Tour de France Preview Stage 1

Tomorrow is the start of 2011 of the Tour de France. Aside from Groundhog Day, Cyclocross season, and the northern classics, it's just about my favorite time of year. Starting Saturday July 2nd and concluding in Paris on July 24th, the 98th Edition of my favorite race has some interesting elements in what I hope is more than a duel between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck. The race this year:

•  Features 21 stages (Daily races that can produce a different winner each day)
• Total distance covered of 3430 kilometers (about 2130 miles) in the span of the three weeks (two rest days are included).
• The return of the beautiful Team Time Trial. 
• The historic le Galibier will be climbed twice, included as the highest finish of a Tour stage as well as a midstage quad buster.
• Twenty-three level 2, 1, or hor de catagorie (beyond classification) climbs and summit finishes
• No time bonuses (good!) will be handed out for intermediate sprints and stage finishes.

This year the Tour also welcomes American George Hincapie for a record tying 16th attempt, arriving in Paris for 14 editions of the race. George was only member to be in all seven of Lance Armstrong's victories. Known for his epic rides in the Northern Classics of the spring, George is a a fantastic lieutenant and will help support Cadel Evans in his victory attempt for the BMC team this year.

 
July 1st Stage 1.

I'm a little disappointed that the Passage du Gois that will mark the start of the Tour will be ceremonial. When the Tour route was announced I immediately anticipated a treacherous and dramatic stage. The road connect two pieces of land and is only accessible during the low tide. Alas, the societe' that runs the Tour, eliminated any possibility that the unique road would offer any fireworks during the American Independence Day holiday weekend. The passage will be neutralized (no racing) and traversed as a ceremonial start.

In 1999 though, the Passage du Gois was arguably the decisive stage (stage 2) of that year's Tour. The stage was timed so that the peloton would cross over after the road is revealed as the water recedes. However, the riders were anxious about the crossing and the speed was high and racing was tight. One of the inevitable first week crashes happened on the wet surface, splintering the peloton and causing many of the top contenders to hit the deck or be caught behind the mass of downed riders. One of those riders was Swiss star, Alex Zulle, who was enjoying his best run-up to the Tour where he had been considered a favorite for that year. The Motorola team, headed by yellow jersey wearer Lance Armstrong (from the Prologue just a day earlier), recognized the split and put the 'hammer down' and went full on gas to separate themselves from the fallen. Lance, the eventual race winner (his first), finished about six minutes ahead of the trailing peloton. As it turns out that was more than enough to secure the overall win in Paris three weeks later, even though there was a lot more racing to be had.

Expect the little bump at the end of this pancake flat stage to benefit riders like Philippe Gilbert or Thor Hushold to win the stage and the first wearer of this years Maillot Jaune. Adieu.

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