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The 2007 Tour de France begins in London, England and ends in Paris, France. It challenges those who chase the yellow jersey, covering all kinds of terrain.
The 94th Tour de France consists of 20 stages covering a total distance of 3,547 kilometers. The race features 12 flat stages (some with rolling hills), 6 mountain stages, 2 individual time-trials, and 2 rest days. The peloton is made up of 22 teams of 9 riders.
The 2007 Tour de France begins with the Prologue in London, England on Saturday, July 7th and that only lasts for 8 kilometers. Next, on July 9, the first stage begins in Canterbury and goes for 203 kilometers. Then, it is as follows:
Stage 2: Monday, July 9th, Dunkirk, France, 167 km to Ghent, Belgium
Stage 3: Tuesday, July 10th, Waregem, 236 km to Compiègne, France
Stage 4: Wednesday, July 11th Villers-Cotterêts, 190 km to Joigny
Stage 5: Thursday, July 12th Chablis, 184 km to Autun
Stage 6: Friday, July 13th Semur-en-Auxois, 200 km to Bourg-en-Bresse
Stage 7: Saturday, July 14th Bourg-en-Bresse, 197 km to Le-Grand-Bornand
Stage 8: Sunday, July 15th Le-Grand-Bornand, 165 km to Tignes
Rest: Monday, July 16th in Tignes
Stage 9: Tuesday, July 17th Le-Grand-Bornand, 161 km to Briançon
Stage 10: Wednesday, July 18th Tallard, 229 km to Marseille
Stage 11: Thursday, July 19th Marseille, 180 km to Montpellier
Stage 12: Friday, July 20th Montpellier, 179 km to Castres
Stage 13: Saturday, July 21st Albi, 54 km to Albi
Time Trial: Sunday, July 22nd Mazamet, 197 km to Plateau-de-Beille
Stage 15: Monday, July 23rd Foix, 196 km to Loudenvielle
Rest: Tuesday, July 24th in Pau
Stage 16: Wednesday, July 25th Orthez, 218 km to Gourette (Aubisque)
Stage 17: Thursday, July 26th, Pau, 188 km to Castelsarrasin
Stage 18: Friday, July 27th, Cahors, 210 km to Angoulême
Stage 19: Saturday, July 28th Angoulême, 55 km to Cognac
Stage 20 (Time Trial) Sunday, July 29th Marcoussis, 130 km to Paris Champs-Élysées
Total Distance: 3547 km
The 20 stages have the following profiles:
* 11 flat stages,
* 1 medium mountain stages,
* 6 mountain stages,
* 2 individual time-trial stages,
Key points to this year's event
* 3 mountain finishes,
* 2 rest days,
* 117 kilometers of individual time-trials (including the prologue). No team time-trial.
* 21 category 1, category 2 and hors catégorie climbs
In Pursuit of the Yellow Jersey
Riders in the Tour de France follow the yellow jersey and the battle for this much-coveted prize always comes down to who wins the time trials and who will be “The King of the Mountain.” There will be three Alps mountain stages and three in the Pyrenees this year. These are tough climbs, places where the weakest riders are weeded out.
Stages
What follows are descriptions of some of the stages.
London
London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom. The city originated around a bridge built by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. It is one of the world’s leading business, financial and cultural centers. London is also an international transport hub, with five international airports and a large port. Heathrow Airport carries more international passengers than anywhere else in the worl
www.tourdefrancelondon.com
Canterbury
Canterbury is a city in east Kent in South East England and is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of All England, head of the Church of England and of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The city is home to a cathedral built during the middle ages, known for the many pilgrimages originating from it
www.tourdefrancelondon.com
Dunkirk, France
Dunkirk is in the northern-most area of France. Its name is derived from the Dutch "duin" (dune) and "kerke" (church). Even today, you can hear the local Dutch dialect (West Flemish).
Waregem, Belgium
Waregem is a located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. It’s a town well known for the annual horse races held at the hippodrome. Waregem is well known for its annual horse races at the local hippodrome, the Gaverbeek. Famous races include the Grand Steeple Chase. This town is also known as the hometown of former soccer team K.S.V. Waregem and present team S.V. Zulte-Waregem. The World War I Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial is located on the southeast edge of town.
www.waregem.be
Villers-Cotterets
This town is in the heart of the Retz forest. It may be best known as the birthplace of Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers.
www.mairie-villerscotterets.fr
Chablis
Since the Middle Ages, Chablis has been known for its vineyards and its excellent white wines.
www.chablis.net
Semur-en-Auxois
This fortified town was one of Burgundy’s important strongholds of the 16th century. Every 31 May, it organizes France’s oldest horserace, created in 1639.
www.ville-semur-en-auxois.fr
Tignes
This little village has become a world famous resort known for its ski area-- the Espace Killy, Tignes. It is known as a sport resort area. In addition to the benefits of the altitude, athletes enjoy Tignes’ natural stunning environment, especially with the famous Grande Motte glacier.
www.tignes.net
Tallard
Tallard is an old fortified town on the river Durance. It is in the heart of a fruit and wine region. The Gap-Tallard airfield is a unique centre for all sports and airborne leisure activities.
www.ville-tallard.fr
Mazamet
Today, the town has diversified its activities and branched out towards food processing, textiles and woodworking. Elegant private mansions and attractive parks can be discovered by strolling around the town.
www.ville-mazamet.com | 