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The World's a Stage-- the Tour de France 2007
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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 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. |
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