo gunt Armstrong geen memorabel afscheid (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Fedrigo wins another for France as Armstrong joins breakaway; GC unchanged — velonews
Fédrigo elated to win history-laden stage — cyclingnews
Basso finishes in the gruppetto — cyclingnews
Hushovd perseveres in Pyrenees, reclaims green jersey — cyclingnews
Armstrong rides to sixth in Pau — cyclingnews
'Finish' will have to be enough for Lance — espn
Jens Voigt crashed hard on descent 2.0 — velonation
  Stage 16 Finish and Extended Highlights (22:23 italian) — rai
  Last 6 km (10:59 flemish) — sporza
  Winner's Interview (01:00 french  english-translation) — letour
How much time does Schleck need? — velonews
Contador and Schleck make up on French TV — cyclingnews
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  Stage 16 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (01:17) — versus
  Lance Armstrong Pre-Stage 16 (02:29) and Post-Stage 16 (01:58) — versus
  Andy Schleck Pre-Stage 16 (01:15) and Post-Stage 16 (00:57) — versus
  ITV stage 16 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (11:30) — ITV
Chris Horner's Team RadioShack Stage 16 diary — blog.oregonlive
Reactions from the Tour's 16th stage — cyclingnews
33 Big Photos from Stage 16 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 19 update:  
 Stage 16 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Four Part History of the Tour de France and the Pyrénées — versus
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 16 in english and en français (01:26) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 16 (01:25) — versus
19 Big Photos from the first 14 stages — sirotti/reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv
Yellow Jersey and Route Preview

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Stage 15 results: Thomas Voeckler wins off the front of the main break; Andy Schleck drops his chain at a key moment and loses the Yellow Jersey

28 Big Photos from Stage 15 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Stage 15 results
1  VOECKLER Thomas (BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM)           4h 44' 51" 
2  BALLAN Alessandro (BMC RACING TEAM)                + 01' 20"
3  PEREZ ARRIETA Aitor (FOOTON-SERVETTO)             
4  MONDORY Lloyd (AG2R LA MONDIALE)                   + 02' 50"
5  ROBERTS Luke (TEAM MILRAM)                       
6  REDA Francesco (QUICK STEP)
7  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)
8  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)
9  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)
10 VANDBORG Brian (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)
11 VAN SUMMEREN Johan (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)
12 SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK)                      + 03' 29"
13 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)
14 VINOKOUROV Alexandre (ASTANA)

General Classification after Stage 15
1  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                        
2  SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK)                      + 00' 08"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 02' 00"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 02' 13"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 03' 39"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 05' 01"
7  LEIPHEIMER Levi (RADIOSHACK)                       + 05' 25"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 05' 45"
9  VINOKOUROV Alexandre (ASTANA)                      + 07' 12"
10 HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 07' 51"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Voeckler victorious in Bagneres-de-Luchon — cyclingnews
 Contador pakt geel af van pechvogel Schleck (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Contador in yellow as Schleck suffers untimely mechanical at the Tour. France’s Voeckler wins the stage. — velonews
Schleck-Contador friendship turns sour following chain problem — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Alberto Contador: "Today, we could not do like we did in Spa." — velonation
Alberto Contador vs Andy Schleck, to wait or not to wait? — velonation
  Climb and Descent of Port de Balès (10:59 flemish) — sporza
  Johan Bruyneel Pre-Stage 15 (01:31 english) — versus
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  Winner's Interview (01:05 french  english-translation — letour
  Alberto's Post-Stage 15 Video Comments (01:34 spanish w/english subtitles) — albertocontador0com
Chris Horner's Stage 15 Team RadioShack diary — blog.oregonlive
  The remaining climb after Andy Schleck drops his chain (07:18 english) — versus
Reactions from the Tour's 15th stage — cyclingnews
28 Big Photos from Stage 15 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton
  Stage 15 Finish (04:14 english) — versus
  ITV stage 15 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (18:09) — ITV
John Gadret ignores his team leader and team director — nicolasroche
July 18 update:  
Stage 15 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 15 in english and en français (01:26) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 15 (01:33) — versus
Big Photos from the first 14 stages — sirotti/reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv
Yellow Jersey and Route Preview

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Stage 14 results: Christophe Riblon solos Ax-3 Domaines to the give the French their fourth win at this year's Tour

35 Big Photos from Stage 14 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton

Stage 14 results
1  RIBLON Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)              4h 52' 42" 
2  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 00' 54"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)             
4  SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK)                      + 01' 08"
5  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)         
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                        
7  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)               
8  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO) 
9  CUNEGO Damiano (LAMPRE - FARNESE)                  + 01' 49"
10 SASTRE Carlos (CERVELO TEST TEAM)  
11 LEIPHEIMER Levi (TEAM RADIOSHACK)                  + 01' 53"
12 HESJEDAL Ryder (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)              + 02' 00"
13 VINOKOUROV Alexandre (ASTANA)  
14 SANCHEZ Luis-Leon (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)               + 02' 02"
15 MOREAU Christophe (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)

General Classification after Stage 14
1  SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK)                    68h 02' 30" 
2  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                          + 00' 31"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)               + 02' 31"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                           + 02' 44"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 03' 31"
6  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                           + 04' 27"
7  LEIPHEIMER Levi (TEAM RADIOSHACK)                  + 04' 51"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA TEAM)            + 04' 58"
9  SANCHEZ Luis-Leon (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)               + 05' 56"
10 BASSO Ivan (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                        + 06' 52"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Riblon stellar in Ax-3 Domaines — cyclingnews
 Vinokoerov neemt revanche in Revel (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Riblon scores a French stage win as Schleck and Contador are inseparable — velonews
Lance Armstrong: crashes not result of distraction by federal inquiry — velonews
Wiggins admits he doesn't have the form — cyclingnews
Contador could not drop me, says Tour leader Schleck — reuters
  Last 3 km (10:59 flemish) — sporza
  Last Km (03:20 english) — versus
  Winner's Interview (00:42 french  english-translation — letour
  Winner Post-Stage 14 (01:28 english) — versus
  Stage 14 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (04:10) — versus
  Andy Schleck Post-Stage 14 (01:31 english) — versus
  ITV stage 14 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (22:12) — ITV
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
Chris Horner's Team RadioShack Stage 14 diary — blog.oregonlive
  Alberto's Stage 14 Video Comments (01:32 spanish w/english subtitles) — albertocontador0com
35 Big Photos from Stage 14 — sirotti + reuters + colin flockton
Reactions from the Tour's 14th stage — cyclingnews
  Bradley Wiggins: "I just haven't got it right this year" (05:47) — ozcyclingdotcom
  Time lapse video of the two climbs from a media car (05:53) — ozcyclingdotcom
Rabobank jubilant after first stage in Pyrenees — cyclingnews
July 17 update:  
 Stage 14 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Four Part History of the Tour de France and the Pyrénées — versus
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 14 in english and en français (01:48) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 14 (01:36) — versus
19 Big Photos from the first 13 stages — sirotti/reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv
Yellow Jersey and Route Preview

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Stage 13 results: Alexandre Vinokourov crushes the cat 3 climb, 6 km from the finish and thwarts a sprint finish

19 Big Photos from Stage 13 — sirotti + reuters

Stage 13 results
1  VINOKOUROV Alexandre  (ASTANA)                    4h 26' 26" 
2  CAVENDISH Mark (HTC - COLUMBIA)                    + 00' 13"
3  PETACCHI Alessandro (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
4  HAGEN Edvald Boasson (SKY PRO CYCLING)
5  ROJAS Jose Joaquin (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)
6  DEAN Julian (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)
7  GESLIN Anthony (FDJ)
8  HUSHOVD Thor (CERVELO TEST TEAM)
9  BOLE Grega (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
10 MONDORY Lloyd (AG2R LA MONDIALE)

General Classification after Stage 13
1  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                           
2  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                           + 00'31"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)                + 02'45"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                            + 02'58"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)        + 03'31"
6  LEIPHEIMER Levi (RADIOSHACK)                        + 04'06"
7  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                            + 04'27"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA)                  + 04'58"
9  SANCHEZ Luis-Leon (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)                + 05'02"
10 KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                    + 05'16

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Take two: Vinokourov revels in victory — cyclingnews
 Vinokoerov neemt revanche in Revel (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Alberto Contador confident as Tour heads for Pyrénées — velonews
Vinokourov scores, vows to help Contador win Tour de France — velonews
Hushovd sprints with half a team, loses green — ap/usatoday
  Last Km (02:10 english) — versus
  Winner's Interview (01:12 french  english-translation) — letour
  Last 8 km (10:58 flemish) — sporza
  Stage 13 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (02:04) — versus
  Andy Schleck Post-Stage 13 (00:53 english) — versus
  ITV stage 13 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (22:45) — ITV
Chris Horner's Team RadioShack Stage 13 diary — blog.oregonlive
19 Big Photos from Stage 13 — sirotti/reuters
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
July 16 update:  
Stage 13 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 13 in english and en français (01:01) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 13 (01:23) — versus
Big Photos from the first 12 stages — sirotti + reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv
Yellow Jersey and Route Preview

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Stage 12 results: Joaquin Rodriguez wins ahead of Alberto Contador after the main break is caught on the finishing climb; Contador gains on Andy Schleck

26 Big Photos from Stage 12 — sirotti/reuters

Stage 12 results
1  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA)                  4h58'26"   
2  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA) 
3  VINOKOUROV Alexandre  (ASTANA)                      + 00'04"
4  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen  (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)       + 00'10"
5  SCHLECK Andy  (SAXO BANK)                          
6  SANCHEZ Samuel  (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   
7  KLÖDEN Andréas  (RADIOSHACK)  
8  MENCHOV Denis  (RABOBANK)  
9  GESINK Robert  (RABOBANK)                           + 00'15"
10 KREUZIGER Roman  (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                   + 00'15"
11 LEIPHEIMER Levi (RADIOSHACK)                        + 00'17"

General Classification after Stage 12
1  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                          58h 42'01"  
2  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                           + 00'31"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)                + 02'45"
4  MENCHOV Denis (RABOBANK)                            + 02'58"
5  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)        + 03'31"
6  LEIPHEIMER Levi (RADIOSHACK)                        + 04'06"
7  GESINK Robert (RABOBANK)                            + 04'27"
8  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (KATUSHA)                  + 04'58"
9  SANCHEZ Luis-Leon (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)                + 05'02"
10 KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)                    + 05'16"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Rodriguez powers to victory in Mende — cyclingnews
Contador strikes, takes back 10 seconds from Schleck — velonews
Rodríguez now has his sights on the GC — cyclingnews
Schleck longing for Pyrenees after Pistolero show — cyclingnews
Contador lands psychological blow with Mende attack — cyclingnews
Leipheimer fights to defend sixth overall — cyclingnews
Hesjedal tests his limits on road to Mende — cyclingnews
  Last Km (01:58 english) — versus
  Stage 12 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (02:10) — versus
  Andy Schleck Post-Stage 12 (00:56) — versus
Farrar abandons Tour and puts dream of stage win on hold — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Jonathan Vaughters Post-Stage 12 (02:56) — bicyclingmag
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  ITV stage 12 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (13:25) — ITV
26 Big Photos from Stage 12 — sirotti/reuters
  Last 3 km (10:58 flemish) — sporza
  Winner's Interview (01:02 spanish  english-translation) — letour

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 15 update:  
  Stage 12 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 12 in english and en français (1:28) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 12 (coming) — versus
Big Photos from the first eleven stages — sirotti/reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv
Yellow Jersey and Route Preview

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Stage 11 results: Mark Renshaw leads out Mark Cavendish for another win and then closes the door on the other sprinters; No change on GC

17 Big Photos from Stage 11 — sirotti/reuters

Stage 11 results
1  CAVENDISH Mark (TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA)                 4h42'29"  
2  PETACCHI Alessandro (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
3  FARRAR Tyler (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)
4  ROJAS Jose Joaquin (CAISSE D’EPARGNE)
5  MC EWEN Robbie (KATUSHA)
6  ARASHIRO Yukiya (BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM)
7  HUSHOVD Thor (CERVELO TEST TEAM)
8  MONDORY Lloyd (AG2R LA MONDIALE)
9  ROELANDTS Jürgen (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)
10 CIOLEK Gerald (MILRAM)

General Classification after Stage 11
1  SCHLECK Andy (SAXO BANK)                              
2  CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA)                            + 00'41"
3  SANCHEZ Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)                 + 02'45"

Full Results (Click 'Stage Standing') — letour.fr
Cavendish takes win number three — cyclingnews
  Mark Cavendish spurt naar drie op drie (some video restricted to Belgium) — sporza.be
Cavendish gets another stage win at the Tour, Schleck retains yellow. Renshaw gets the hook — velonews
Renshaw disqualification overshadows Cavendish's win — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Last 3 km (06:51 flemish) — sporza
Renshaw hors course — lequipe.fr
Mark Renshaw thrown out for trying to headbutt Julian Dean in sprint — telegraph.co.uk
  Last Km (02:30 english) — versus
  Sprinting 101: Rules of the Group Sprint — cyclocosm
  Stage 11 Highlights narrated by Phil Liggett (02:42) — versus
  Tyler Farrar Post-Stage 11 Reaction (3:13) — ozcyclingdotcom
  Winner's Interview (01:10 english) — letour
  Julien Dean Post-Stage 11 (00:58 english) — versus
17 Big Photos from Stage 11 — sirotti/reuters
  Alessandro Petacchi Post-Stage 11 (01:54 english) — versus
Graham Watson Photos — grahamwatson
  ITV stage 11 podcast with Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman (13:26) — ITV
Reactions from the Tour's 11th stage — cyclingnews

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 14 update:  
Stage 11 Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
  Bernard Hinault Previews Stage 11 in english and en français (01:31) — letour.fr
  Bob Roll Previews Stage 11 (02:14) — versus
Big Photos from the first ten stages — sirotti/reuters
Official Startlist with withdrawals — steephill.tv
Yellow Jersey and Route Preview

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Stage 10: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 9: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 8: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 7: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 6: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 5: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 4: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 3: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 2: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Stage 1: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

Prologue: Results, Reports, Photos and Video

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Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

July 3 update:  
Prologue Interactive map and written preview — steephill.tv
Official Startlist — steephill.tv
Prologue ITT Start Order and Times (CEST) — cyclingnews
Cervélo pulls Florencio from Tour de France — cyclingnews
Prologue could be decided early — velonews
  Prologue Roundtable Preview (03:30) — versus
Big Photos from the Rotterdam Teams Presentation — sirotti
... and what would the Tour start be without some new juicy allegations:
  Floyd Landis Accuses Lance Armstrong of Doping (06:35)  |  Accompanying article — wsj

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July 3 update:  
Big Photos from the Rotterdam Teams Presentation — sirotti
  Aussie Interviews with Cadel Evans, Michael Rogers and Simon Gerrans (english) — sbs

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Official rosters with bib numbers now posted

July 1 update: The teams have been presented and their Tour de France rosters with bib numbers are now official barring any last minute sickness or injury.
Three ways to view the startlist: by team, native country or racing age

Team roster annoucements

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Yellow Jersey Previews

July 1 update:
Armstrong vs. Contador Part II as Tour de France looms — AP
As Rotterdam primps for prologue, Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme predicts a wide-open race — AFP
Tour de France: Likely Stories — podiumcafe
2010 Tour de France: Top contenders — bonnie ford/espn
  "Teaser" (02:45)  |  Roundtable Preview (05:03) — versus
Can Contador deliver another Tour win? (outdated) — cyclingnews
2010 Tour de France Route Analysis — steephill.tv
Garmin-Transitions ambitious in third Tour de France — velonews
Le Tour des Vins de France: Part 1 and Part 2 — thebikeshow
Schlecks ready to take on Contador in Tour de France — velonews
... more previews to come...

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Revisiting 2009; 2010 Yellow Jersey preview coming next...

June 29 update: While we prepare our 2010 Yellow Jersey preview and links to other previews, here is a look back at how the 2009 TDF unfolded courtesy of new video compilations from VERSUS:
  Part 1: Looking back (04:15)
  Part 2: The beginning (03:19)
  Part 3: The opening stages (03:26)
  Part 4: Stage 7 into the mountains (03:06)
  Part 5: St 15, Turning point for Alberto (04:49)
... more parts coming...
200 Big Photos from 2009 — sirotti

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100 years of the French Pyrénées: history on video

June 28 update: VERSUS has posted a nice 20+ min retrospective look at the French Pyrénées and their history with the Tour de France:
  Part 1 (03:16 english) — versus
  Part 2 (8:08 english) — versus
  Part 3 (06:05 english) — versus
  Part 4 (04:57 english) — versus

Stage previews for the prologue and the first four stages now posted

June 28 update: Similar to last year and other major races we cover, we'll be posting stage previews with interactive maps to give you the heads up on what to expect. See the 'preview' links in the race summary table (right). Currently, we've completed the written previews for the prologue and the first four stages. The Yellow Jersey preview is coming next. Also, see our general course preview from last fall. — Steve

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June 26 update:
Andy Schleck crashes in training — cyclingnews
Garmin-Transitions announces Tour de France squad — cyclingnews

June 25 update:
Contador will face early obstacles in Tour de France defense — AFP
  Alberto Contador y Andy Schleck se encuentran "estudiando" el Tourmalet: Contador runs into the Schlecks while training in the Pyrenees earlier this year (01:47 spanish) — rtve.es
  Contador: "La diferencia es que ahora tengo un equipo que me apoya (10:47 spanish) — rtve.es

Boonen and Haussler out of Tour with knee injuries

June 25 update: Recurring knee problems exacerbated by the infamous sprint finish crash at Tour de Suisse will keep Quick Step's Tom Boonen and Cervelo's Heinrich Haussler out of the Tour. — Steve

Boonen out of Tour de France — cyclingnews
Haussler's Knee Keeps Him Out Of Tour de France — cervelo

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2010 Interactive Maps and Google Earth file

June 21 update: Interactive stage maps with associated kml and gpx files for each stage and an overall kmz Google Earth file are now available. See the 'preview' links in the race summary table (right) for the interactive stage maps, kml and gpx files. Thanks to @ednl his efforts. Credit and feedback goes to him. — Steve

Team rosters taking shape

June 9-28 update: (recent articles at the top)
Caisse d'Epargne announces Tour line-up — cyclingnews
Astana names Tour de France team — cyclingnews
French squads name Tour de France teams — cyclingnews
Garmin-Transitions announces Tour de France squad — cyclingnews
Team Sky announce Tour de France line-up — cyclingnews
Footon-Servetto line-up features eight debutants — cyclingnews
Armstrong leads RadioShack in search of eighth Tour victory — cyclingnews
Sanchez leads Euskaltel into Tour de France — velonews
Denis Menchov, Robert Gesink, to lead Rabobank at Tour de France — velonews
Roberts lands final Milram spot for Tour de France — velonews
Sastre, Hushovd, Haussler Tour-bound for Cervélo — velonews
Sky Tour line-up takes shape — cyclingnews
Rabobank announces Tour de France roster — cyclingnews
Milram names first six riders for Tour line-up — cyclingnews

June 10 update:
Schleck previews Pyrenees ahead of Tour; Contador is beatable — cyclingnews
June 5 update:
  Top 10 Crashes in Tour de France History (03:29 english) — versus

Stage maps are now posted

June 2 update: All stage maps are now posted. See the 'map' links in the race summary tables (right). — Steve

May 15 update:
Versus (United States) Tour de France TV Schedule — versus

Stage profiles are now posted

May 13 update: All stage profiles are now posted. See the 'profile' links in the race summary tables (right). — Steve

Precise route timetables now posted

April 20 update: None of the stage maps are yet available, but the handy for spectator timetables for all stages have been released providing precise information on the entire route. See the 'timetable' links in the race summary tables (right) or see the official site. — Steve

2010 Teams Announced; Dutch Professional Continental teams are shut out

March 30 update: Here are the 22 teamss
Tour de France wildcard teams announced — cyclingweekly.co.uk
TdF organiser announces 22 teams for 2010 race — cyclingnews

March 18 update: Not much to report on at the moment. The teams should be announced any day. Usually, they are the same as those selected for Paris-Nice which just completed. The remaining profiles, along with all the stage maps should be released in May. — Steve
December 7 update:
The organizers will add to more two teams this coming year going from 20 to 22 — versus
November 14 update:
2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre says he'll be back next year — velonews
November 9 update: Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck have signalled each other as the favourite for the overall title — cyclingnews
November 4 update: Sánchez to target Tour podium in 2010 — cyclingnews

2010 Tour de France Route Analysis

A Climbers Delight: a celebration of the famous French Pyrénées cols

October 14 update: It’s a Tour for the climbers this year as the Tour de France celebrates the hundred year history of the race in the Pyrénées. The 2010 edition of the French grand tour finishes with four straight days in the iconic mountains that demarcate the border of France and Spain, and the riders will make two ascents of the Col du Tourmalet. The final mountain stage finishes on high at the summit of the Tourmalet. Only one long time trial of 51 kilometers interrupts the climbers’ rhythm and it comes the day before the traditional finishing stage in Paris. In all, the course includes twenty-three categorized climbs and three mountain-top finishes, the most climbing in a Tour de France since 2005.

Comparing 2010 to previous years...	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006
Flat Stages	9	10	10	11	9
Medium Mountain Stages	4	1	4	1	4
Mountain Stages	6	7	5	6	5
# of Categorized Climbs (Cat 2, 1 and HC)	23	20	19	21	22
Mountaintop Finishes	3	3	4	3	3
Individual Time Trialing	59k	55k	82k	117k	116k
Team Time Trial	0	39k	0	0	0
Overall Distance	3596k	3435k	3554k	3547k	3657k
• 2010 will have 13 km of cobbles • 2010 has no time bonuses again • See the race summary table (right) for the 6 mountain stage profiles. • July 18 is the Etape du Tour day using stage 17 Pau to Col du Tourmalet (as expected)

Cobbles and Croswinds

The Tour begins in the Netherlands, crosses into Belgium, then follows a clockwise trace around France. Rotterdam hosts the opening stage, a prologue of 8 kilometers. As the race passes through Belgium, it celebrates the Spring classics with a tribute stage to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which includes the Côte de Rosier, and stage between Wanze and Arenberg Porte du Hainut which includes 13 kilometers of pavé and finishes outside the trouée d’Arenberg of Paris-Roubaix fame. General classification riders, beware! In 2004, Iban Mayo said adieu to his Yellow Jersey hopes after a crash on a short sector of cobbles outside Erre. Prior to 2004, the pavé had not appeared in the Tour de France in more than 20 years.

Crossing into France, the Tour travels south over the course of three flat stages. The first stage entirely in France runs between Cambrai and Reims along the border with Belgium where crosswinds and wet weather could make this stage more difficult than the profile indicates. Two more stages for the sprinters follow, between Epernay and Montargis and between Montargis and Guegnon. The Tour is now halfway down the hexagon near the border with Switzerland and ready for the first round of mountain stages.

Alps Before Pyrénées

The Tour makes a brief foray into the Jura mountains which run along the French border with Switzerland. The Jura host a stage between Tournus and the ski resort village of Station des Rousses and provide the first mountain-top finish of the 2010 Tour. The climb to the Station des Rousses runs 14 kilometers and finishes at a relatively low 1140 meters in elevation. Though the Station des Rousses hosts the Tour for the first time, the Côte des Rousses commonly serves as a prelude to the col de Faucille, which has appeared in the Tour on more than 40 occasions since 1911.

Then, it’s into the Alps for three stages. The first Alpine stage runs between Station des Rousses and Morzine-Avoriaz. It ascends the Col de la Ramaz and finishes on high at the ski station at Avoriaz. During the 1970s, uphill time trials to Avoriaz were all the rage, and Lucien Van Impe twice celebrated victory at the ski station. Lucho Herrero won the first road stage to finish there in 1985. With only two major climbs, this first Alpine stage serves as a prelude to the more difficult day that follows it. Four categorized climbs enliven the stage between Morzine-Avoriaz and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne: Col de la Columbière, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies, and Col de la Madeleine. The Col de la Madeleine climbs a lengthy 25 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.5%. This stage is not a mountain-top finish, instead descending to the town of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, which hosts a stage finish for the first time in 2010. After the succession of difficulties in this stage, only a small group should survive to contest the victory in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. The final stage in the Alps runs over bumpy terrain between Chambèry and Gap, and includes two categorized climbs, the Côte de Laffrey and the Col du Noyer. It’s a descending finish to Gap over small and sinuous roads. Though the climbing is less severe, this stage offers an invitation to risk. Gap has hosted stage finishes on 19 occasions its winners including Gémiani, Nencini, Bernard, and Vinokourov.

Transition Stages

Exiting the Alps, the Tour begins its westward course toward the finale in the Pyrénées. Three stages serve as the transition between France’s two major mountain ranges. This Tour avoids the Meditérranean coast, which figured so prominently in the opening week of the 2009 edition, and doglegs northward passing through Bourg-lès-Valance, Bourg-de-Péage, and Mende. A relatively flat stage between Sisteron and Bourg-lès-Valence will please the sprinters, while the bumpy course between Bourg-de-Péage and Mende, which includes the Suc de Montivernoux climb, should bring a breakaway winner. The final transition stage runs south over flat roads from Rodez to Revel, and comes to rest in the shadow of the Pyrénées.

One Hundred Years in the Pyrénées

The Tour comes now to its finale with four stages in the Pyrénées. The Pyrénéen adventure begins innocently enough with a stage running between Revel and Ax-3 Domaines. This first stage includes two main cols, the Porte de Pailhères and the finishing climb to Ax-3 Domaines. Though the Tour celebrates the 100 year history of the Pyrénées in the race, these first two climbs only joined the la Grand Boucle since the turn of the 21st century. The finish arrives at the Plateau de Bonascre, which first appeared in the Tour de France in 2003. Carlos Sastre celebrated his first Tour stage win that day.

The second Pyrénéen stage mixes the old and the new with a course running between the new stage city of Pamiers and Bagnères-de-Luchon, which has hosted the Tour on 50 occasions. Two of the Originals from the 1910 Tour appear in the this stage: Col du Portet d’Aspet and Col des Ares. The Porte de Balès, first added to the Tour in 2007, rises to 1755 meters over 19.2 kilometers and provides the final climb of the day before the course drops precipitously to the finish in Bagnères-de-Luchon.

Picking up where it left off, the Tour departs Bagnères-de-Luchon for a four-climb romp to Pau. It’s another descending finish, and the final summit lies nearly 60 kilometers from Pau. That’s not to say that there is anything easy about this stage which connects the Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin, Col de Tourmalet, and Col d’Aubisque, by way of the Col du Soulor. The riders climb the Tourmalet from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan by way of La Mongie, a 17.1 kilometer ascent with an average gradient of 7.4%. The first rider to reach the summit of the Tourmalet receives a special prime, the Souvenir Jacques Goddet. This stage marks the first of two visits by the 2010 Tour to the iconic climb, whose unforgiving gradients forced the riders of the Tour’s 1910 edition to carry their derailleur-less bikes on their backs as they trudged the unpaved road on foot. A rest day in Pau follows this stage.

The climbing finale of the 2010 Tour de France finishes on the Col du Tourmalet. The stage begins in Pau and back-tracks. The Col de Marie-Blanque and the Col du Soulor provide the hors d’oeuvres for the final climb of this year’s Tour. The Col de Marie-Blanque climbs 9.5 kilometers at 7.5%, while the Col du Soulor, by way of Ferrières, climbs 22 kilometers at 4.9%. But this is all just prelude for the grand finale. This final mountain stage climbs the Col du Tourmalet by way of Luz-St. Sauveur and finishes at 2115 meters, the highest paved pass in the French Pyrenees. Though the Tour has passed over the Col du Tourmalet on 73 occasions, the climb has served as a stage finish only once previously in the history of the Tour. Jean-Pierre Danguillaume won the stage in 1974. At only 174 kilometers, this stage will all come down to the final climb. No doubt the race organizers hope that the battle for the Yellow Jersey will be decided high on the Tourmalet.

Wine Country Time Trial

Two stages, including the Tour’s only long time trial, follow the finish on the Tourmalet before the Tour reaches its traditional finish in Paris. The Tour turns northward and passes into the wine-growing regions of Aquitaine and the Gironde. A flat stage running between Sailes-de-Béarn and Bordeaux offers the sprinters a chance to stretch their legs before their big appointment on the Champs Elysées. Bordeux has hosted the Tour on 79 occasions. Only Paris has welcomed the Tour more often. The following day comes the only long time trial of this year’s Tour de France. The stage runs 51 kilometers between Bourdeaux and Pauillac. Pauillaac hosts the Tour for the first time this year. Wine provides the theme for this long time trial, and Pauillac is one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc. This time trial offers the final chance for the Yellow Jersey contenders to win the magic shirt.

Only the final stage in Paris is left, and the caravan rides France’s high-speed rail system to the northern city. The Tour follows tradition, and the final stage finishes with a circuit on the Champs Elysées, a tantalizing prize for the sprinters. With this year’s mountainous course, the final sprint victory will not come easily.

Contrary to the last few editions, this year’s Tour is climber-friendly and heavy on the mountains. There is no team time trial to advantage the stronger teams, but the early stages through the Ardennes and the cobbles and crosswinds of Northern France will privilege the contenders with strong team support and tactical smarts. Three mountain top finishes offer the chance to make up for early mistakes, and the climbers will be frothing at the succession of difficulties the Tour encounters as it marches from Alps to Pyrénées. A bad day on the long time trial could undo days of efforts in the mountains, so while the clock holds less influence over this year’s race, the serious contenders will not take it for granted. Fifty-one kilometers is a long day out. One thing is certain, this Tour is stacked in its third week, and the suspense should hold until the race reaches Paulliac. If the Tour slighted the Pyrénées in 2009, this edition pays fitting tribute to the race’s signature mountains who stand ready for a new generation to write its stories onto their slopes. — Gavia

  3D fly over of the 2010 route— lelour.fr
  The entire official route presentation from Paris — cyclingtv
Prudhomme presents 2010 Tour de France weighted with Pyrenean stages — cyclingnews
2010 Tour de France to climax in the Pyrenees — AP
Rider Reactions — velonews
  Slick move, Bert— eurosport
CW's analysis of the 2010 Tour de France route — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Prudhomme explains unforgiving route (02:22 no longer online) — eurosport
A little intrigue returns for 2010 Tour — sports.espn.go
TDF '10: The Parcours Announced! — pezcyclingnews
Armstrong/Contador rivalry simmering — bikeradar
Cadel Evans gets boost from 2010 Tour de France route — theaustralian
  Armstrong fears opening week (03:10 no longer online) — eurosport
  Schleck worried by Benelux stages (02:23 no longer online) — eurosport
  Contador: A tour for climbers (04:37 no longer online) — eurosport
... more to come...

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The Live presentation of the 2010 route

October 13 update: The presentation starts Wednesday at 11:30 AM CEST (5:30 AM ET) and it will be broadcast live on Cycling.tv and Versus at 11:30 CEST (5:30 AM ET). Eurosport (delayed?) coverage starts at 12:00 CEST with summaries and interviews at 17:30 CEST.
update: The france3.fr link below is now playing...

media source	tv or internet	comments/restrictions
	live video    live video (english, direct player)	the official site coverage starts at 11:30 CEST
	live video	Worldwide; English commentary; free. Start coverages at 11:30 CEST (5:30 AM ET)
	live video   tv schedule	Versus live online coverage starts at 5:30 AM ET
	delayed video (english)    delayed video (french)    delayed audio (english)   tv schedule	Europe; delayed? coverage starts at 12:00 CEST Audio languages: EN | FR | DE | ES | IT
	live video (french)   tv schedule	French; France 3 unrestricted coverage starts at 11:30 CEST
	steephill text updates  #tdf twitter group	short text updates from any and everyone
check back at race time for more and updated links; send a comment or a new live link

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The complete but unofficial 2010 route

October 6th update: Thanks to the hard work of individuals like Paddy Sweeney of Velo Peloton Vacances cyclisme and Thomas Vergouwen we now have a complete, but unofficial outline of all the 2010 stages. See the interactive map (left) and race summary table (right). Paddy is calling for the July 22nd, stage 18: Pau - Col du Tourmalet, to be the Etape du Tour stage.

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

The official route presentation is Wednesday, October 14th at the Palais des Congres in Paris. The presentation starts at 11 AM CEST (5 AM ET) and it will be broadcast live on Eurosport 12:30 CEST with summaries and interviews at 17:30 CEST. Versus and Cycling.tv will also have the presentation live. Check back for the links. — Steve

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Tourmalet still in twice but not as a ITT

October 6th update: New update from Paddy Sweeney of Velo Peloton Vacances cyclisme. "Given newspaper reports in the last week I have revised my prediction to this"

17 July: Stage 14, Rodez - Revel
18 July:  Stage 15, Revel - Ax-3 Domaines 
19 July:  Stage 16,  Pamiers - Luchon/Super Bagnéres (Portet d'Aspet, Col de Menté,
Port de Balès)
20 July: Rest Day
21 July: Stage 17 Luchon - Pau (Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Soulor & Aubisque)
22 July: Stage 18 Pau - Col du Tourmalet (Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Soulor, Bordéres, 
Tourmalet)
This will also be the Etape de Tour.
23 July: Stage 19 Salies de Béarn - Bordeaux
24 July: Stage 20 Bordeaux - Pauillac ITT
25 July: Stage 21 Rambouillet - Paris Champs Elysées

L’Hebdo is a local newsletter in Pau, here is my translation of a notice from last week. -- Paddy

“TOUR DE FRANCE – Le Béarn particulièrement gâté La Grande Boucle va fêter les cent ans des montées mythiques vers les cols pyrénéens, avec une présence en Béarn sur 4 jours. Du jamais vu ! Pau sera ville arrivée le mardi 20 juillet, avant une journée de repos sur place. Le 22, les coureurs s’élanceront pour un Pau-Tourmalet particulièrement alléchant. Le 23 juillet, Salies donnera le départ de l’étape en direction de Bordeaux. Le 24, ce sera un contre-la-montre dans le vignoble bordelais, en direction de Pauillac.”

“TOUR DE FRANCE - The Bearn region will be particularly spoiled. The Great Loop will celebrate the Centenary of the legendary Pyrenees climbs, with a presence in Bearn for 4 days. Unheard of! The tour will arrive in Pau on Tuesday, July 20, before a rest day on 21st. On the 22nd, riders line up for Pau-Tourmalet will be particularly attractive. On July 23,stage start in Salies and finish in Bordeaux. On 24, it will be against the clock from Bordeaux, through the vineyards of bordelais to Pauillac.”

Sources:
ladepeche.fr (Oct 7)
  ladepeche.fr (Oct 5)
ladepeche.fr (Oct 3)
sudouest.com
france3.fr

Rumour: Tourmalet from both sides on different stages including a ITT

September 22 update: New update from Paddy Sweeney of Velo Peloton Vacances cyclisme. "Hi Steve. I had heard a rumour 3 times in the last week, it seemed a bit far fetched to be honest but in the last few days I have heard it from a source at the top of pro cycling. But it is this, the tour will climb Col de Tourmalet from both sides. The east on the stage from Luchon to Col d’Aubisque but also a ITT from Luz to the summit. Sounds mad I know but It is a very good source."

Revised last week.

17 July: Rodez - Revel
18 July: Revel - Luchon
19 July: Rest Day
20 July: Bagnéres de Luchon - Col de Aubisque
21 July: Tourmalet ITT
22 July: Pau - Arette
23 July: Pau - Bordeaux
24 July: Bordeaux ITT
25 July: Paris

La Depeche reports Revel and Luchon are slated for Saturday July 17 and Sunday July 18

September 18 update:
Le Tour de France 2010 fera étape à Revel et Luchon (english-translation) — ladepeche.fr

Official 2010 route announcement is October 14th

September 16 update: The route presentation of the Tour de France 2010 will be officially announced on Wednesday, October 14th 2009. Until then, please feel free to pass along any concrete details or rumours. — Steve

Four Mountaintop finish in the Pyrenees for 2010?

September 15 update: Paddy Sweeney of Velo Peloton Vacances cyclisme has in sent some new 2010 Tour de France route scoop: "Stage finish on Col d’Aubisque on 21st July after crossing Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Soulor. Tour crossed same mountains on 21st July 1910. The week will look something like this."

revised see above...

"That's 4 mountain top finishes in the Pyrenees. Others still talking about Luz Ardiden and Col du Spandells and Argeles-Gazost. A lot of hotel bookings for 20, 21 , 22 in and around Pau. I would not be surprised if the stage to Col d’Aubisque is also the Etape de Tour." If you know more then let me know. — Steve
  Recon report of the proposed Col du Soulor and Col d'Aubisque finish — steephill.tv

August 25 update: According to this article in La Depeche and submitted to us by Paddy Sweeney of Velo Peloton Vacances cyclisme, the 2010 Tour de France will pass through Rodez:
Le Tour de France passera par Rodez en 2010 (english translation) — ladepeche.fr

July 27 update: Now that the 2009 Tour is over, it's time to look ahead to 2010. We are one of the sites, that will provide you with a first glance of the 2010 route which is tradionally announced at the end of October each year. We'll start posting the facts and rumours about the 2010 route as they are announced and gleaned. Feel free to pass along anything you might know. — Steve
Lance Armstrong a favorite for 2010 Tour de France — latimes

July 4 update: July 4-26th 2009 Tour de France

ITV4 will broadcast the 2010 Tour de France live

January 8 update: ITV Sport announced yesterday a new deal brokered with Tour de France organisers ASO, granting ITV the rights to broadcast live coverage of the race between 2010 and 2013.
ITV4 to Broadcast Live Tour De France Coverage — cyclingweekly.co.uk

Official unveiling of the Rotterdam prologue details

December 11 update: As officially unveiled today, the 2010 Tour de France will start with a 9k prologue on July 3rd 2010 through the streets on the south side of Rotterdam. Incorporating the Erasmus Bridge (seen above), the course (see map right) will be flat and likely "wind swept". The next day, stage 1 will head south, crossing the Netherlands-Belgium border 20k from Antwerp. The stage one finishing city is not known. That's all we'll know officially until next October but feel free to chime in with some inside scoop if you have it. — Steve.

Official Unveiling of Rotterdam Grand Depart — letour.fr
View in Google Earth
View in Google Maps

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Rotterdam start information with more route details as they unfold

December 9 update: On Thursday, December 11th, a press conference will take place from the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam to officially announce the details of the 2010 Tour de France Grand Départ. Traditionally, the host area of the first few stages is announced well in advance of the rest of the route and on November 20th the press was informed of the choice for the 2010 Tour de France Grand Départ:

The 97th Tour de France will start from Rotterdam in Netherlands on July 3rd, 2010. Never in the past has the organisation been confronted with such a dilemma: To have to choose between two cities - Rotterdam and Utrecht - whose applications were both of a very high level. Each of them had the trumps to welcome a wonderful Grand Depart. Therefore we sincerely hope that Utrecht will once again apply as a candidate for a future Tour.

The decision was made in favour of Rotterdam for two main reasons: Firstly, because in the wake of the Grand Depart from London, Rotterdam embodies a kind of continuity by using the image of the Tour de France in a metropolis to promote cycling as an important means of transport in the heart of the city. Secondly, because its geographical situation adheres perfectly to the route we have imagined for the 2010 Tour. — letour.fr

Rotterdam in 2010 will be the fifth time the Tour de France has started from a Dutch city. The Tour has previously started from the Netherlands on four occasions with Amsterdam, in 1954, being first non-French starting point. Other Dutch cities that have hosted the Grand Depart include Scheveningen (1973), Leiden (1978) and Hertogenbosch (1996). Stay tuned for information from Thursday's official announcement. — Steve.

About Rotterdam — en.wikipedia.org