Le Tour 2009 - Its here!

What; world economic collapse? Stocks down the drain? College & retirement funds worth half? Well, no fear, the 2009 Tour route has been announced and is the perfect reason to NOT watch the news! Official Website of Le Tour

Many of you who subscribe to this feed are looking for tours to follow this race, "The French Grand Tour". We are working on them! We had a few surprises with the announcement today, but had it mostly correct. Here are some teasers about what we will announce:

4 Open Tours for Booking:

Group 1: start in Nice/Monte Carlo to watch the Opening, then move on to Provence and base ourselves on the beach near Montpellier and watch the various stages and enjoy life in the southern Provencal coast with some rides and race ambiance! This trip will be a combination of moderate and challenging rides - so good for some people who aren't as strong as their spouses!

Group 2: Spain Bebe! Meet in Barcelona, start on the coast and take in the early stages of Barcelona and Girona. We'll ride into the Pyrenees and up to the Vallter - about 2000 meters in elevation. Return to Girona. Challenging cycling!

Group 3: Alpes + Ventoux - get started with Alpe d'Huez and the Galibier before we move on to Annecy area for the stages in Grand Bornand and Annecy. Then we'll get south for the famous Mont Ventoux and the extraordinary "final race day" of the tour.

Group 4: Like Group 3 above, except with the French Pyrenees and then Mont Ventoux.

Details are coming...

But, what about this 2009 route that was released today??!! I think its GREAT ! Why? First, I love the fact that the first week isn't in the rainy and cold north. The French Riviera, Provence and then Spain - perfecto! What is shocking is the very little coverage for the French Pyrenees and the traditional routes of the Alpes. I don't know when Pau was left off a TDF! The next few days after the Pyrenees could be a little less interesting as the route moves north, but it will get fun again as it turns south. There is no Alpe d'Huez this year, no Galibier, and some of the other 'usual suspects' of the Oisans area. That too is schocking, but there is the Tourmalet! Then, the agent of change Mr Prudhomme, has put in the grand daddy Mont Ventoux as the final stage before TGV back to Paris and the ceremonial final stage. WOW!

I like the fact that the team time trial is back, and also a prologue TT that is a bit more than ceremonial at 15 km. The Tour will really be decided on July 23 and July 25: Annecy time trial and then Mont Ventoux. Can a time trialist put in enough time at Annecy to hold off a climber? Or can a climber put in a good enough TT to be in position for the Ventoux?? I have no idea who this favors, but I would think Contador is a favorite given his performances this year and last.

Finally, lets hope Team Astana is not overlooked. ASO can deliver a very dramatic and FUN 2009 tour if they invite Astana. If they don't, well, sorry to the rest of the peloton, but it just wouldn't be that serious and the victor could hardly be considered the best of the best.

L