Tour De France 2007

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Kicking off in London on 7 July 2007, this years Tour de France is set to be an exciting one. Lasting 22 days and covering over 3500 kilometres the event is gruelling for the participants and thrilling for the spectators. The Tour de France is made up of 20 stages including 11 flat stages, 6 mountain stages, 1 medium mountain stage and 2 individual time trials.

The prologue involves the riders cycling around the heart of the capital city of London. The will through Westminster, Victoria, Hyde Park, past Buckingham Palace an diminishing at the top of the Mall. It will be a site for those spectators who make the trip to see the cyclists. The Mayor of London brought the Grand Depart to London to increase cycling in the capital and to encourage fitness before the Olympics in 2012! The first stage following the prologue is the first individual time trial of 203km. It sets off from London for the first time and as the riders past the Greenwich Meridian, the timers are set and they make their way through the Kent countryside, ending up in Canterbury. The green jersey is won by the winner of this trial.

The second stage of the Tour begins in Dunkirk (Dunkerque) and is 168.5km. The race gets serious here and the cyclists have to endure possible high wind and avoid kerbs on the winding roads. The stage ends in the town of Gand (Gent).

Stage 3 is slightly hilly as the riders make their way from Waregem in Belgium to Compiegne, a distance of 236.5km. The spectators can look forward to a sprint finish here as the riders travel through this beautiful region of France.

The next stage takes the riders from Villers-Cotterets to Joigny. Over 193km the riders will travel relatively flat land and there should be another exciting sprint finish here.

Hills and winding roads are the chore of stage 5. Travelling from Chablis to Autun, the riders will race inclines and rises which will suit the seasoned competitors of the race. This is where the fighters in the race may break away from the rest of the group and set a new faster pace.

199.5km cover a mistier of hilly and flat terrain from Semur-en-Auxois to Bourg-en-Bresse. This is the last stage where the sprinters in the race will really be noticed before the serious mountains begin.

High mountains are the order of the day in this stage. 165km from Le Grand-Bornand to Tignes is a relatively short but harsh ride. The first 75km involve a smaller hill before the last leg where the riders meet the Cormet de Roseland (19km at 6%) and then the steep climb to Tignes which is 18km at 5.5%. The finish at this stage is gruelling and the best will be out in front here and will probably remain for the rest of the Tour.

The next stage is the last mountain stage before back to flat ground. The mountains are higher in the 159.5 km race from Val-d'Isere to Briancon. Up to 7% incline covering 17.5km will take it out of the riders and many will be in trouble here.

Back to the flat terrain and nearly 230km of ground to cover from Tallard to Marseille. The riders will really be pushing hard here to come out in front.

Stunning scenery and strong sea winds will make this stage from Marseilles to Montpellier will make this stage fantastic viewing. This is a great opportunity for those who have struggled over the mountains to make their presence felt to the leaders.

The day before the great tie trial will not be a day where the leaders will be allowing anyone to get ahead. The route from Montpellier to Castres is 178.5km and covers flat ground which will make it open to attacks from behind.

The time trial of 54km from Albi to Albi is stage 13 of the tour and will suit those riders who prefer to go it alone. Hills make up the first part of this trial and then onto flatter ground. Riders will have to be strong technically here is they want to make their mark.

Following the time trials the riders are back up the mountains in the 197km that is stage 14. From Mazamet to Plateau-de-Beille the riders will face a 7.0% incline towards the Palteau. The end of this ride is very tough and the strongest will be up front.

With 5 referenced mountain passes to cover, stage 15 is one of the most important in the Tour. 196km from Foix de Loudenvielle-Le Louron. The mountain specialists will dominate this leg in the hope of taking the polka dot jersey and the points that go along with it.

Another mountain stage in stage 16, 218.5km from Gourette to Col d'Aubisque. Arguably one of the most beautiful stages, the four enormous climbs the riders have to tackle and through the most beautiful French countryside. Tough fighters will be pushing hard to get the points that could change the outcome of the Tour.

The 4th last stage from pau to Castelsarrasin is back to flat ground with a few smaller hills. This is a great stage for those riders wishing to attack from behind.

211km of stage 18 is flat ground and covers Cahors to Angouleme. This longer stage means the riders will have to be careful how they approach it. The terrain offers great opportunities for the lead to be stolen - a tense stage where anything can happen.

From Cognac to Angouleme the riders cover the short distance of 55.5km in another individual time trial. The road is flat and there are long stretches, great for getting up good speeds.

The final stage of this mammoth race ends in Paris at the Champs-Elysees where the riders finish with 8 circuits around the Champs-Elysees. Not only will the winner be decided, but all the riders get their chance to bask in the cheers from spectators for managing to complete one of the toughest sporting challenges ever.