Le Tour 2016

GetWithIt

Route announced.

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2016/us/

9 flat stages
1 hilly stage
9 mountain stages including 4 summit finishes (Andorre Arcalis, Mont Ventoux, Finhaut-Emosson et Saint-Gervaix Mont Blanc)
2 individual time trial stages
2 rest days

mcgratheoin

relatively hilly time trials as well

D9Male

I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to race routes, love reading the rumours.

Although I am a bit disappointed that there are very few ITT kilometres (and few of them flat), I love the route.

Stage 5 is a nice medium mountain stage, to separate the wheat from the chaff early. I love how they are now focussing on descent finishes, rather than mountain top finishes. And I particularly love how they are not re-using the Alpine passes we see every year like Madeleine, Galibier, Alpe d'Huez etc.

Stage 15 is a thing of beauty. There should be carnage on that stage.

Darkglasses

Was really hoping for cobbles again. All about the South next year.

GetWithIt

Reminds me of those routes from the 90's. None of this jumping onto the TGV to go from from Normandy to Bordeaux. Get on your bike and cycle.

D9Male

I thought the cobbles were boring this year, and two in a row was enough for me.

Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

mcgratheoin

Bonifications are back!

10, 6 and 4 seconds

topcat77

Nice podcast on Cycling news

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/five-conclusions-from-the-2016-tour-de-france-route/

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the podcast.

MPFGLB

If the top riders come to the Tour in top shape I guess its a 3 horse race
Froome, Quintana & Contador(in his last Tour)

But that is usually a big if
Not a bad course and suits an all rounder as Froome has said

Not going to make a big deal about Nico riding the Tour next year..SKY have a super stable of riders to pick from.
I think he was a top road captain this year but was knackered out riding for Froome all year....might not be the end of the world if he missed the Tour and was in top form for Olympics & Vuelta. But SKY probably will ride him. But let the cards fall where they may. ( I have taken up Yoga :-) )

A few stages early on suit Dan Martin and hopefully he rides and has the support he needs at EQS. Really looking forward to seeing him in this top set up

But also looks a far better course for Sam Bennett. Much more sprints that he can go for and I am sure he will be even stronger in the sprints next year and the GT as a whole.

So roll on 2016. Not missing the pro races yet but will be by Christmas

kerry4sam

Can anyone tell me more about the Stage#9 on the 10th July Please. It has a Summit Finish on Andorre Arcalis & I'll be in that area on that date.

One to personally put work into myself for , to climb up, even partial to an Irish Contingent/Area, like Mont Ventoux? I'm thinking yes, just for experience and memories, but would like to hear from someone who has climbed this, or even climbed partial?!

Many Thanks,
kerry4sam