October 24/12 12:11 pm - 100th Anniversary Tour Route Unveiled

Posted by Editoress on 10/24/12
 

The Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), organizers of the Tour de France, unveiled today the route for the 2013 Tour, the 100th edition of the world's most famous bike race. The 3360 kilometre, 21 stage race will take place entirely within France, after forays in recent years to other countries for opening stages. It will begin on the island of Corsica for the opening three stages, on June 29th.

The 2013 route runs roughly clockwise around France (more of a zig-zag, in reality) offers stages for both climbers and time trialists. However, the later will not be as happy with the shorter individual races, at only 33 kilometres (stage 11) and 32 kilometres (stage 17). There is also a Team Time Trial (stage 4) at 25 kilometres.

The climbers should be happy, with six pure mountain stages, including four mountain top finishes. The first mountains will be the Pyrenees, followed by the Alps. The race will include both Mont Ventoux (stage 15) and Alpe d'Huez (stage 18). Alpe d'Huez, as previously rumoured, will feature two ascents in a single stage. After Alpe d'Huez there are two more climbing stages before the final procession into Paris. The last stage will finish at night, for the first time.

In an interesting footnote, the media guide listing of all winners, going back to 1903, has asterisks (*) for the Armstrong years (1999-205). However, Bjarne Riis is still listed as the winner for 1996, despite having to confessed to doping at the time and returning his jersey.

2013 Tour de France Route