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Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

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Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by emmea90 »

Contest #3 - Tour de France

Time for the annual Tour de France contest.

You have to re-draw and improve 2019 Tour de France

Constraints
- Gran Depart should be kept the same way (Stage 1 and 2 starts and finishing in Bruxelles, in same points. You can switch finish of stage 1 and 2 or also starts, but a finish point should remain a finish point and a start point should remain a start point)
- Of course you have to end TDF in Champs-Elysees. This means that stage 20 must end near the start of Stage 21 or (hopefully) near a city that has TGV
- You cannot repeat key parts of Tour de France 2018 real stages
- You have to put a stage start or a stage finish in at least 7 different france regions
- You can freely choose what to do before Alps or Pyrenees
- 2019 Tour is dedicated to Merckx, so you have to reference him in at least three stages after Bruxelles. The reference could be whatever you want... same final of a famous stage that wins, passage on birthplace or his house and on
- You can do at least another stage in Belgium and you cannot go out of France after the Belgium Stages
- You must have from 5 to 7 stages for pure sprinters, Paris included - and no more than 2 of them consequently
- There should be at least 2 high mountain stages that does NOT end in a MTF

Deadline will be 26/6/2019, h 23.59

Tour must be done using Tour de France - 2019 profiles, with Large X-Size and slopes on to have an easy comparison between different routes.

Everyone who will present the route also posting in the topic profiles and descriptions in this topic will start the voting phase with 3 points bonus

Good luck to all
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by emmea90 »

IamCeeKae wrote: 08/06/2019, 16:35 Am I allowed to make a time-trial out of the last stage (Paris, Champs-Elysées)?
Yes
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Carlo33 »

Can I make a Finish in Monaco?
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by YellowJersey »

My route is here: maps/tours/view/11875

The Grand Depart takes part in Brussels, the opening stage goes through it's historic center, and coming out of Bruxels it goes through the small towns of Meise, where Merckx built the factory in which Eddy Merckx Bycicles began, those that are currently used by the AG2R team, and also by Zellik, where later he moved the company, that to this day hosts the headquarters of the iconic bike brand.

Starting in Brussels, the race heads south via Normandie and Loire and will ride along the massif central for two hilly stages before a team time-trial. After that the race will come down to the Pyrinees for two stages in the high mountains, will have a transition through the mediteraneen with two flat stages before a hard day in the Nice region, and after another flat stage comes the Alps, two stages purely in the main Alpine center and the queen stage in the Jura mountains. A time-trial will follow in Besançon before the final mountain stage in the Vosges. It's a climbers Tour, despite some long ITT kilometers there are big mountain stages where the climbers can really play into their advantage.

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Stage 1, the Grand Depart in Brussels, land of Eddy Merckx. The start of the stage takes place in the Brussels' historic center, and goes through Meise, the town where he created Eddy Merckx Cycles, and also Zellik where later the company was moved, and to this day has it's headquarters, the bike brand currently is one of the big names in cycling manufacturing and supplies bikes for example for the AG2R team.

The stage won't go far from Brussels, there will be passings through the Flandrien cities of Zottegem and Ninove that are well renoun in Flemish racing, and will then have a loop around the urban Brussels area.
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Stage 2 is an individual time-trial, it's a 27Km long challenge,completely flat and with a few technical areas but one that perfectly suits the powerhouses, and will be the first stage where gaps will be seen, also with a switch of leader.
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The third and longest stage of the race sees it come to France, the start is in Arras, a city close to Lille, and the route takes the riders through the Hauts de France and finishes in Normandie, with the first hilltop finish in Le Havre, with the Côte d'Ingouvilles (900m, 6.5%) summiting with 900 meters to go (the profile is innacurate, it is far steeper than indicated).
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With the start in the Mèmorial de Caen, a WWII memorial, the race keeps heading south, through to Loire, more specifically Sarthe, as the race heads towards Le Mans and after going through the urban area the riders will enter the infamous racing circuit where it will finish.
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Stage 5 comes as another challenge for the sprinters, with the flatlands of Centre-Val de Loire and Limousin on the menu. The final part of the stage is quite rolling but it shouldn't disturb the sprinters who will have their saying in Limoges.
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Stage 6 takes the riders for a 2-day run in the Massif Central. After some gaps show in the time-trial in Brussels, in Saint-Flour the GC riders will be looking to keep their overall ambitions safe, in a tricky stage with 3000m of climbing and very sketchy roads, well suited for a breakaway.
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Stage 7 keeps the run through the Massif Central, after what's been a hilly day the stage from Mende and Rodez, with some long gruelling climbs in the twisty roads, there will be a downhill run-up to Rodez where a slight uphill will bring to a close the first run in the French climbs.
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Stage 8 is the race's sole team time-trial, in such an advanced point of the race, it's possible that some teams will be down some riders and have bigger differences. This stage brings another Eddy Merckx reference, it's where in 1971, he was in contention to win his 3rd Tour but had a rough start to the second week. It was here in Albi where he won a time-trial, and in the next day he got the Yellow Jersey back from Luis Ocaña who abandoned, and kept it all the way to Paris.
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Stage 9 gives the sprinters another chance before the race enters the mountains, the transition between Pau and Toulouse unites the race with the Pyrenees where the real race will begin.
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Stage 10 is he first big mountain stage of the Tour and it's a very complicated one. Despite a relatively short distance, there's almost 4300 meters of climbing on this day, with the Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde leading up to the first summit finish of the race too, in the 16.7Km climb to Superbagnères, where the first serious gaps will be made, and there's no room to enter this part of the race with low form, specially with the day that follows in the Pyrinees.
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Stage 11 is a marathon through the Pyrenees. With only two days in the most classical French mountain range, this stage has a shark-tooth profile, and goes through some climbs that aren't a regular in the Tour, but the ascents of the Agnés and the Pailheres bring some familiarity to the route, but with no easy place to recover from what will be an all-day roller in the mountains. With 5400 meters of ascent there's a lot of damage that can be done, with it's 8 categorized climbs.
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Stage 12 is one for the sprinters, a mediterraneen ride, starting right by the border of Spain in Cerbère and going through some of the main cities in the sea-by region, such as Narbonne and Béziers, before a flat and fast finish is expected in Montpellier
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Stage 13 takes the riders to Provence and the majority of it's main cities, it's a mostly flat stage but is more rolling than the others, with some long drags alongside the wide country roads. The finish comes from a slight descent after the Montée du Camp, and the finish line will be in Toulon, right by the sea after another long day in the saddle.
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Stage 14 is the first incursion in the Alps but through the Atlantic ones, in the cycling-famed region of Nice. After the start in Menton the riders head to Nice and go through some of the climbs that are very well reputated due to it's presence in the Paris-Nice, and in the end it totals to a lot of climbing with a summit finish in the Madone d'Utelle, that is sure to make further differences in the GC. There's a flat day coming after, before the race goes seriously into the Alps.
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Stage 15 is the final flat stage before Paris, having the alpine cities host such a stage isn't usual, but the sprinters will indeed have their chance to get another win, not a hard stage despite a general uphill drag all day long, and for the GC riders it's a relative rest day before the final set of mountains.
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Stage 16 is a loop around Barcelonette, of what can only be called the hardest of mountain stages. Almost 6000 meters of climbing this Tour is definetely suited for the climbers, and it's mammooth climbing stages like this that should be more integrated in the actual Tour. The climbs are long, and steep, and in the fearsome Col de la Bonette the riders will go up to 2700 meters of height, before descending down to Barcelonette again and climbing to the finish in the Pra-Loup ski station. It's the first day in the real Alps and it's a brutal one to start with.

Pra-Loup was a turning point in Eddy Merckx's career, after being punched by a "fan" in the previous stage to Puy-de-Dôme, Merckx set out for stage 15 of the 1975 Tour in the yellow jersey, and suffering from the consequences of the injury that left him with an inflamed liver, it was in the climb to Pra-Loup that he cracked, was overtaken by his rivals and lost the Yellow jersey. Pra-Loup was the last climb Merckx ever did in the Maillot Jaune, hence why it's nicknamed the place of "Le Tombeur du Cannibale"
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Stage 17 brings the race to one of the biggest cycling centers of the Alps in the Maurienne valley, but before the Galibier will be climbed via the Lautaret. And in what will be a very short stage, the Croix de Fer will be climbed with it's start in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, one of the least convential sides.
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Stage 18 is the queen stage, flowing around the Jura mountains, a full mammooth stage in the mountains including some of the region's most iconic climbs. Part of the Alps but in the Jura, the Mont du Chat, Mont de Semnoz and Grand Colombier will be climbed, but there are even more climbs in the way to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, in a day that will be both the longest with 246Km and the stage with most climbing, with 6200 meters of climbing.
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Stage 19 is the final time-trial of the race, it's a rolling 37.6Km challenge, not easy at all but not one for the GC men. It features a bit of climbing in it's early part and then returns to Besançon.
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Stage 20 is the final point where the Tour can be decided. The race came north into the Vosges where the weather can become dreadful, and goes through some of the most iconic climbs of the region in another shark-tooth profile day. The Grand Ballon, the Petit Ballon, the Platzerwasel and the Ballon d'Alsace are some of the climbs that really show some of the best of the final mountain range in the race.

The final climb of the race, the Ballon d'Alsace, the place where in 1969 Eddy Merckx won his first ever Tour stage and began there a legacy, he set up for the win in his debut Grand Boucle that set up for 4 consecutive Tour wins.
Image
And stage 21 brings us to the end of the Tour, the classic circuit in Champs-Élysées but with a short stages for some excitement that may usually lack. Nothing special, a passing through Versailles and the intermediate sprint before the circuit we all know well.


Stage 8 brings another Eddy Merckx reference, it's where in 1971, he was in contention to win his 3rd Tour but had a rough start to the second week. It was here in Albi where he won a time-trial, and in the next day he got the Yellow Jersey back from Luis Ocaña who abandoned, and kept it all the way to Paris. Stage 16 finishes in Pra-Loup, it was a turning point in Eddy Merckx's career, after being punched by a "fan" in the previous stage to Puy-de-Dôme, Merckx set out for stage 15 of the 1975 Tour in the yellow jersey, and suffering from the consequences of the injury that left him with an inflamed liver, it was in the climb to Pra-Loup that he cracked, was overtaken by his rivals and lost the Yellow jersey. Pra-Loup was the last climb Merckx ever did in the Maillot Jaune, hence why it's nicknamed the place of "Le Tombeur du Cannibale". And the final climb of the race, the summit finish in Ballon d'Alsace is the place where in 1969 Eddy Merckx won his first ever Tour stage and began there a legacy, he set up for the win in his debut Grand Boucle that set up for 4 consecutive Tour wins.


This race features:
8 sprint stages (spread around the race and country)
3 hilly stages (all with slight uphill finishes)
7 mountain stages with 5 summit finishes
2 ITT's total of 64.6Km and a TTT of 33.2Km
2 lumpy stages in Massif Central, 2 in Pyrinees, 1 in Côte d'Azur, 2 in the Rhône-Alpes, 1 in the Jura and 1 in the Vosges. At least a stage in every mountain range and main cycling region.
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Alfa »

CONTEST TOUR DE FRANCE 2019: maps/tours/view/11906

Total distance : 3587 km
Total KOM : 74
Total ITT: 38,45 km
Total TTT: 29,59 km

Stage 1: Bruxelles > Bruxelles - Atomium (Team time trial - 29,59 km)

I kept the TTT because I thought it was very good. I just put it in first stage to give more excitement.
Image

Stage 2: Bruxelles > Bruxelles - Château de Laeken (Cobbles - 219,48 km)

I change that stage and put the Muur at the near end of the stage to give it more interest.
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Reference to Eddy Merckx: This stage is going through Woluwe-Saint-Pierre where Eddy lived when he was young.

Stage 3: Louvain > Revin (Flat - 188,44 km)

Classic flat stage with some landforms in the middle of the stage.
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Reference to Eddy Merckx: We're passing in front of Eddy's birthplace in the beginning of the stage: Tieltsestraat in Meensel-Kiezegem.

Stage 4: Charleville-Mézières > Nancy (Flat - 222,82 km)

This stage seems like the real one ending in Nancy but it's longer and surely more difficult.
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Stage 5: St-Dié-des-Vosges > Le Thillot (High Mountain - 176,14 km)

It's a combine of the two Vosgian stages in the real TDF. I retired LPDBF which I think too hard to make the course moving. I think this one with finish at the end of the descent of Ballon d'Alsace is more interesting.
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Reference to Eddy Merckx: The last climb of the day (Ballon d'Alsace) is a reference to the first victory in the TDF of Eddy Merckx.

Stage 6: Remiremont > Dole (Flat - 158,10 km)

Classic flat stage again. Maybe a breakaway can go far with the first pass.
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Stage 7: Dole > Lyon (Hilly - 227,35 km)

A stage through the Jura today. Can surely favor a breakaway and give an explanation between favorites in the final climb: famous Fourvière.
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Stage 8: Saint-Etienne > Puy de Dôme (High Mountain - 213,52 km)

First MTF of the tour. And not just any. Puy de Dôme comes back to give an incredible battle. I let also Mur d'Aurec-sur-Loire to see what it can do.
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Reference to Eddy Merckx: It's of course a reference to the famous stages of Merckx on the Puy de Dôme. The 20th stage of the Tour 1969 was won by Eddy Merckx and one of his first victories ever on TDF. There was also the stage when he got punched by a spectator.

REST DAY/ JOUR DE REPOS

Stage 9: Clermont-Ferrand > Tulle (Treize Vents) (Hilly - 145,57 km)

Finish for a puncher after first rest day. It will be an explanation between favorites with surely no gaps.
Image

Stage 10: Tulle > Bordeaux (Flat - 227,97 km)

Flat stage with maybe some wind.
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Stage 11: Bordeaux > Libourne (ITT - 38,45 km)

I prefered a longer ITT than Pau's one so I decided to do it in Bordeaux which is a very beautiful city and could be discovered spectators during the live.
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Stage 12: Libourne > Toulouse (Flat - 234,50 km)

Flat stage following the Garonne.
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Stage 13: Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Luchon (High Mountain - 167,35 km)

One important climb in this stage: mythical Port de Balès. I honestly don't like too much the MTF on Tourmalet so I decided to change this stage in my way.
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Stage 14: Bagnères-de-Luchon > Goulier Neige (High Mountain - 150,43 km)

Interesting stage in the Pyrénées. Last 3 climbs are very close so attacks can be engaged here.
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Stage 15: Limoux > Foix (High Mountain - 142,67 km)

I rearranged this stage with my way. I think Prat d'Albis is a good climb but completely wastes Mur de Péguère, so I've chosen to keep Péguère instead. I added Col de Port before that can be a good opportunity to attack.
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Stage 16: Carcassonne > Lunel (Flat - 192,30 km)

WIND WIND WIND WIND
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REST DAY/JOUR DE REPOS

Stage 17: Pont du Gard > Gap (Medium Mountain - 226,22 km)

I also rearranged this stage because I thought mountains were not enough exploited. A breakaway battle can be engaged in the middle of the stage and give us a very good stage.
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Stage 18: Gap > Col de Granon (High Mountain - 186,40 km)

The (not enough climbed) Col de Granon is coming this year. A great climb after a very hard day: Alpe, Sarenne and Lautaret. Hardest stage today with + 5000 D+.
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Stage 19 : Briançon > Tignes (High Mountain - 169,87 km)

I didn't change too much that stage because I just think it is perfect. That last Iseran-Tignes is just so perfect to make gaps. A rider who attacks in Iseran has a lot of chances to gain more advantage in the last climb.
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Stage 20: Passy > Flaine (High Mountain - 157,80 km)

A not famous climb today with Col de Pierre Carrée. It's the first time in the TDF today and it's very difficult, mostly the first third of the climb. We also see Colombière, Aravis and Ramaz before.
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Reference to Merckx: Today we're starting from Passy where Eddy Merckx became for the first time of his carreer world champion (in amateur) in 1964.

Stage 21: Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Elysées (Flat - 121,03 km)

Last stage, the yellow jersey can enjoy his victory!
Image

THE END

Thank you for reading, Alfa...
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by IamCeeKae »

Contest submission: maps/tours/view/12014

Statistics:
Total distance = 3329.7 km
7 high mountain stages, 4 medium mountain stages, 7 flat stages, 2 individual time-trials, 1 team time-trial.
3 high mountain top finishes, 1 flat top finish.
ITT total distance = 25.5 km
TTT total distance = 29.4 km
Total KOM sprints = 50
Total HC climbs = 5

Stage 1: Bruxelles > Bruxelles - Chateau de Laken (210.1 km)

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The first stage of 2019's Tour de France starts and finishes in Brussels. The Tour organizers decided this as to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Eddy Merckx' first Tour de France victory.

It is for this very reason, that the riders will also pass the town in which Merckx was born, called Meensel-Kiezegem. In here, the first points for the sprinters jersey will be distributed, as well as the first bonification seconds. Beforehand, the cyclists have already passed the Pellenberg, the first categorized climb of the Tour, and the only climb of the stage. Only the riders who arrives at the top first, will be given a single point, and is allowed to hold on to his jersey for at least two stages.

The finish is flat, and people predict a mass sprint finish. This matter is helped by the fact that, starting from the town of Ninove, the riders will ride in one straight line towards Brussels, over the N8, before the road finally starts twisting and turning again for the last six kilometers before the finish. By then, it is expected that the peloton has already caught up with that day's breakaway. Despite it predicted to be a mass sprint - everybody has a chance, not only the breakaway -, this doesn't mean that only the pure sprinters are the favorites. Look out for the punchers, the finish at the Chateau de Laken is uphill, and not too unsteep.


Stage 2: Brussels - Palais > Brussels - Atomium (29.4 km)

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Stage two starts and finishes in Brussels. The teams and cyclists greet the Belgian king at their depart from the royal palace of Brussels. Halfway through the stage, the Tour shall welcome travellers from the Brussels airport, for their efforts in wanting to see the first two stages of the 2019 Tour de France with their own eyes. The finish is at one of Belgium's most iconic landmarks to date: the Atomium. This landmark was built in 1958, to celebrate that year's world's fair, also called the Expo 58, coming to their country.


Stage 3: Zottegem > Kassel (198.5 km)

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This stage has everything. It ranges from cobbles to hills, to flat stretches and an uphill finish. The sprinters will have their chances soon, but this stage is meant for punchers.

The start is in Zottegem, a town in the Flanders side of Belgium. Somewhere halfway through the stage, the cyclists will come across a chain of 4th category hills at the French-Belgian border. The Kemmelberg can be considered the most crucial part of the stage's development. It is a small, yet steep, 4th category hill, and simultaneously its road is cobbled. It can be the cause of many riders dropping off the tail of a peloton slowly decreasing in size, and if any cyclist wants to take the risk and distance itself from the others, this might be the best place to do it. Ahead of them lie five more small climbs in quick succession, which can be used as good leverage to expand the distance between the cyclists themselves and their opponents.

After said section, there's another flat stretch, making it difficult for the breakaway to keep their distance from the peloton. Only the last 60 kilometers are ridden in France. The finish is on top of the Mont Kassel, with the last few hundred meters surprising the punchers with just a little bit more cobbles in the town's Grand Place.


Stage 4: Arras > Châlons-en-Champagne (237.6 km)

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The fourth stage is a flat stage. Apart from a few uncategorized climbs at about the 100 kilometer mark, the cyclists will not fall victim to any uphill efforts on this day. One more thing to be noted is that this stage is the longest in this version of the Tour de France, stretching from the city of Arras, going on for 238 kilometers, until its finish in Châlons-en-Champagne. The finish too, is as flat as it can get, so there is a very large chance that one of your favorite sprinters might win this stage.


Stage 5: Vitry-le-François > Lunéville (195.4 km)

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Stage five reaches from Vitry-le-François to Lunéville. It is not necessarily a tough stage, and the finish will likely end up to become a mass sprint, but what matters is the cyclists who perform said sprint.

To clarify: in total the stage possesses two very steep, successive climbs of second and third category respectively. Before the start of these climbs, the sprinters are already met with a dilemma. Either spare their energy in hopes of surviving the Côte de Mousson and the Côte Sainte-Geneviève, or use it all for the intermediate sprint right before starting them, with the idea they won't reach the finish with enough power left in their tanks.


Stage 6: Nancy > Ballon d'Alsace (167.6 km)

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For the observant cycling fan, this stage's finish might not have come as a surprise, especially given that today's stage is listed as the sixth stage of this year's Tour de France. The finish, especially, is dedicated entirely to Eddy Merckx' first ever Tour de France stage victory. On top of which mountain? The Ballon d'Alsace. When? In the sixth stage of the 1969 Tour edition. In some way or form, despite not being the exact date, people can consider the gap between these stages one of exactly fifty years.

The start is in Nancy, the city the riders have already seen at a distance during the stage prior to this one. From here, it will be a flat stretch of about 110 kilometers, until the cyclists will start this day's first climb; the Col de la Croix des Moinats. From there, they'll go from steep climbs to difficult descents, until finally arriving on top of the Ballon d'Alsace, on which lies the finish.


Stage 7: Belfort > Besançon (166.4 km)

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Stage seven of this year's Tour de France is a medium difficulty stage, with three second category climbs, just like the previous. However, to ease things up, the first category climb has been replaced by a third category climb, and the finish is no longer on top of the mountain anymore. Instead, the cyclists are met with a very steep climb, within the last twenty kilometers still, where anything can happen. Although some sprinters might be able to survive, a true mass sprint is unlikely.

The start of the stages lies in Belfort, a town not far off from the Vosges mountain chain. The finish lies 166 kilometers further, in Besançon. During this stage, as well as the previous one, the cyclists are given a tease of what truly lies before them.


Stage 8: Dole > Oyonnax (210.3 km)

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In the eighth stage, the cyclists embed themselves into the French-Swiss Jura mountain chain, starting in Dole, while not coming across any climbs higher than third category on their path.

In fact, the most notable climb is more than 150 kilometers away from the finish in Oyonnax; a third category climb called the Col du Coda, one of notable steepness.

This does not, however, mean that the stage should be considered a flat one, meant for the sprinters. This is because the climbs are few and far apart. Three kilometers before the finish, the riders have finally arrived at the top of the last climb, the Côte de Doltan, of fourth category. Only the sprinters with the biggest endurance, capable of surviving uphill battles, can give this stage a try.


Stage 9: Bourg-en-Bresse > Grenoble (191.0 km)

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The Alps are inbound! Grenoble is the place to see everything envelop. And yet, this stage is one for the sprinters. The last one before the Tour favorites can unleash their powers in the mountains.

The start of the stage lies in Bourg-en-Bresse. The riders will be met with one bump along the road, and maybe some slight difficulty on the false flat roads between 120 and 150 kilometers, but all in all, until the finish in Grenoble, we can predict the outcome of this stage to be a mass-sprint. Or maybe, just maybe, can the breakaway stay ahead of the peloton?


Stage 10: Grenoble > Signal de Bisanne (191.2 km)

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And so, the first true Alps stage enters the Tour de France in a blast. A total of three mountains of first category or above, in a stage with a length of 190 kilometers.

The start is where the cyclists finished the day before, in Grenoble. From here, they'll pass three mountains, two of which in quick succession after each other, namely the Col de Plainpalais and the Mont Semnoz.

The Mont Semnoz has been most famous in the Tour for its notable finish in the 20th stage in the Tour's 2013 edition. This time however, the riders will start the climb from a different position, with the climb's foot in the small town of Leschraines, making it just a little easier for them to climb over it, and making it a first category climb, instead of outer category.

The finish is a first timer. The Montee de Bisanne has been passed before in the Tour, in 2016 and 2018. This year however, the riders will go up just a bit more, taking a turn left (the foot of the climb lies in Villard-sur-Doron) and heading for its absolute peak, the Signal de Bisanne.


Stage 11: Albertville > Modane (176.6 km)

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Stage eleven starts in Albertville and has a total of four tough climbs over the course of 90 kilometers, none of which in the last 50 kilometers of the stage. What this means is that this stage might not even be one for the favorites, but is it an option for sprinters with strong legs?

Three of the climbs are mountains, two of which follow in quick succession after each other, in such a way that they could also be rated as a single outer category climb. Despite that, the cyclists start descending and no climbs are on their path again after 120 kilometers have already been ridden. From there on out it's only downwards, until the finish in Modane.


Stage 12: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Embrun (153.6 km)

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Stage twelve challenges the cyclists over a course that is marginally shorter than most that have been ridden prior. Despite that, it shouldn't be considered an easy stage. With a total of three climbs, two of which are in quick succession of each other, it will form a tough race for most cyclists. Despite this however, the last fifty kilometers are mostly either downhill or completely flat.

The start of the stage lies in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. After 153 kilometers and three first and upper category climbs, the cyclists will finish in the town of Embrun.


Stage 13: Chorges > Gap (18.6 km)

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Stage 13 is an individual time trial, stretching from the Chorges to Gap. In between, the riders will be required to climb for a moment over an uncategorized bump on the road. There's a single intermediate time-check in La Bâtie-Neuve, from where the cyclists can estimate how much longer they have to paddle, and how much faster, if need be.


Stage 14: Gap > Aix-en-Provence (175.2 km)

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Finally the Tour favorites can relax again, somewhat. Today's stage no longer requires their legs to climb large mountains or battle against the clock. Instead, they're simply hills with no further story behind them.

The start lies in Gap, and over the course of a little more than 170 kilometers, as well as two tough climbs in the last fifty, the riders will finally leave the Alps behind them. The finish is in Aix-en-Provence.


Stage 15: Salon-de-Provence > Montpellier (165.1 km)

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No Tour de France is complete without a windy stage right next to a sea or ocean. On a good day, with bad weather of course, the peloton can split up and form patterns very defining for windy stages such as the one we hope this stage will become.

Although the Mediterranean, compared to the Atlantic, is a much calmer region, especially weather wise, this does not mean that the riders aren't in for a challenge during this stage. Starting in Salon-de-Provence and ending in Montpellier, this stage is one meant for the sprinters, but don't let that deceive you. At the very end the road picks up a gradient just to make it a bit tougher for them.


Stage 16: Montpellier > Mazamet (196.5 km)

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Stage sixteen is a stage not to be reckoned with. The toughest mountains aren't present yet, but between the Alps and the Pyrenées there are still hilly regions through which the riders can and will climb. Three 2nd category hills and a 3rd category climb right before the finish.

After a rest day in the city of Montpellier, the cyclists are asked to ride 196,5 tough kilometers towards the finish line in Mazamet. True sprinters haven't got a chance here.


Stage 17: Castres > Auch (157.1 km)

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Albeit not a time-trial, nor a mountainous stage, this seventeenth stage from Castres to Auch, is meant to refer to Eddy Merckx last ever stage victory in the Tour de France. It was in Auch that The Cannibal devoured a time-trial that eventually lead him to the second place in the overall rankings. The town called Auch symbolizes the end of an era for many a cycling fan.

Stage seventeen is short for a sprint stage. Its terrain is slightly wobbly, but this isn't supposed to demotivate the sprinters from reaching the finish line first. It is in this stage where said sprinters have their last shot at a stage victory.


Stage 18: Pavie > Plateau de Beille (208.9 km)

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Starting from Pavie, stage eighteen will be the last stage finishing on summit of a large mountain. In this case, said summit will be the famous Plateau de Beille. Not only that however. Between start and finish are a total of four categorized climbs, as well as some hills with a steepness that can challenge the average cyclist.


Stage 19: Foix > Bagnères-de-Luchon (152.9 km)

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Stage nineteen involves just one categorized climb, but still one not to be reckoned with. Unlike many single-mountain stages, said trait has the Mont Ventoux as a very good example, this stage actually doesn't finish atop the summit, but instead in the valley in Bagnères-de-Luchon.


Stage 20: Saint-Lary-Soulan > Lourdes (120.8 km)

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Stage twenty marks as the second-to-last stage, and the last climbs before the cyclists travel back to Paris as they always do in preparation for the last stage in Champs-Elysées. Stage twenty marks a tough one, albeit short in distance.

Its start lies in Saint-Lary-Soulan, after which the cyclists pass over three climbs, named the Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet, and what's supposed to be Luz Ardiden. However, considering the riders don't finish on top of the latter's summit, this means they'll start the descend as soon as they're on top of the Col de Trabaou, and ride downwards into the valley, with the finish lying in Lourdes.

The stage will be early in the day, likely finishing somewhere in the midst of the afternoon hours, so that the riders can take the TGV from Lourdes to Paris quickly before the day is over, and are able to rest before the last stage of this year's Tour de France edition.


Stage 21: Paris - Champs-Elysées > Paris - Grand Palais (6.9 km)

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For the uninformed reader this might come as a surprise, but it was actually in Paris, that Eddy Merckx won most of his stages. A grand total of three times, he was awarded winner of the Tour's very last stage. All of said stages share one thing in common: they were time-trials.

If a short individual time-trial at the start of a stage race is called a prologue, one would make a good point in calling a short individual at the very end of a stage race an epilogue. Starting on the Champs-Elysées, the riders will follow the same route as a regular lap in most last stages of the Tour de France go; over Champs-Elysées, past the Place de la Concorde, around the Arc de Triomphe, and then towards the finish.

Said finish lies just a couple hundred meters next to the Champs-Elysées, sandwiched between the two famous buildings of the Petit Palais, and of course the Grand Palais.
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Carlo33
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Carlo33 »

Carlo33 wrote: 11/06/2019, 16:13 Can I make a Finish in Monaco?
??????
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MountainMaster
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by MountainMaster »

emmea90 wrote: 26/05/2019, 19:33 - You can do at least another stage in Belgium and you cannot go out of France after the Belgium Stages
I think you cannot since Monaco isn't part of France.
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benoît.guillot
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by benoît.guillot »

Tour 2019 by benoit.guillot

maps/tours/view/11942


Overview :
- 3500 km from Bruxelles to Paris including 73 kilometers of time trial.
- 6 plain stages, 4 hilly stages, 3 medium moutains stages, 6 high moutain stages, 1 Team Time Trial and 1 Individual Time Trial. Two rest day after stages 8 in Aix-les-Bains and stage 14 in Carcassonne.
- 66 KOM sprints, 21 4th category, 13 3th category, 12 2nd category, 12 1st category and 6 HC (Col de la Madeleine, Val Thorens, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier, Port de Paillhères, Lac de Cap-de-Long).


This edition of Tour de France is dedicated to Eddy Merckx. 3 Stages has been made to honor him. Visiting mostly East of France, the road of this adition will be very difficult, sprinters could compete mostly on 7 stage, the rest of the stages can crown either leaders, climb specialist or long-distance fighters.
Between lakes and moutains, water and earth are the main actors of this route. Several stages visit places that made Tour de France famous along the years. Bruxelles, Lac de Madine, Gerardmer, Galibier, Tourmalet, Briançon, among severals others. But some places will visited for the first time, creating novelty and difficulty as we will see in the detailled stages.


Stage 1 : Bruxelles (Place Royale) – Bruxelles (Château de Laeken) // 195km // plain

Grand départ from the belgian capital. Riders will start from the place royale to reach Namur and climb the famous citadelle and its cobble road. The end of the stage will simply be the return to Bruxelles among several cobble roads sectors and a very first massive sprint will certainly take place in front of the Château de Laeken, official residence of the belgian king.

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Stage 2 : Bruxelles (Palais Royal) – Bruxelles (Atomium) // 27,5km // TTT

The second day of the race will take the team to fight against the clock. The route will favor the specialist teams as it is completely flat and fast. The race will say good-bye to Bruxelles in front of the Atomium.

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Stage 3 : Meensel-Kiezegem - Bouillon // 204,5km // hilly

To honor The Cannibal, Eddy Merckx, this third stage (and last one in Belgium) will start right in front of the house where the champion is born, june the 17th 1945. After several kilometers south west, the race will take a look of an Ardennes route, reaching several climb included the world famous Mur de Huy. The finish line in Bouillon, near the french boarder will crown a strong man as the sprinters will certainly be lost on the road.

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Stage 4 : Sedan - Lac de Madine // 186km // plain

For the second time this year, sprinters will be on the top ! Even though the pack will climb two times around the battlefield of Verdun, there will be no difficulties for them to reach the finish line as victors on the shore of the Lac de Madine.

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Stage 5 : Pont-à-Mousson - Gerardmer // 173,5km // medium moutain

Reaching the Vosges as the first moutainous massif of this edition, cyclists will cross the Lorraine until they arrive to Gerardmer. The two last climb of the day will force the leaders and the climber to show themselves for the first time.

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Stage 6 : Gerardmer - Besançon // 162km // hilly

No time to lose so no time to stay in the Vosges. Crossing the Col de Grosse-Pierre, we will arrive in Besançon after a road trip in Franche-Comté. Only the strongest punchers of the peloton could compete for the victory on the top of the second citadelle climb this year after a final of 800 meters with an average slope of 8%, reaching 15% in some portions of the road.

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Stage 7 : Besançon - Mouthe // 195,5km // medium moutain

One more difficult stage to take riders in the Jura, second massif of the year. After a calm start, the race will climb among the Jura until they arrive in the city wich has the record of the lowest temperature ever recorded in france (-43,5°C) : Mouthe. This difficult stage will be the last one before the Alps

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Stage 8 : Chaux-lès-Crotenay-Site d'Alésia - Aix-les-Bains // 201km // high moutain

This is the first high moutain stage. Starting from Choux-lès-Crotenay (known to be one of the site which could the place of the antique Alesia where Caesar win against Vercingétorix and his celtic tribes) the main difficulty of the stage will be the Col du Grand Colombier and its road downhill to arrive in Aix-les-Bains where Eddy Merckx has comfort the last yellow jersey he will take to Paris in 1974, after being attacked by Raymon Poulidor.

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REST DAY IN AIX-LES-BAINS

Stage 9 : Chambery - Val Thorens // 169,5km // high moutain

This time, it's for real. No chance to win this Tour de France if you cannot compete against the other climbing to the ski station of Val Thorens. This will be one the most difficult stage of this year. The final climb lasts 36 kilometers and even if this is not the hardest slope that the cyclists will know, large gaps in the genral standing are more than possible.

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Stage 10 : La Chambre - Col du Lautaret // 117km // high moutain

The tenth stage is a short and electric stage. The pack will climb the Croix-de-Fer, the Mollard, the Télégraphe and the Galibier before the fast downhill to the Col du Lautaret where the finish line is. This will an intense fight from the first to the last kilometers and only the strongest will be on the top.

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Stage 11 : Briançon - Nyons // 194,5km // plain

After two insane stages, the pack will get pack on his feet leaving Briançon in a calm stage wich bring them to Nyons after a route mainly based on downhill to the west and the Rhône Valley. This will be the great return for the sprinters, I mean, only the one who will be still in the pack after the Alps.

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Stage 12 : Valréas - Montpellier // 175,5km // plain

For the first time of the year, the sprinters can compete in a second stage in a row. Those two stages will certainly be used to comfort the green jersey on the shoulder of the fastest man in the pack.

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Stage 13 : Montpellier - Albi // 220km // hilly

The longest day of this year. 220 kilometers to take riders from the mediteranean sea to the southern moutainside of the Massif Central. Several climb will spice up the route and sprinters will certainly decide to let the break away win on this one. Unless the leaders have some others ideas in mind.

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Stage 14 : Gaillac - Mazamet // 176,5km // medium mountain

Juste before the second rest day, the race will know the Pic de Nore. Already climb in 2018, this moutain from the Haut-Languedoc will thsit ime be used as a judge to the victory. The man who will be the first in the top would certainly be the one who will raise his arms on the finish line.

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REST DAY IN CARCASSONE

Stage 15 : Carcassone - Tarascon-sur-Ariège // 187,5km // high mountain

Another stage to bite the dust. After 100 flat kilometers, three climbs included the HC climb of the Port de Paillhères, the leaders will fight to the top of a new ascension, the col de Lamat with severals kilometers of dirt roads just before and after the top ! This will be a wonderful discover.

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Stage 16 : Foix - Lac de Cap-de-Long // 210km // high mountain

Without any discussion, this will be the queen stage of this edition ! 210 kilometers, 6 climbs included two HC with the Port de Balès and the climb to the Lac de Cap-de-Long, above Saint-Lary-Soulan for the very first time in the Tour de France ! Great day to be a climber, great day to win the Tour de France !

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Stage 17 : Lannemezan - Lourdes // 176km // high mountain

Exiting the Pyrenées, exiting the moutain ! Between Lannemezan and Lourdes, there will be although four very difficult climb, included the col du Tourmalet, the very last HC climb of this edition.

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Stage 18 : Lourdes - Jurançon // 192km // hilly

Not a another sprinter win despite we reach Pau and flat road. Several little hill around Pau will spice up the end of the track before an arrival in Jurançon. Consume with moderation, of course.

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Stage 19 : Pau - Pau // 45,5km // ITT

This is the last fight for the yellow jersey, the last time anyone can compete and try to win the Tour de France. Around Pau, another time in the Tour de France history, leaders will face a difficult route. No categorized climbs but several hill will make the fight difficult. After that one, the head of the overall standing will certainly not move anymore.

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Stage 20 : Billères - Bordeaux // 206km // plain

Juste before a last stage in Paris which can be difficult, the sprinter cannot let this stage pass and even if some bold men will try and get away from the pack, the issue of the race in Bordeaux is certainly already known for everybody. This also will be the last time celebrating Eddy Merckx this year in a place where he win several time, as a sprinter or against the clock in time trials.

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Stage 21 : Saint-Denis- Stade de France - Paris-Champs Elysées // 77,5km // plain

Another very short stage. This will be intense one more and one last time because the pack will discover the clim of Montmartre and its cobble road sector. after that they will find again the Champs Elysées for the seven tradionnal lap. Seven lap to win the stage, seven lap before the delivrance.

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JoostvandeBeek
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by JoostvandeBeek »

This is my version of the Tour: maps/tours/view/11929

A quick summary
- 3687 km, of which are 41 are in ttt, 45 indivdual timetrial kilometres.
- 9 flat stages with one flat top finish
- 3 hilly stages with two hill top finishes
- 7 mountain stages with 4 mountain top finishes

Stage 1: Brussel (Molenbeek) - Brussel (Atomium) (40.96 km) ***
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The first stage of the tour is already a very important one, as we start with a long and difficult team time trial around the city of the Brussels. Passing along some landmarks, the GC leaders and their teams must immediately show up, because some big gaps could already emerge.

Stage 2: Brussel (Koninklijk Paleis) - Brussel (Kasteel van Laken) (224.33 km) ***
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A royal stage for the this second day of the Tour as we go from one royal palace to another. On the road we also pass the birthplace of a cycling legend, no other than Eddy Merckx. After a quiet start the difficulty of this stage lies in the end, as we pass on numerous cobbled climbs. But this are not the well known cobbles of the Flemish Ardennes, but the lesser known cobbles in Flemish and Walloon Brabant, with de Dikkemeerberg and the Alsemberg made famous by the historic finale of the Brabantse Pijl. Again this is a stage where all the GC riders need to be focused, but in the end the stage victory will most likely go to a classics rider.

Stage 3: Aalst - Mont Cassel (199.36 km) **
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Some more cobbles for the third stage of this Tour, but the cobbles are much less difficult as previous stage. On the way to the finish we pass trough some hills of the Flemish Ardennes, but the real difficulty of this stage lies in the final 15 km of this stage, as the Mont Cassel has to be climbed twice, each time from a different side. The climbs itself are not the hardest, as are the cobbles, butt still we should a fight between the stronger riders in the peloton

Stage 4: Aire-sur-la-Lys - Étaples (166.56 km) *
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For the first time the pure sprinters will have their say in this relatively short and easy stage. But that is if they don't get caught behind, as the last 20 km of these stage pass along the coast, which creates the opportunity for echelons if the weather gods allow it. Furhtermore the finish straight is also a bit tricky as the finish is on a slight uphill drag. The sprinter who wants to win here has to be a strong man.

Stage 5: Abbeville - Gournay-en-Bray (201.5km) *
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Without any major challenges on the road, a royal sprint seems inevitable in this flat stage

Stage 6: Mantes - Monterreau-Fault-Yonne (230.59 km) **
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A tricky stage as none of today's climbs exceed the fourth category, but they are numerous. 16 climbs need to be covered, of which 7 are in the last 50 km including the final climb up to the finish.

Stage 7: Sens - Épernay (225.07 km) ***
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This stage is for the puncheurs, as the course somewhat resembles that of the Ardennes classics. Also a stage where the GC riders can show there legs for the first time.

Stage 8: Châlons-en-Champagne - Neufchâteau (169.2 km) **
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A short stage with only one difficulty, but one that comes at an interesting place in the race as it could be a place to launch a winning breakaway into the finish in Neufchâteau.

Stage 9: Épinal Ventron (Ermitage du Frère Joseph) (181.37 km) ****
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The first real mountain stage in this tour takes place in the Vosges mountains. On the road we pass on Gerardmer and the Grand Ballon, before a combo of the Col d'Oderen and the final climb to the ski station of Ermitage du Frère Joseph. The climbs are not the hardest but if you cannot afford to have a bad day on this stage.

Rest day Gerardmer

Stage 10: Vésoul - Pontarlier (174.5 km) ***
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The first day after the first rest day will most likely for the breakaway. We face a hilly terrain with as we pass on the outskirts of the Jura Mountains.

Stage 11: Pontarlier - Champfromier (Les Avalanches) (186.98 km) ****
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Today we really go into the Jura, as we finish on a place the tour has never been before. On our way to the finish line the riders firstly have to climb to Station des Rousses (8.6 km à 4.6%), the Col de la Croix de Serra (12.3 km à 5.2%) and the Col de Menthières (14.4 km à 5.4%) before we begin on the final and problably the hardest climb of the day Les Avalanches. This climb may only be a mere 5 km long but it averages out at a whopping 11% over those 5 km with a max gradient of 15%. If the stage in the Vosges did not create any major gaps, this stage certainly will.

Stage 12: Bellegarde-sur-Valserine - Grenoble (156.01 km) **
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Before we really start with the Alps, the sprinters are given another chance in this short stage. They will most certainly grab this one as the next opportunity won't be after the next rest day.

Stage 13: Pontcharra - Saint-Martin-d'Uriage (156.47 km) *****
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The first real Alpine stage does not go by the famous alpine passes, but does not mean this stage is easy. The climbs are steep, but not too long. At 40 km before the finish we pass on the finish for the first time for a lap containing the Chamrousse (17.7 km à 7.4%), the first HC climb of this Tour and arguable the hardest climb of the day. The finish is after a 18 km long descent into the finish.

Stage 14: Bourg-d'Oisans - Karellis (122.5 km) *****
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This may be the shortest stage of the Tour, but that won't make out of an easy. Right out of the start we start climbing on the flanks of the famous Alpe d'Huez. But we won't fully ascend this climb as little past halfway, the course turns north towards de Pas de la Confession (10.4 km à 7.8%) and descends to the Col de la Croix de Fer (27.7 km à 4,6%). After this the course climbs back up to the Col de Mollard followed by a tricky descent towards the last climb of the day Karellis (15.1 km à 7.7%). But the stage does not end there, as there is 5 km downhill into the final finish straight in the ski village of Karellis.

Stage 15: Grenoble - Orcières-Merlette (181.85 km) ****
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The last stage before the rest day and final stage in the Alps is dedicated to Eddy Merckx but not because for one of his famous victories but for one of his most embarssing losses. In the Tour of 1971 Merckx lost 8 minutes to his rival Ocaña in stage from Grenoble to Orcières-Merlettee. The course of today also climbs the Col du Noyer and of course de final climb to Orcières-Merlette but is hardened with the Col de Morte, the Col de Parquetout and the climb to the ski station of Chaillol 1600. In the final 20 km a small detour is made to include the steep climb to Serre-Eyraud for some more altitude gain.

Rest day Orcières-Merlette

Stage 16: Orcières-Merlette - Marseille (249.88 km) ***
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One of the best things about Merckx was his winning mentality and not having the ability to cope with a loss. That meant that whenever Merckx suffered a defeat in some way, he always bounced back stronger an kept on fighting untill the victory was his. The stage after his loss Ocaña is a prime example for the type of rider Merckx was. Merckx, stil bittered by the loss of two days ago, vowed to attack Ocaña the following stage. And that was what he did. From right out of the start Merckx, along with his teammate Rini Wagtmans, attacked in the descent of Orcières-Merlette for a stage long breakaway al the way to the finish in Marseille. Altough he only gained back two minutes on Ocaña, the hard stage had left his mark on his rival and Ocaña crashed out a couple of days later, leaving Merckx win his third consecutive Tour de France.
Today's stage is a copy of that monumental stage also starting a day after a rest day. Let's hope the riders are inspired by Merckx and create another memorable stage.

Stage 17: Arles - Capestang (198.82 km) **
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The last day for the sprinters before we had into the Pyrenees. There are no climbs on this course, but that does not mean that this will be an easy stage as most fo the rout passes along de Mediterenean Sea, so the riders must be aware for echelons.

Stage 18: Millas - Ille-sur-Têt (44.69 km) ***
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The only individual time trial of this Tour is one for the specialists. The course is long and altough it is far from flat the climbs are best suited for the riders that can grind the big gear. Pure climbers will hope to limit their losses to still make a chance for the overall win.

Stage 19: Foix - Superbagnères (211.05 km) *****
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The queen stage of this tour is a classic along the Pyrenees. Passing along the legendary cols like the Col de la Core, Col de Portret d'Aspet and the Col de Menté, the real difficulty lies in the last 40 km as the Port de Balès and the climb to Superbagnères has to climbed. This is the last MTF so the last chance for the climbers to gain back some serious time.

Stage 20: Areau - Mourenx (Vélodrome Eddy Merckx) (234.61 km) *****
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The penultimate stage of the Tour is dedicated to mabye the greatest stage win ever of the Cannibal. Comfortably leading the 1969 Tour de France Merckx with 8 minutes, Merckx decided it wasn't enough. On the stage from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Mourenx, Merckx attacked on the Tourmalet, more 120 km out of the finished. Merckx quickly gained a minute in the descent and continued riding over the Col d'Aubisque, only increasing his lead. At the finish in Mourenx he had doubled is overall lead.
This stage starts a little bit further down the road in Arreau and instead of climbing the Col d'Aspin, the peloton will ascent the Hourquette d'Ancizan, followed by the Col de Tourmalet, the Col des Bordères, the Col du Soulor and finally the Col d'Aubisque. But the climbs do not stop there as the final 100 km after the Col d'Aubisque resemble that of the Amstel Gold Race, with small roads and steep climbs. The finish of the stage will be in the Velodrome dedicated to Eddy Merckx.

Stage 21: Disneyland Paris - Paris (Champs-Elysées) (130.11 km) *
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The last stage will be a sprint on the Champs-Elysées where the yellow jersey can enjoy his victory
Last edited by JoostvandeBeek on 16/06/2019, 12:59, edited 10 times in total.
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pierrick.weather
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by pierrick.weather »

So, here's the "Sigis" Tour de France 2019 Route.
maps/tours/view/12025
STAGE 1 : Bruxelles-Bruxelles (ITT) - 11.5 km
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The first stage of the 2019 Tour de France is an individual Time Trial that will take place in the city center of Bruxelles. The favorites will be the rouleurs, who won't have so many options after this stage.
STAGE 2 : Bruxelles Palais Royal-Bruxelles Atomium-179.5 km
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the second stage will pay tribute to the "cannibal" Eddy Merckx since it passes near his birthplace of Meenseel-Kiezegem. The second part is dedicated to the cobblestone specialists, and could already make a selection amongst the favorites of this Tour.
STAGE 3 : Liege-Bastogne -205 km
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The third stage will probably be won by a puncher. The leaders won't probably make a move since the stage is quite long and since there is no real difficulty to make the difference between the favorites for the General classification. The yellow jersey will surely go to a member of the breakaway, who might keep it for several days.
STAGE 4 : Longwy-Epinal -199km
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Finally, The Tour De France arrives in France for this stage that will be the first real explanation between sprinters. It was more than time at the eve of the arrival in the Vosges.
STAGE 5 : Gerardmer-Le Ballon d'Alsace-211km
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This first high-mountain stage will pay another tribute to Eddy Merckx, by passing and arriving at the Ballon d'Alsace, where he won his first stage win in 1969. It will be the theatre of the first explanation between favorites, after 5 days of race.
STAGE 6 : Lure-Bourg-En-Bresse -223 km
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A plain, but not flat stage ! the riders will have to constantly face short climbs and downhills. Plus, the lenght of the stage will make the issue of the race very uncertain. Between the bests of the sprinters and the riders in the breakaway, who will win in Bourg-En-Bresse?
STAGE 7 : Macon-Mont Brouilly (TTT) -42km
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The teams of the favorites will have hard work today to limit the loss of time during this long,hilly time trial.
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REST IN LYON
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STAGE 8 : Villeurbanne-Aix-Les-Bains (Mont Revard) -175.5km
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The week 2 of this Tour begins with a high-mountain stage where the leaders will probably try to make the difference. The two HC climbs in the second part of the stage will encourage the riders to attack.
STAGE 9 : Chambery-Valbonnais -180.5km
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A new high-mountain stage, where the leaders will probably stay quiet, unless a favorite that had lost time tries to surprise everybody by attacking in the Col d'Ornon.
STAGE 10 : La Mure-Carpentras -210.5km
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This transition stage with provencal accents will probably go to one of the members of the morning breakaway. the riders will finish this stage at the feet of the Ventoux.
STAGE 11 : Bédoin-Mont Ventoux -19.84km
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The Tour couldn't just pass near the Ventoux and ignore it ! It will be the last ITT of this Tour, and the climbers that are also specialists in individual effort will do their best to try to earn as many time as possible.
STAGE 12 : Carpentras-Montpellier-156.5km
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This stage is the shortest flat stage of this Tour, but not the easiest one ! If the wind blows, this stage will be very nervous, with breaks in the pack during the second half of the stage ! If so, more than a leader might lose a lot of time on his concurrents ! The stage will probably end up in a sprint...Unless...
STAGE 13 : Montpellier-Carcassonne -187km
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If the mistral has created breaks in the Rhône Valley yesterday, the riders will have to be aware of the Tramontane, that could also create damages, and make another very nervous stage. The finish of the stage, however, will foster a mass sprint. But only the most resistant sprinter will win in the climb finish before the gates of the medieval city of Carcassonne.
STAGE 14 : Limoux-Pech-David -218km
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A Medium mountain stage made for baroudeurs ! The lenght and the profile will be the occasion for the riders in the breakaway to seek a stage victory ! But they will have to climb at the end of the stage the Pech-David, that overhangs Toulouse, and I can garantee that this isn't easy work after 215kms !
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REST IN TOULOUSE
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STAGE 15 : Saint-Gaudens-Saint-Lary-Soulan -171.5km
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A very important stage for the GC, if not the queen stage ! The riders will have to face more than 5300m of positive denivelation ! The climb at the end of the stage is an unprecedented one.
STAGE 16 : Bagnères-de-Bigorre-Mourenx -182km
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The stage will pay a last tribute to Eddy Merckx, with its 140 last kms, which are the very same than the ones of the phenomenal breakaway from the Cannibal during the Tour 1969 ! will some favorites follow his example?
STAGE 17 : Pau-Montauban -196km
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A flat stage, without many interest, that will for sure end up in a mass sprint, but the Tour also needs this type of stages !
STAGE 18 : Castelsarrasin-Figeac -194km
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This stage is categorized as "flat" but is finally very rugged ! This stage will foster a very interesting fight between the riders of a consequent breakaway and the sprinters from pack, that won't let go an occasion to win the stage, their last before the stage of the Champs-Elysées !
STAGE 19 : Figeac-Super-Lioran -191.5km
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The stage will be the last occasion for the leaders ! We could see a rider that has lost time try and go in a breakaway to take the yellow ! Behind, who will ride? The leaders will be exhausted by the previous stages, and a lot of climbers will try to seek a stage victory in the ski resort of Super-Lioran !
STAGE 20 : Saint-Flour-Saint-Etienne -223.5km
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The 20th stage of this Tour will be the longest of all ! But it's not sure that a leader will try to attack before the last difficulty and the sprinters will only bother about passing the finish line in time. A rider in the breakeway will probably win this stage.
STAGE 21 : Orsay-Paris -116km
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The traditional finale of the Tour de France, with a small relift : The two passages of the Montmartre climb, that is also paved. Another more difficulty that will maybe encourage attacks, and force the team of the Yellow Jersey to ride at front until the very end of the stage to avoid breaks or falls ! Finishing the last stage of this Tour will be well deserved this year !


ANALYSIS OF THIS TOUR
The 2019 Tour de France will go to a complete rider that has a strong team to help him. He isn't necessarly a great rouleur, since the number of TT kilometers is very low, and since there is a big part of them in mountain, where his climber capacities will be more important. He will have to be attentive until the very end of the race, and each stage could be a threat for him.

That's all for me, thanks for your time !
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by rober_vlc »

Sorry, what means MTF?
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Carlo33 »

rober_vlc wrote: 16/06/2019, 16:19 Sorry, what means MTF?
The finish is the mountain
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by emmea90 »

rober_vlc wrote: 16/06/2019, 16:19 Sorry, what means MTF?
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by jibvalverde »

Here is my Tour de France 2019 : maps/tours/view/11937

This Tour de France 2019 will be strongly focused on the East, with a North-South round trip. The first week will go from Belgium to the Pyrenees passing by the Massif Central while the second will take the direction, not necessarily the most direct, of the Alps. The last, meanwhile, go back to the Vosges with a detour in the Jura. The 5 Massifs used and a desire to keep a suspense as long as possible.

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If the first part of the stage seems like the original one with Grammont and Bosberg, it is even more difficult then with 13,4km of cobbles roads including the terrible Chemin du Hal and the Chemin du Crucifix, each more than 4km long ... Even if it will then remain more than 30km, the differences could be substantial.

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For the second stage, it is a team time that will take place, over a short distance to limit the gaps. The jersey could however change his shoulders.

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If the sprinters did not win the first day, they will have to wait because the final towards Epernay is much too hard for them with the rise of Champillon (4km at 4.6%) followed by côte of Pierry (800m to 11%) and of Ceinture (1km to 9.3%) in the last twenty kilometers. The jersey could still change his shoulders.

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This time, the sprinters should not miss the opportunity. The final is clearly conducive to a massive arrival, despite the slope (1km to 3%) just before the red flame.

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Bis repetita for the sprinters to whom the victory seems offered on a tray on the road of Vichy. But beware of the borders!

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First important day in the race for the final victory. If no one wins the Tour this day, some may lose it in the Massif Central with the Néronne-Peyrol-Perthus triptych.

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On the road to Toulouse, it is difficult to see the sprinters get trapped despite the start of a complicated stage.

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After a week of racing, it's finally time for the first mountain top finish and is unprecedented in the Tour de France. Everything will be played in the final sequence with the Col du Soulor (12km to 7.6%) and the climb to Couraduque (7km to 7.4%), already seen on the Route d'Occitanie 2016 with the success of Soler in front of Quintana and Carthy.

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Fifty years ago, Eddy Merckx signed one of the greatest victories of his career on the 1969 Tour, winning at Mourenx after a great breakaway. The organizers wished to pay homage to him by resuming in majority the stage of 1969, with Tourmalet, Aubisque by Soulor and Marie-Blanque. A great opportunity for climbers without ambitions pour yellow jersey.

REST DAY

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Beware of the mismanagement of the day of rest! Because the next day is terrible in the Cevennes. Between Montpellier and Millau, echoing the stage of the first victory of Merckx on French soil, the organizers are insured however is a beautiful stage with the Col du Minier (20km to 5%) but also the Montée Royale (5km 6 %) less than twenty kilometers from the finish.

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If the stage is not offered on a set, the sprinters should be able to play the win at Orange. Be careful, however, at the final climb (800m to 5.6%), narrow and winding. The placement will be paramount.

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For once, there will be no question of sprinting on the road to Sisteron but mountain. And what mountains! On this short stage (160km), the riders will have to climb Mont Ventoux, approached after 10km simply, then the Montagne de Lure (18km to 6%), whose summit will be 37km from the finish. What allow the favorites to go on the offensive.

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In spite of the reliefs and the numerous difficulties scattered on the course, the sprinters should dispute the victory in Grenoble, the final being favorable to them.

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What more beautiful entry into the Alps than arriving at the summit of Galibier? Especially that it will be this time by its most difficult slope, that of the Telegraph. Add to that the previous climbs of Luitel (11km to 7.8%) and Glandon (23.5km to 4.8%) and you have one of the best stages of this edition 2019 ...

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A big toboggan to finish the week. Between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the leaders will have everything they need to make war, starting with the ascent of the Madeleine, after ten kilometers. And it will not stop anymore. It will then cross the unprecedented Grand Navaes (1st cat) and Notre-Dames-des-Prés (1st cat) before picking up the Col de Montgirod (2nd cat) and switch to the finish. The queen stage on paper.

REST DAY

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Once again, the next day of rest promises to be terrible. With the Salève entry but especially the terrible Col de la Biche (1st cat) and Col du Grand Colombier (HC) in the last 70 kilometers of a stage still quite short, the fight promises to be intense.

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Despite a first part of stage without respite, it is difficult to see the stage escape from sprinters in Besançon.

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This is the only individual time trial of this Tour. Its 33km, hilly but favorable to strong riders, should create big differences with climbers and completely reshape the general classification.

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For its entry in the Vosges, the Tour will once again pay tribute to Eddy Merckx with an arrival at the Ballon d'Alsace, where the Belgian win for the first time in the Tour. But with the Col de Chevrères and the Ball of Servance before that, no question of limiting it to a CC.

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On the eve of the arrival on the Champs-Elysees, last chance for the favorites to reverse the Tour. A short stage (113.5km) but with two Hors-Category climbs. The riders will face twice the Grand Ballon, by two different slopes. The second, passing through Geishouse, is irregular as much as possible and multiplies the slopes ahead of 10%.

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This is the usual parade to the Champs-Elysées. Scarcely will one report the possible danger of Montmartre and its 3km paved, of which a part in descent. It is unlikely to lose the Tour, however. Otherwise, it will be the paradise of the sprinters, for those still in the race.
Last edited by jibvalverde on 25/06/2019, 17:54, edited 1 time in total.
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adriamedina
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by adriamedina »

This is my TDF: maps/tours/view/11939

Total Distance: 3460,55 km
6 high mountain stages (4 MTF), 7 medium mountain stages (2 MTF), 6 flat stages, 1 ITT (46,8 km) and 1 TTT (24,6km)
75 KOM Sprints: 9 HC, 19 1st cat., 24 2nd cat., 13 3rd cat., 10 4th cat.

Stage 1: Bruxelles - Bruxelles *
A massive sprint will determinate the first Maillot Jaune of this TDF. This route goes through Petit Enghien (village where Merckx win his first stage) and Woluwe-Saint Pierre (Brussels' district where he used to live).
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Stage 2: Bruxelles (Palais Royal) - Bruxelles (Atomium) **
We will say goodbye to Brussels with a long time trial which will provide us the first big time gaps between the favourites.
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Stage 3: Tielt-Winge. Meensel-Kiezegem - Charleville-Mézières **
Last stage in Belgium starting in the village that saw Eddy Merckx first steps (Meensel-Kiezegem). Four minor climbs will decide if today's winner will be a sprinter or a puncher.
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Stage 4: Sedan - Saint Avold *
Another flat stage which will be adjudicated to a sprinter.
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Stage 5: Pont-à-Mousson - Gérardmer. La Mauselaine ***
First big medium mountain stage which five 2nd cat. climbs and one ultrasteep 3rd category climb to watch who is feeling good enough to win this TDF.
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Stage 6: Gérardmer - Ballon d'Alsace ****
The favourites will face a heavy menu before arriving on the top of the Ballon d'Alsace, where Eddy won his first TDF stage.
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Stage 7: Belfort - Lons-le-Saunier *
Third sprint finish of the week which will separate the Vosgues with the Jura Mountains
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Stage 8: Saint-Claude - Divonne-les-Bains ****
The Jura stage will be marked by the steep and unknown Côte de Vesancy (5.0 Km at 10.2%) and the fast downhill to Divonne-les-Bains where Merckx won more than one stage in the TDF.
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Stage 9: Annecy - Annecy ITT *****
A long and difficult time trial in the beautiful city of Annecy will conclude the first week.
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REST DAY

Stage 10: Valence - Le Monastier sur Gazeille ***
First stage in the Massif Central with a mix of steep and short climbs and long climbs which will provide us amazing battle beetween the riders. A breakaway could win this stage.
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Stage 11: Le Puy en Velay - Le Lioran. Pas des Alpins ****
Harder than the previous one, this stage will settle who is the man to beat at this TDF. With the traditional Pas de Peyrol, Col du Perthus and Super Lioran 4 kms are added to watch more carnage.
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Stage 12: Aurillac - Cahors **
A puncher finish will decide the winner in Cahors but a little group sprint is not descarted.
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Stage 13: Montauban - Pau *
A sprinter will win in Pau after some stages of not having any chance.
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Stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères *****
Massive mountain stage to start the Pyrenees with a finish in Superbagnères after 30 years. A pure climber will be today's winner.
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Stage 15: Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille *****
Last stage in the Pyrenees with an easier ending in Plateau de Beille.
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REST DAY

Stage 16: Manosque - Barcelonnette **
Despite the denivel, terrain is not hard enough to eliminate the possibility of a sprint.
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Stage 17: Isola - Briançon *****
First Alpine stage with long and three +2000m KOMs. Riders will have to battle in the little climb to Briançon to win the stage. Eddy Merck also won one big mountain stage in Briançon with a similar route.
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Stage 18: Modane - La Mure *****
The queen stage of this TDF with some hard climbs like Telegraphe+Gabilier, Sarenne and the unknown Villard Notre Dâme in the first part of the stage which will provide us some spectacular riding. After that a softer climb (Col d'Ornon) take place to combine these brutal climbs with the steep climb of Col de Parquetout (6.7 Km at 10.0%) and the last 17kms with some small hills to decide the winner of the day.
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Stage 19: Bourg d'Oisans - Albertville ****
Last medium mountain of this TDF but it will taste like high mountain due to it's steep climbs and the harshness of the previous stages.
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Stage 20: Aigueblanche - Le Boulissoir. Pointe du Dzonfié *****
Last high mountain stage with less than 100 kms and unknown climbs as Col de le Sauget and Le Boulissoir this stage will be decide the Maillot Jaune.
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Stage 21: Versailles - Paris. Champs Elysées *
A sprinter stage starting from Versailles, to celebrate the century of the Treaty of Versailles, and finishing in the Champs Elysées will be the last ride of this TDF.
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I'd decided to innovate a little and, apart from inserting more medium mountain stages, I'd added a Bonification Sprint in every stage in an important point of the stage to watch more attacks.
Last edited by adriamedina on 19/06/2019, 15:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Comme
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Comme »

Here my first Tour de France maps/tours/view/11917

Stage 1 ITT Bruxelles Palais- Bruxelles Atomium 12.9 Km
Individual time trial will decide the first yellow jersey of this Tdf.

Stage 2 Bruxelles- Bruxelles Chateau de Laeken 186.04 Km
Flat stage. Some cobbles around Meensel Kiezegem, birth town of Eddy Mercky, but the stage is for the Sprinters

Stage 3 Gent- Geerardsbergen 173.95 Km
Medium Montain Stage. The third stage will be the first step for test the pretenders of the final winning. Oude kwaremont and Patenberg in the beginning of the stage that finish with a circuit close to the Binck Bank Tour last stage of the last two editions. Muur- Bosberg- Deenderoberg and Muur again at only 3 km to the finish line.


Stage 4 Lilla- Saint Omer Longuenesse 212.2 Km
Totally flat stage in France but long part on the windly coast of The Channel.

Stage 5 Aire sur Lys- Boulogne sul Mer 166.77 Km
Flat Stage with a hills circuit on the end. Stage for sprinters and pounchers with three hills in the end and the finish line up to a 0,5 Km at 7.78%

Stage 6 Albeville- L'Aigle 207.67 Km
Third stage for sprinters

Stage 7 Le Mans- Chateauroux 201.89 Km
Another stage totally flat for sprinters

Stage 8 Chateauroux- Clermond Ferrand Le Puy de Dome 221.14 Km
First uphill finish on the top of the vulcan of Puy de Dome. 13 Km at 7.71% on this hard climb will for sure show who cannot win the Tour

Stage 9 Clermond Ferrand- Brive la Gallarde 206 Km
Stage open to different solutions because the road is never flat.

Rest Day

Stage 10 Saint Symphoryen- Pau 198.63 Km
Difficult final part of the stage in the Pyrenees town of Pau. 4 Hill in the last 30 Km open the Race to someone that want to attack.

Stage 11 Mourenx- Luchon 221 Km
Long stage that will be a Eddy Merckx homage. It's a reverse truck of the famous stage that he won on the '69 Tdf .
Col d'Abisque,Col du Tourmalet and Col du Peyresourde before the downill finish in Bagneres de Luchon.

Stage 12 Luchon-Station de Gauzet Neige 153 Km
Short stage in Pyrenees with a uphill finish after 10 Km at 7.47%

Stage 13Tarascon sur Ariege- Forques 199 Km
Stage for a long attemp close those four days on Pyreenes

Stage 14 Perpignan-Lunel 197 Km
Sprinters will back on this flat stage but the wind can change the end of this stage

Stage 15 Nimes- Mont Ventoux 184 Km
Two uphills of Mont Ventoux, first from Malaucene side and then from the most famous Bedoin side.

Rest day

Stage 16 Lione-Frangy 202 Km
The Alpine phase opens with this nervous first stage. Grand Colombier and Col de la Biche comes before the downill to Frangy

Stage 17 Saint Julien en Genevois- Annecy 178 Km
The hard climb of Mont Semnoz and the next hard descent to Annecy will decide the winner of this stage

Stage 18 Annecy- Chambery 156 Km
The third Alpine stage has the climb of Mont du Chat at only 20 km to the end

Stage 19 Saint Pierre d'Albigny- Les Deux Alpes 204 km
Tappone. Alpine big stage. Col de la Croix de Fer- Col du Telegraphe.- Col du Galibier and the finish line on the town of Les Deux Alpes .

Stage 20 ITT Grenoble- Grenoble La Bastille 45 Km
45 Km of individual time trial, first part flat around Grenoble, then the climb of Col de la Cloche 6 Km at 7.34%. 20 km of downhill and city streets preceed the final arrive up to the Bastille, 1.5 Km at 15%.

Stage 21 Versailles- Paris Champs Elysee 107 Km
Nothing new.

Total distance 3640 Km
Last edited by Comme on 29/06/2019, 16:07, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Bocmanis82 »

Will you deduct points for unpractiable roads or finishes this year? Can I put MTFs in places where it is difficult/impossible for tdf to go?
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by rober_vlc »

This is my Tour.

maps/tours/view/12084

Eddy Merckx stage are second - sprint is the birthplace -, stage 5 Ballon d'Alsace - first stage he won and first maillot jaune -, stage 9 Merlin-Plage - first stage he won inTour of france 1975-, stage 12 - last stage he won in Tour of France -, stage 15 - last place where he was in podium as first - and stage 18 - last day in yellow.

Downhill final are very important in this Tour, being different at others Tours.

Medium mountain has a important rol in this Tour, being 20th stage like this but with a MTF as col d'Eze.
Last edited by rober_vlc on 23/06/2019, 18:13, edited 1 time in total.
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luigi.russo
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by luigi.russo »

Tour 2019 Contest - #Merckx50
maps/tours/view/6294

This Tour de France celebrates 50 years of first victory of Eddy Merckx (1969) and it was plotted for the forum contest.
The route wants to celebrate the phenomenal 1969 of the Cannibal, starting from Belgium and passing through the finish line of each stage victory (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Ballon d'Alsace, Divonne-les-Bains, Dignes-les-Bains, Mourenx, Revel, Paris) and through the finish line of Eddy's major victories preceding the Tour too (Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Paris-Nice).
Each of this milestones is celebrated with a Sprint, a KOM or an Intermediate indicated with #Merckx50.

I tracked the race trying to create unpredictable stages and to promote long range attacks without upsetting the traditional design. It's a Tour for all-rounder riders and there are a lot of long stages for total almost 3500km, so recovery and stamina will be key characteristics. I also tried to avoid the climbs present in the real 2019 Tour.
There are seven mountain stages (1 Vosges, 3 Alps. 3 Pirenees), they are demanding but various and organized in order to promote attacks in each of them. The time trials (total 70.54km plus 33.47km of TTT) will be decisive too and some medium mountain stages are very tricky. Anyway, stage hunters will have their chanche too, with at least 5 stages for sprinters distributed throughout the route and some medium mountain stage very favorable to escapes.

Saturday, July 6
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Grand Depart from Bruxelles: a Team Time Trial pretty much flat that passes through the main attractions of the city.
The peloton crosses the city center up to the #Merckx50 Intermediate of Woluwe Saint Pierre, where Eddy wore his first yellow jersey and won the TTT of the Tour '69. Then the riders passes again through the centre of the city, coming back on the same route in the opposite lane in a very scenic way, until the second intermediate and then continue to the finish line of the Chateau de Laeken in the Heysel Park.

Sunday, July 7
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The 2nd stage presents a tipical northern classic route with a significant lenght too: classic riders and resistant sprinters will play for the stage and the GC riders should be very vigilant.
After an easy start and a simple cobble sector in the city of Geraardsbergen (at the bottom of the Grammont), the stage presents most of the hardest climbs and sectors of the Tour of Flanders in the central part, notably the Oude Kwaremont and the Koppenberg.
In this phase, a lot KOMs point are assigned (enough to keep the jersey until first mountains) and someone will already have a significant gap after the TTT, so we should see some attacks. Moreover, the climb are very close and the streets very narrow, so the chase will be difficult if someone of the GC favourites loses ground.
After a flat route up to the #Merckx50 sprint of Ninove-Meerbeke (finish line of the Tour of Flanders '69 won by Eddy), in the last 50 km there are four cobbled sectors in the areas suround Bruxelles when the stage hunters can play their last chanches to avoid the sprint. The finish line is in front of the Atomium, after a gentle climb.

Monday, July 8
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The 3rd stage is a flat one for pure sprinters. The race starts in Louvain (Leuven in Flemish) and brings the peloton form the Flanders to the Wallonia.
The central part of stage reproposes the ending of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege '69, won by Eddy Merckx: the climb of Thier-a-Liège (very similar to the modern Ans) and the ride near the Rocourt Velodrome (now demolished), finish line of that classic and #Merckx50 Sprint of this stage. The last climb, in the middle of the stage, is the KOM in the city of Huy (easier than the famous Mur).
Then, after a passage in the city of Namur, the stage ends in Charleroi, the biggest city of the Wallonia, near to the French border.

Tuesday, July 9
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The 4th stage sees the come back in France and the first uphill ending, starting in Fourmies, famous for the omonimous Grand Prix.
Before last 20 km the route is flat, passing through areas famous for First World War battles, notably Sedan where there is a Sprint and Verdun where the stage ends, near the ruins of an important fortification used in that war, the Fort Douaumont.
In the ending there are two similar climbs near Verdun with a medium percentage of 3-4% and never over 6%. The second one ends on the finish lane: the bravest riders can try to attack on the first one, but the most probable ending is a selected group sprint with the victory of a puncher or a very resistant sprinter.

Wednesday, July 10
Image
The 5th stage connects the biggest cities of Lorrain and Alsace, Metz and Strasbourg. These two regions are separated from the Vosges, that are crossed in an easy way in the middle of the stage with the KOM of Hinsbourg and the Sprint of Petite Pierre, famous for a medieval castle. The stage is flat and short and pure sprinter will battle in the city center of Strasbourg, in a rest day fort the GC riders before the first mountains.

Thursday, July 11
Image
The 6th stage is the first mountain one, in the Vosges. The stage is difficult enough to see the true climbers battle for the first time and someone could pay the first mountain day, but it will difficult be decisive for the final classification.
The race starts in Strasbourg, in the front of the European Parlament. The first 70 km are flat, with the Sprint of Sèlestat.
In the central part there are 2nd category KOM, both very long and with sections in double cifre percentage in the middle so they will be very demanding even if far from the end. Then the shorter 3rd category Col de Bussang complicates the approach to the final climb, the Ballon d'Alsace. On this climb, Merckx toke his first Tour stage victory in the '69 and therefore the 2nd category KOM is a #Merckx50.
The climb presents sections at 15% in the beginning, ideal point for an attack, even because the riders had already faced more then 40 km of climbing. The remainder of the climb is more regular and the top is far less than 15 km from the finish, mostly a very fast descend up to Giromagny, in the Franche-Comté. This stage is between two easier, so who has accumulated gap in the first week can take advantage of this opportunity.

Friday, July 12
Image
The 7th stage is a medium mountain stage, with some easy climbs in the beginning and some difficult downhill in the end.
The stage starts in Belfort, at the base of the Vosges, and then faces two easy 3rd category climb approaching the Massif of Jura.
The central part is an easy sloping ground with the Sprint of Pontarlier, but in the last 35 km there is no flat until the flame rouge.
This stage can be a good chanche for the escapers, otherwise some brave downhillers can try to anticipate the peloton or a very chaotic sprint will take place in the city of Saint-Claude. The GC riders will probably have a day of rest between mountains and time trial but they have to stay vigilant in the insidious ending.

Saturday, July 13
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The 8th stage is the first Individual Time Trail, a long one starting end ending in Gex, on a plateau of the Jura mountains very close to the Swiss border and to Genève.
The stage starts with the climb of Vesancy: it's very short so it will not be favourable to the climber but it will make more complicated the choiche of the effort distribution. The riders then must be careful in the downhill that bring to Divonne-les-Bains, where Eddy Merckx won his first ITT and where is located the first Intermediate, indicated with #Merckx50.
The remaining 40 km are mostly flat, with a gentle sloping in the ending, and very favourable to the TT specialist.

Sunday, July 14
Image
The first week ends with a short mountain stages, the first in the Alps, with one of the hardest ending.
Starting from Bellegarde, the first 75 km are easy, with a long but easy KOM and a Sprint. Then there is the short but tough Côte de l'Eponnet.
After 100 km the true mountains start with the first HC of the race, the Joux Plane, then the fast downhill to Morzine and the final climb to the Station of Avoriaz.
The last two climbs are over 1500m, close and very demanding. The Joux Plane is the harder one with some traits at the 15%, but even Avoriaz has a kilometer in double digit in the middle, so it possible to attack on both of them. The ending of the final climb is regular so even not pure climbers can defend themselves.
The stage is short and came before the resting day, so GC riders can give everything. Moreover, it cames after a long and demanding ITT and who spent too much, will pay today.

Monday, July 15: Rest in Grenoble

Tuesday, July 16
Image
After the first rest day, the 10th stage starts still in the Alps but in the city of Grenoble after a short transfer to south, far from the higher peaks.
All the route is full of climb with a lot of KOM (9), but no one is too demanding. The stage is also very long (>220km) and has more then 4000m of denivel. It comes before one of the key stages, so some high level stage hunters will probably fight for the victory, with two key points.
The first is in the beginning, when the Côte du Crozet and the Col de la Festinière are though and very close and there will be a fight to enter the breakaway.
The second one will be the Col de Fontbelle in the ending, with three demanding kilometer near the top and then a fast downhill and the short Col de Peipin, last judge of the stage. The last 15 km sees a gentle downhill and a flat finish in Dignes-les-Bains. Different types of riders can play their chanche in such a final.

Wednesday, July 17
Image
The 11th stage is one of the key stages of the Tour, the longer one and the one with most denivel (more of 6000m). The climb are very long: two of them are over 2200m and the ending one just below 2000m. The stage comes after another long and mountainous one too, so it's very suitable to the most resistant GC riders.
The start of the stage runs backwards the ending of the first wins in the Alps of Eddy Merckx, when he attacked on the Col de Corobin (#Merckx50 KOM) and toke the victory in Dignes-les-Bains. This climb will select the breakaway.
After the Sprint, there are three KOM in ascending order of lenght, altitude and difficult: Col Saint Michel, Col d'Allos and the HC category Cime de la Bonette, highest peak of the race with the top at the excpetional altitude of 2776m.
There are some valley floor between each climb so a long range attack it's possible only if some teammates enterede the breakaway. Anyway, the exceptional lenght and denivel of the stage will be enough to create great time gaps in the final climb of Isola 2000, with a trait at 16% in the beginning and more of 14 km of regular climb up to the finish line.

Thursday, July 18
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The 12th stage is difficult to interpretate and can be divided into two parts: the first with Alpine climbs and the second hilly in the Côte d'Azur, passing very close to Monaco and ending in Nice.
It starts in Isola and presents soon two true climbs, both long and about 1500m. They are far from the finish line, but this stage comes after a very hard day. Whoever has a remarkable gap could then try a brave long range attack on the Col de Turini if there are some teammates in the breakaway, because the gregarious will be very tired and there is pratically no flat in the remainder route, so the chase will be very difficult.
Otherwise, there is a big chanche of attacks in the ending, when the stage approaches the sea and the route becomes scenic and very tricky while some riders will be exhausted: anyone of the last three climbs or downhill can be decisive to take the stage victory or to outdistance the GC rivals.
The very fast downhill after Col de la Coupière and the #Merckx50 KOM of the Col d'Eze need to be mentioned. This last climb is a classical key point of the Paris-Nice and so was in 1969 too, when Merckx won a stage ending there and even the GC.
After the top of the last climb, there are 3km of plateau, a complicated downhill and a flat finish on the promenade of Nice.

Friday, July 19
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The 13th stage is a big chanche for the sprinters after some day of mountains.
It starts again in Côte d'Azur, in Cannes, and the first 30km are near the sea with a 4th category climb to select the breakawy.
The remainder of the route runs in the inland of Provence, never really flat but without demanding climbs, with a transit in some turistical cities like Aix-en-Provence.
In the completely flat last 20 km the sptinters's teams could have the opportunity to catch the breakaway before the ending line in Cavaillon, near Avignon.

Saturday, July 20
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The 14th stage is the first of a weekend of medium mountain stages in the Massif Central and present an hilly ending.
The stage starts from the famous bridge of Avignon and the beginning is very flat.
The Col de la Chavade starts at 70km to the end. The climb is long, but it will only select the peloton because the route is very easy after the top.
After another short climb, the last 20 km presents a fast downhill and two 3rd category climb not too demanding but extremely close, with no flat until the finish line in Puy-en-Velay.
This is a very interesting ending where punchers or finisseurs can make a decisive move for the stage trying to evade from a reduced peloton or a previous breakaway.

Sunday, July 21
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The 15th stage starts again in Puy-en-Velay and it's a hilly one with a flat ending. It's not too long to facilitate the long transfer to Bayonne before the rest day.
The stage starts with a 3rd category climb where the breakaway will form, then the route is easy until the the last 40 km when it approcahces Clemont-Ferrand.
Three close Côte surrounding this city are faced, including the beginning of the most famous mountain in the Massif Central, the Puy-de-Dôme.
The top of the last climb it's 15km far from the finsih line in the city of Clemont-Ferrand, mostly downhill. The last kilometer has percentages between 2 and 4%.
The stage comes before a rest day and don't present very demanding climbs, but thery are close so GC riders must be very vigilant. There are a lot of possibilty for the stage hunter to attack, otherwise there will be a difficult sprint of a very restricted group.

Monday, July 22: Rest in Bayonne

Tuesday, July 23
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The 16th stage comes after the rest day in Bayonne and it's a short Pyrenaic stage with two extremely steep 1st category and other shorter climbs, never faced from the Tours, in the French Basque Country.
The beginning is quite flat, then a steep côte comes just before the first Pyrenaic 1rd category: the Col d'Elhursaro, with some traits over 20%. The final part of this climb is easier and there is also a plateau on top so probably the GC riders will wait the next climb, but some brave climber can go all in here, also because the stage is short and comes between a rest day and an easy stage.
After the downhill there is the col d'Errozate, even steeper than the previous one and frequently in double digit. On such a climb no one can hide anymore.
The remainder 20 km are easier but present short downhills and long traits in gentle ascending, so it's difficult to recover the previous violent effort and then time gaps can expand. The last climb of Col Bargagui presents a kilometer in double digit anyway.
The end is in the turistic village Chalets d'Iraty, after a transit in Forêt d'Iraty, a naturalistic attraction. All the road are asphalted, even if a little narrow in some point, but probably suitable for a cycling race after a quick check of Google Street View.

Wednesday, July 24
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The 17th stage is a big chanche for the sprinter set in the midlle of the Pyrenees but without mountains.
Just after the start in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, there are some very short climbs and downhill with also a two KOM.
In the middle, the #Merckx50 Sprint of Mourenx celebrates a great victory of the Cannibal in a Pyrenaic stage of the Tour '69.
After the Sprint, the last 70km rise gently but costantly up to the Sanctuary of Lourdes, an ending that could favor the most powerful sprinter.

Thursady, July 25
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The 18th stage is the first of a Pyreanic two-day where the climber must distance the cronomen before the ending stage. This particular one presents a lot of very close mountains in the last 120km and a downhill ending: an ideal set for a long range attack from whose wants or has to inflict great gaps. The stage is long too and has the second most total denivel with more than 5200m.
The climbs of the stage are some of the classic and more famours Pyrenaic climbs. The first and last one is the Col d'Aspin that will be decisive again with this route, even if it's not too demanding in the modern cycling.
After the first transit, where the peloton will thin out and some precious teammates can be sent in the breakaway, there is a long valley flor.
The ending sequence starts with the most demanding climb of the day, the HC category Port de Balès. Then, with no flat between, there are the Peyresourde (up to Balestas), the Col d'Azet and the Horquette, all three of them over 1500m, about 7% average and with double digit traits. The second and final climb to Col d'Aspen is easier so who wants to attack must move before. After the top of the last climb, there is a fast downhill, more gentle in ending part up to the finish line in the city of Arreau.

Friday, July 26
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The 19th stage is the last mountain stage, another demanding one, where difficulties are concentrated in the end.
The finish is on the top of the Port de Pailhères, faced many time by the Tour but stage finish for the first time.
In the stage presents only a long but easy 2nd category in the first 130 km.
Then there is a route to approach the last climb never used from the Tour: after a Sprint in Ax, there is the Col du Chioula, not faced since 2001, and the Col du Pradel, never faced in the Tour.
Pradel and Pailhères are separated only by a short and fast downhill: the stage ends with more than 20km cumulative of climbing and there are two double digit traits in the middle and near the end of Pailhères, last chanche to attack for the climbers.

Saturday, July 27
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The route of 20th stage is maybe the easier of the Tour, short and with no KOM.
In the middle of the stage, there is the #Merckx50 Sprint to celebrate another of the many stage victory of Eddy in the '69 Tour (but not the last one!), the time trail of Revel.
Anyway, after a demanding Tour, all the riders will be tired and there will be not so many sprinter still racing. The short route will help the escapers too, so the mass sprint finish is not sure.
The stage ends in Toulose and isn't a long one to favour a TGV transfer in Paris for the last stage.

Sunday, July 28
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The ending stage in Paris will be an Individual Time Trial as in the 1969, in another stage victory of Merckx, and the yellow jersey wearer can change until this last stage.
The route commemorates the fire of Notre-Dame with the #Merckx50 Intermediate.
Among the other attractions introduced in the circuit there are the Tour Eiffel (start of the stage) and Montmatre (with a scenic paved climb up to the Basilique that will assign the last KOM points).
The circuit of Champs Élysées is partially reproposed in the ending, with a first transit near the Arc du Triomphe with the last Intermediate, a passing through the Louvre and the classic finish line in Champs Élysées.
The route is not too long and there is a climb in the middle. It comes as last stage after a demanding Tour too, so the residual energy will be as relevant as time-trial attitude for GC riders.

Excuse me if I made some mistake in English,
It's the first time I made a whole Tour, hope you enjoy it!
Last edited by luigi.russo on 22/06/2019, 15:05, edited 1 time in total.
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Arnorius
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Re: Contest #3 - Tour de France 2019

Post by Arnorius »

maps/tours/view/11901
Spoiler!

Stage 1: Bruxelles - Palais > Bruxelles - Atomium
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The race starts with a TTT in Brussels. It follows mostly big roads, but I inserted a small cobbled hill to put get the rythm out.

Stage 2: Bruxelles > Bruxelles - Château de Laeken
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The second stage passes through the Flemish Ardennes, with some famous cobbled climbs in it. This should just be a bunch sprint, but there is also a small chance that the peleton splits and we get a reduced group to the finish.

Stage 3: Courtrai > Calais
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We enter France with a flat stage

Stage 4: Abbeville > Meudon
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The fourth stage brings the riders towards Paris. A hilly final with a finish we had in last year's Paris-Nice.

Stage 5: Étamples > Troyes
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A flat stage fort the sprinters

Stage 6: Troyes > Épinal
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Another flat stage fort the sprinters

Stage 7: Épinal > Ballon d'Alsace
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This stage in the Vosges is the first reference to Eddy Merckx. With a passage and finish on Ballon d'Alsace, where he won his first ever Tdf stage.

Stage 8: Montbéliard > Lons-le-Saunier
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A stage for the punchers, probably a breakaway that will stay in front.

Stage 9: Beaune > Thiers
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Again stage for punchers. The riders have to climb two walls in the last 10km. GC riders will have to be on their guard as there are a lot of small roads in the end.

Stage 10: Clermont-Ferrand > Panoramique Des Dômes
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The second reference to Merckx. This mountain ITT finishes at the bottom of the Puy the Dome, where he got his famous punch in 1975.

Rest day 1: Clermont-Ferrand
The first rest day is only after stage 10, just like in the real Tour this year.

Stage 11: Tulle > Montauban
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A flat stage that should result in another bunch sprint.

Stage 12: Auch > Les Chalets d'Iraty
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The first big mountain stage. With two 1st category climbs. Finish is in Les Chalets d'Iraty, on top of a quite steep climb.

Stage 13: Pau > Saint-Gaudens
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This could be the chance for someone who lost time in the time trials to try something.

Stage 14: Saint-Girons > Guzet-Neige - Prat Mataou
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This stage is a little bit shorter with finish on the ski station of Guzet Neige.

Stage 15: Limoux > Carcassonne
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Another ITT in this Tdf. I know 3 TT is much but it are three totally different TT's of +- 30 km. This one is almost totally flat.

Rest day 2: Carcassonne

Stage 16: Béziers > Saint-Martin-de-Crau
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This is a flat stage along the coast, probably a sprint but chances for echelons.

Stage 17: Le Castellet - Circuit Paul Ricard
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A hard stage, but the day before going to the Alps, this should be something for the attackers.

Stage 18: Digne-les-Bains > Barcelonette
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The fist stage in the alps is the last reference to Eddy Merckx. In this stage the Souvenir Eddy Merckx is awarded to the first rider on top in the Col des Champs. This because this climb has only been done once in Tdf history and Eddy Merckx was the first on top then. For the rest, this stage has three big climbs in it before having a long descend towards the finish in Barcelonette. I think this is a stage where long attacks are possible.

Stage 19: Briançon > Saint-François-Longchamp
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Another long stage in the alps. Lautaret and Croix de Fer are only the beginning, the real hardness in this stage is the duo-climb in the end. Via les lacets de Montvernier the riders climb the Col de Chaussy and after that immediately the Col de la Madeleine.

Stage 20: Albertville > Aime la Plagne
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The last mountain stage brings the riders to the ski area of Les trois Vallees neur Moutiers. After 3 climbs there riders go towards Col du Tra and finish on Aime la Plagne. The last HC climb of this tour.

Stage 21: Paris - Stade de France > Paris Champs-Elysees
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The last stage brings us through the touristic spots of Paris.
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