2012 Tour de France

[population100]

Dont forget the Schlecks had to get Fabian to drag them around the course in the prologue TTT - they wont have his help this year

ITT for 2012:
prologue - 6.1 km
Stage 9 - 38km
Stage 19 - 52km

That's a lot of ITT. Based on 2011 it would be reasonable to expect Cadel / Wiggins to put 4-5 minutes into the Schlecks on those three stages. The Schlecks admitted as much in their interview in Cycle Sport.

[briztoon]

Is it to early to start discussing and guessing the team make up for GreenEdge at this years leTour.

I've been trying to figure out what sort of leadout they will put together for Gossy.

Yeah that's one thing I've been trying to work out. I figure we take out the young kids looking at the Olympics, so who make up the lead out train, and who will be the stage hunters, at least Gerrans and maybe Weening.

[AUbicycles]

Lotto look like they will be putting in some good lead-outs this year, time could be right for Greipel to knock Cav out in direct competition.

[JV911]

Does anyone know where to get detailed stage maps? Need to plan my Tour

[roller]

Does anyone know where to get detailed stage maps? Need to plan my Tour

From what i've seen on the tour site, the info will be released early June.

If you do happen to find something, can you post your findings in here, I have some planning to do as well

[toolonglegs]

The big mountain stages can be worked out pretty easily by looking at the cols and going from there...there isn't many routes through the alpes and less down south.

[population100]

From what i've seen on the tour site, the info will be released early June

Last time I looked (2 weeks ago) detailed info was available for some stages. These were just the flat stages, although as toolonglegs points out you should be able to figure the mountain stages out.

[toolonglegs]

101.5 km's of individual TT... got to be the year the big TT's change their focus surely. Whats the bet Fabby and Martin get really really light this year .

[norbs]

101.5 km's of individual TT... got to be the year the big TT's change their focus surely. Whats the bet Fabby and Martin get really really light this year .

I wonder how Frandy feels.

[briztoon]

Well after listening to the commentators during Fabian Cancellaras' win at Strade Bianche, they reckon this is the slimmest they've seen him for a few years.

[population100]

Andy Schleck looses 1 minute to Wiggins (in the rain) over 9km. I wonder why

https://twitter.com/#!/Greghenderson1/s ... to/1/large

[MichaelB]

Well after listening to the commentators during Fabian Cancellaras' win at Strade Bianche, they reckon this is the slimmest they've seen him for a few years.

As another pointer, Fabs came in 9th on the Stage to Green Mountain in Oman (1:01 down on Nibali), and Andy came in 34th, 4:22 behind Nibali ....

Maybe Fabs is trying to climb better and challenge Wiggo a bit .....

[Chuck]

I guess we can all read different things into an article, but I don't think that yellow in Paris is Fab's highest priority this year....

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cancell ... -de-france

He's gunning for Martin

[BrisVegas]

he's not lacking in confidence is he!

[briztoon]

My tip, if you're a betting man, get some money on Wiggo while he's at $5 on TAB. They've got Evans at around $2.40 and Andy around $4.

[toolonglegs]

Just looking at the TDF stages and stage 10 is down to go through town ... must have been a change of route?.

[toolonglegs]

So who's coming?.
I will be at the start and finish and everyday in between but except for maybe 2 days in the middle... which is perfect as I will be at home when the tour goes past my door .

[Chuck]

So who's coming?.
I will be at the start and finish and everyday in between but except for maybe 2 days in the middle... which is perfect as I will be at home when the tour goes past my door .

Team FPR can all stay at your house

[toolonglegs]

Last year we had the big house ... This year not ... But beers are on me!.

[Chuck]

Wiggins is not afraid to speak his mind....

“It would be nice to be part of it in a positive way, because there aren’t a lot of Tour winners who you can believe in,” Wiggins told L’Équipe. “For the first time last year, you had a Tour winner who everyone could believe in [Evans – ed]. He is a fantastic ambassador for the sport, he works hard, he didn’t win by showing off, but with great determination. So to be able to follow on from somebody like him would be nice, rather than doing it after somebody had a positive test hanging over his head for a year or two.”

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins ... nce-winner

I agree with him, Cadel is a credible winner and so would he be. Now for the hard part Brad

[l45er]

Heading to France for 2 weeks in July and planning to catch 3 days of the Tour when it is in the French Alps (11-13th July).

Planning to base ourselves out of Lyon and hire a car to drive to the 3 stages (Stages 10, 11 and 12). For those that have been before, is this the way to do it or are there better ways to get out to the stages? Are traffic and road closures an issue? Where is best to watch - the finish or an intermediate climb somewhere along the course?

Any tips appreciated!

[toolonglegs]

Stage 10... Grand colombier upper slopes for sure!... Not much parking up there though. On a clear day the views from the eastern slopes are amazing.
Stage 11 I would be on the final climb as it is a summit finish.
Stage 12... Take your pick... Start, finish, somewhere in between .
You will need a hire car... There is zero public transport to these places.
Roads on finishing climbs or main climbs can close off early morning to traffic ... But at best about 2 hours before the publicity caravan comes through will be you last chance to drive on the tour route.
Enjoy.

[l45er]

Stage 10... Grand colombier upper slopes for sure!... Not much parking up there though. On a clear day the views from the eastern slopes are amazing.
Stage 11 I would be on the final climb as it is a summit finish.
Stage 12... Take your pick... Start, finish, somewhere in between .
You will need a hire car... There is zero public transport to these places.
Roads on finishing climbs or main climbs can close off early morning to traffic ... But at best about 2 hours before the publicity caravan comes through will be you last chance to drive on the tour route.
Enjoy.

Thanks for the tips toolonglegs. Was definitely heading for Grand Colombier for Stage 10. Guess you just drive as far as you can and then walk up towards the summit?

Thinking it will be best to head to the stages in the morning, pack a picnic for lunch and some snacks to get us through the until they ride past.

[AUbicycles]

TLL, take your camera, I always love your shots.

A birdy mentioned that I should keep an eye on Wiggens this year.

[toolonglegs]

Not sure how many pics I will be getting this year... Will have a small camera with me for sure.
Only have to stay upright in the next 400kms of racing then I am in cruise mode .