Sunday July 14, 8:00 PM, Stage 15: Givors to Mont Ventoux
Bastille Day in France means only one thing on Le Tour: a French attack, although home winners are rare - the last was David Moncoutie, who won a breakaway on a hilly stage in 2005. This year, it's a gruelling stage, the longest of this year's race, and ends atop one of the most feared and respected climbs, Mont Ventoux. The Provence mountain was first tackled in 1951 and this will be the 15th ascent of the 21km climb which is hosting a stage finish for the ninth time. Expect those chasing the overall race win to be watching each other very closely.
Thursday July 18, Stage 18: Gap to Alpe d'Huez
The day that many cycling fans are waiting for. For the first time in Tour history, the Alpe d'Huez will be tackled twice on the same day, in the final 50km, with the stage finishing at the summit. Will the general classification riders spend the first ascent eyeing each other up before attacking on the second climb? Will an opportunistic climber make a break? It promises to be an intriguing day.
Ride happy!
--mark ou.
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Tom Walker Memorial Half Marathon:
http://www.floridatrackclub.org/news-and-notes/register-now-2012-tom-walker-memorial-half-marathon/
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
"I have need to be all on fire, for I have mountains of ice about me to melt."
-- William Lloyd Garrison
"The marathon is an art; the marathoner is an artist."
-- Kiyoshi Nakamura