CONTENTS
Editorial | The lowdown | Stages | Five teams to watch | Fifteen riders to look for | Absurd odds | Predictions | Full entry list | Cycling media on Twitter | It was twenty years ago today... | 2011 Tour | Past winners | Records
EDITORIAL: Wherever you watch it, there's nothing like le Tour
It's hard to believe that here we are in late June and just days away from the Tour getting underway yet again. It all beings on Saturday with a prologue in Liège, Belgium and will result in 3,496.9 kilometers worth of racing that will take the riders back into France and on a clockwise route that will eventually spit them out on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Let me not be one to miss out on that annual cliche, that this Tour has the potential to be one of the greatest. They all say that, but this Tour really has at least got the potential to be so unpredictable.
What follows is an in depth preview of the 2012 Tour that I have been putting together over the last little while. Within is a look at the route, the individual stages, the top contending teams, the riders you're sure to see feature in one aspect or another throughout the race, some absurd odds, a list of all the starters and their Twitter handles, predictions for the race, a look back at last years race, a look back at the Tour twenty years ago as well as a list of all-time winners and other official records.
Yes, from June 30, my sporting world will revolve around Le Tour, and the best of every other sport will have to work very hard just to get a look-in. I'll watch it all -- or as much as time allows -- live or in highlights from the comfort of my armchair, with a tinge of jealousy that I am not out in France somewhere sitting outside a street side cafe in a small town waiting for the Tour to pass through. Or indeed, anywhere in France, as I was last year in Nice, watching from a pub as the race ambles through the beautiful countryside.
It's that countryside that we can enjoy even from our armchairs however. People often wonder how we can sit for hours watching the flat stages roll by, and usually it's something you cannot explain other than that you have to be a cycling fan, but one thing that anyone from passionate fan to passive once per year observer can enjoy is those aerial shots of rural France. The chateau's, the little towns, the rolling hills and whatever else you find yourself pinpointing as a place you'd quite like to visit sometime.
Le Tour de France is unlike any other sport. It is passion mixed with beauty, and it is suffering mixed with grace. It's an epic three week story that has a different chapter every day, with a new twist, turn, cliffhanger, controversy, incident, moment of madness, moment of exceptional performance, courage, sportsmanship, heartbreak, glory and out and out entertainment based on varying characters of different personalities. It is the finest sporting event in the World and anyone who goes along for the ride -- even if it is from their own living room -- won't be disappointed by the end of it.
Enjoy the preview...
THE LOWDOWN
Three weeks plus a day over 3,497 kilometers:
-- 9 flat stages
-- 4 medium mountain stages - 1 summit finish
-- 5 mountain stages - 2 summit finishes
-- 2 individual time-trials
-- 1 prologue
-- 1 rest day
-- 25 category two or higher mountain passes
-- 9 new stage towns (Abbeville, Annonay Davézieux, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, La Planche des Belles Filles, Peyragudes, Porrentruy, Samatan, Tomblaine, Visé).
STAGES
The 2012 Tour de France takes on a different profile than in recent editions of the race. Gone is the kind of race that favours the climbers first and foremost, and in comes a race that should be more open to more contenders than for many a year. With 101.1 kilometers of time-trialing -- 35.6kms more than last years race -- there is that added incentive to gain time, or not lose it, against the clock. But it's not just the men who are very quick against the clock who will benefit. People will tell you there's less climbing this year, but that's not technically true. There are less big mountain passes and less summit finishes, but there are actually more stages with climbing in them from which an aggressive proactive contender can win.
Below is a breakdown of each stage:
Prologue -- June 30: Liège to Liège, 6.1 km (4.0 mi)
Stage 1 -- July 1: Liège to Seraing, 198 km (123 mi) Stage 2 -- July 2: Visé to Tournai, 207 km (129 mi)
Stage 3 -- July 3: Orchies to Boulogne-sur-Mer, 197 km (122 mi) Stage 4 -- July 4: Abbeville to Rouen, 214.5 km (133.3 mi) Stage 5 -- July 5: Rouen to Saint-Quentin, 196 .5 km (122 mi) Stage 6 -- July 6: Épernay to Metz, 207.5 km (128.9 mi) Stage 7 -- July 7: Tomblaine to La Planche des Belles Filles, 199 km (123.7 mi) Stage 8 -- July 8: Belfort to Porrentruy, 157.5 km (97.9 mi) Stage 9 -- July 9: Arc-et-Senans to Besançon, 41.5 km (25.8 mi)REST DAY
Stage 10 -- July 11: Mâcon to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, 194.5 km (120.9 mi) Stage 11 -- July 12: Albertville to Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire/Les Sybelles, 148 km (92 mi) Stage 12 -- July 13: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay/Davézieux, 226 km (140.4 mi) Stage 13 -- July 14: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Cap d'Agde, 217 km (134.8 mi) Stage 14 -- July 15: Limoux to Foix, 191 km (118.7 mi) Stage 15 -- July 16: Samatan to Pau, 158.5 km (98.5 mi)REST DAY
Stage 16 -- July 18: Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon, 197 km (122.4 mi) Stage 17 -- July 19: Bagnères-de-Luchon to Peyragudes, 143.5 km (89.2 mi) Stage 18 -- July 20: Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde, 222.5 km (138.3 mi) Stage 19 -- July 21: Bonneval to Chartres, 53.5 km (33.2 mi) Stage 20 -- July 22: Rambouillet to Paris (Champs-Élysées), 120 km (74.6 mi)FIVE TEAMS TO WATCH
A look at five teams you are sure to see a lot of in one capacity or another over the course of the three week race
BMC RACING TEAMWhen they signed Thor Hushovd and Philippe Gilbert to go with Cadel Evans, BMC thought they were ticking all the boxes of being a 'super-team'. Evans could win Grand Tours, Philippe Gilbert the spring classics and Hushovd a number of stage races. Well, Hushovd won't be riding the 2012 Tour, Gilbert has lost his incredible 2011 form and all-in-all it's been quite a disappointing season for them. So roll on the Tour as the team turns to Evans in the hopes he can retain his title by winning a second straight Tour de France. Of course, you can't count out Gilbert or a number of others on the team from winning an individual stage or two, and how about George Hincapie, riding in his 17th Tour breaking the all-time record and surely looking to sign off in style.
Twitter @BMCProTeam
EUROPCAR
The team from which the winner of the combativity prize is almost sure to arise. You'll see them everyday in at least one break and they should eventually be rewarded for it. Thomas Voeckler was the huge surprise of the 2011 Tour, though after showing how he could climb with the best of them to the point of almost winning the tour, he won't get the rope he got then when he tries to attack now. Still, the route could be suited to him, or more so, to his young team-mate Pierre Rolland, who finished 10th last year and who has the makings of a GC contender in time.
Twitter @TeamEuropcar_en
GARMIN-BARRACUDA
A team absolutely loaded with talent. In Ryder Hesjedal they have a man who has now proven he can win a Grand Tour, but also have the likes of Tom Danielson and Christian Vande Velde to either lend elite domestique type support to the Canadian, or step up should he prove to have nothing left after that Giro win. Dan Martin can also consider himself a top 20 rider, Tyler Farrar and Robbie Hunter can win sprint stages, while David Zabriskie will be a favorite in the three time-trials. Then with Millar and Vansummeren you have men who will be involved in plenty of breaks. Garmin will win the team prize.
Twitter @Ride_Argyle
RADIOSHACK-NISSAN-TREK
RadioSchleck, as they have become known, have had two pieces of bad news this past year. Firstly the 2012 route was unveiled to show more time-trialing that the Schleck boys might have liked, then Andy Schleck picked up an injury earlier this month that will keep him out of the Tour and put the pressure to perform onto the shoulders of his brother Frank, and to some degree, on the Andreas Kloden as well. It's hard to see either actually winning the Tour though stage wins are not out of the question, likewise for almost everyone else on the team. They should be active throughout and Fabian Cancellara will be an odds on favourite to win the opening prologue in Liège.
Twitter @RSNT
SKY
One of the strongest lineups in the Tour from top to bottom they have the bookies favourite to win the Yellow jersey in Bradley Wiggins, and the Green jersey in Mark Cavendish. How they will manage both riders charge for glory will be one of the most interesting stories of the tour though the lineup suggests most weight is behind Wiggins with Bernhard Eisel alone being set aside for Cavendish. Edvald Boasson Hagen will win a stage ,or two, or three, while men like Chris Froome (more than capable to step in should Wiggins falter), Christian Knees, Richie Porte and Michael Rogers will be of an invaluable help to Wiggins in the big mountains.
Twitter @TeamSky
FIFTEEN RIDERS TO LOOK FOR
A look at some of the men who will be making headlines at this Tour
CADEL EVANS (BMC)
Age 35, From Australia Twitter @cadelofficial
Experience in stages 147
History 8th 2005, 4th 2006, 2nd 2007, 2nd 2008, 30th 2009, 26th 2010, 1st 2011.
2011 1st by 1'34", One stage win.
Thoughts The defending champion will feel this route with its added time-trialing is even more suited to his abilities and gives him a glorious chance to repeat after waiting so long for the first one. Should he win, he would become the second oldest man in history to win the Tour de France, so make of that what you will for his chances.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 4, Sprinting 2, Experience 5, Team support 4. OVERALL 19/25 -- 76%
Prediction 1st, stage win
BRAD WIGGINS (Sky)
Age 32, From England Twitter @bradwiggins
Experience in stages 86
History 124th 2006, DNF 2007, 4th 2009, 24th 2010, DNF 2011.
2011 DNF
The idea a Brit would be contending for the Tour de France even five years ago was inconceivable yet here we are and Brad Wiggins is one of the bookies favorites. In 2009 he proved he had the potential but he had a poor 2010 and crashed out in 2011. This year however his planning his been meticulous as everything is being poured into Tour glory. At 32 his time is now.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 5, Sprinting 2, Experience 3, Team support 5. OVERALL 19/25 -- 76%
Prediction 2nd, one time-trial victory
JOHNNY HOOGERLAND (Vacansoleil-DCM)
Age 29, From Netherlands Twitter @zeeuwseleeuw
Experience in stages 21
History 74th in 2011
2011 74th at 2hrs 11'51", Held KoM jersey on five days, won combativity prize on stage 9.
Thoughts Hoogerland won't win the Tour. He won't come close. But what he will do is get in frequent attacks, he'll make a spirited run at the polka-dot jersey and he'll be as entertaining as they come over the three weeks. He shot to fame with his infamous crash last year and quickly became a fan favorite.
Rating Climbing 2, Time-trialing 2, Sprinting 2, Experience 2, Team support 2. OVERALL 10/25 -- 40%
Prediction Most aggressive rider, stage win, 3rd in KoM.
PETER SAGAN (Liquigas-Cannondale)
Age 22, From Slovakia Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 0
History None
2011 Will be a rookie in 2012.
Thoughts Sagan has been in superb form in 2012 and at 22 is proving himself to be one of the most talented young cyclists in the sport. He won 5 stages at the Tour of California and 4 at the Tour of Switzerland including a time-trial. Mark Cavendish may still be the man to beat in a bunch gallop, but Sagan has the speed to potentially surprise him. Expect to see him fair well on the rolling hills as well, appearing in a break or two.
Rating Climbing 2, Time-trialing 3, Sprinting 5, Experience 1, Team support 3. OVERALL 14/25 -- 56%
Prediction Two stage wins, 2nd in Points jersey
SAMUEL SANCHEZ (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
Age 34, From Spain Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 83
History DNF 2002, DNF 2003, 6th 2008, 3rd 2010, 5th 2011
2011 5th at 4'55", Won KoM jersey, 1st in stage 12.
Thoughts A podium spot in 2010 and a fifth place finish last year have more than shown Sanchez's capabilities in a grand tour. When the roads start to point upward the Spaniard is usually in the mix. His time-trialing lets him down and that could be a problem this year, but there are enough big climbs for him to draw back time on rivals. Expect him to win a stage, and don't be surprised to see him win the Mountains classification.
Rating Climbing 5, Time-trialing 2, Sprinting 2, Experience 4, Team support 3. OVERALL 16/25 -- 64%
Prediction 6th, stage win, 2nd in KoM
ALEJANDRO VALVERDE (Movistar)
Age 32, From Spain Twitter @alejanvalverde
Experience in stages 57
History DNF 2005, DNF 2006, 6th 2007, 9th 2008.
2011 Did not ride.
Thoughts The forgotten man of Grand tours, Valverde has spent time on the sidelines of late, suspended for alleged doping. He returned this year in tears at his stage win at the Tour Down Under along with a second place finish and followed it up with a 3rd overall and stage win at Paris-Nice. The Spaniard hasn't rode a Tour de France since 1998 and no Grand tour since winning the Vuelta in 2009, but at 32 he's still in his prime and is flying nicely under the radar into this Tour.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 3, Sprinting 3, Experience 4, Team support 4. OVERALL 18/25 -- 72%
Prediction 9th, stage win (or two)
FRANK SCHLECK (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek)
Age 32, From Luxembourg Twitter @schleckfrank
Experience in stages 108
History 10th 2006, 17th 2007, 5th 2008, 5th 2009, DNF 2010, 3rd 2011.
2011 3rd at 2'30", 2nd in stage 18.
Thoughts The big question is how he'll do without his brother? But the probable answer is, just fine. Schleck has rode the Tour and won a stage without Andy by his side before, and if anything this might loosen the reigns a little. The long time-trials will cost him a lot of time and may force him to focus on a stage win and maybe a shot at the Mountains jersey, but don't rule him out entirely.
Rating Climbing 5, Time-trialing 1, Sprinting 1, Experience 4, Team support 4. OVERALL 15/25 -- 60%
Prediction 8th, KoM winner, stage win
PIERRE ROLLAND (Europcar)
Age 25, From France Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 63
History 21st 2009, 58th 2010, 10th 2011
2011 10th at 10'43", 1st in young rider competition, 1st in stage 19.
Thoughts Pierre Rolland broke onto the scene a year ago winning on Alp d'Huez and winning the young riders White jersey, but it's easy to forget that he was around for two Tours before that and that this will be his forth. At just 25 he has a wealth of talent and the right amount of experience to boot. He lost himself a couple of overall places last year by loyally helping Thomas Voeckler out when he began to struggle, but this year may have more opportunities to assert himself. He's certainly Frances big hope for the future to finally win their first Tour since Hinault.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 3, Sprinting 1, Experience 1, Team support 2. OVERALL 11/25 -- 44%
Prediction 7th
RYDER HESJEDAL (Garmin-Barracuda)
Age 31, From Canada Twitter @ryder_hesjedal
Experience in stages 84
History 47th 2008, 49th 2009, 6th 2010, 18th 2011.
2011 17th at 27'14", 1st in stage two team-time-trial.
No man has won the Giro and Tour in the same year since Marco Pantani in 1998, and no man legitimately (I reckon) since Thoughts Indurain in 1992 and we all seen what it did to Alberto Contador last year, so the odds are stacked against Hesjedal. Still, the Canadian will really suit this Tour route and has disappeared from the spotlight since winning the Giro earlier this month. People may say he's here for the miles with his true focus on the 2013 Tour, but don't rule out entirely him giving it a real go this time out. At 66/1 he's worth a punt.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 4, Sprinting 2, Experience 4, Team support 5. OVERALL 20/25 -- 76%
Prediction 3rd
MARK CAVENDISH (Sky)
Age 27, From Isle of Man Twitter @MarkCavendish
Experience in stages 86
History 131st 2009, 154th 2010, 129th 2011.
2011 129th at 3hr 15'05", Green jersey competition win, 5 stage wins.
Thoughts If the route is flat and if the bunch comes together with 5kms to go you can almost stake your mortgage that Cavendish will win the stage. That is baring a crash or the true arrival of Peter Sagan, but either way the World Champion is still the fastest man in the World and the one they have to beat. Of those 86 stages he's competed in, he's won 20 of them for a 23% hit rate. A staggering statistic. Expect at least a few more stage wins this year and a good run at the Green jersey.
Rating Climbing 1, Time-trialing 2, Sprinting 5, Experience 4, Team support 5. OVERALL 17/25 -- 68%
Prediction Three stage wins, Points winner
JURGEN VAN DEN BROECK (Lotto-Belisol)
Age 29, From Belgium Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 50
History 15th 2009, 4th 2010, DNF 2011
2011 DNF.
Thoughts The Belgian is coming into his prime at 29 and despite crashing out last year showed with a 4th place finish in 2010 just how good he can be. He'll be dangerous in the hills and will be the hope of all of Belgium to win their first tour since Lucien Van Impe in 1976 and Eddy Merckx two years before that. I'm not sure he can quite go far enough to win it but will certainly be in the mix for a podium placing.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 4, Sprinting 1, Experience 3, Team support 3. OVERALL 15/25 -- 60%
Prediction 4th
DENNIS MENCHOV (Katusha)
Age 34, From Russia Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 198
History 47th 2001, 93rd 2002, 11th 2003, DNF 2004, 85th 2005, 5th 2006, DNF 2007, 3rd 2008, 51st 2009, 2nd 2010.
2011 Did not take part.
Thoughts Was unfairly, I felt, left out last year after a second place finish in 2010, but is back this year and looking to finally go the next step after also finishing on the podium back in 2008. Menchov however can be hit and miss. Either side of those podium finishes he had a DNF in 2007 and came 51st in 2009. Maybe that's why they left him out in 2011 and with this being an even year perhaps Katusha feel he can get back into the mix. The route suits him nicely.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 4, Sprinting 1, Experience 5, Team support 3. OVERALL 17/25 -- 68%
Prediction 5th
TONY MARTIN (Omega Pharma - Quick Step)
Age 27, From Germany Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 63
History 35th 2009, 137th 2010, 43rd 2011
2011 43rd at 1hr 30'56", 1st in stage 20 time-trial.
Thoughts Martin has arguably surpassed Fabian Cancellara now as the worlds best time-trialist and that should suit him well with two long time-trials plus a prologue in this Tour. It should see him win at least one stage and if he can climb as well as he has shown glimpses of in the past he could well be on for a top ten finish. Saying that, there has been high hopes for him before but his GC placing has disappointed though at 27 has his best years still in front of him.
Rating Climbing 3, Time-trialing 5, Sprinting 2, Experience 3, Team support 3. OVERALL 16/25 -- 64%
Prediction 10th, one time-trial victory
PHILIPPE GILBERT (BMC)
Age 29, From Belgium Twitter @phil_gilbert1
Experience in stages 99
History 70th 2005, 109th 2006, DNF 2007, 112th 2008, 37th 2011.
2011 37th at 1hr 14'51", Wore Yellow jersey for one day, 1st in stage 1
Thoughts Last year Gilbert was untouchable in the spring classics and even picked up a stage win and a day in Yellow at the Tour. He's been far quieter this year and whether that is down to a lack of form or changing his style to be more suited to the Tour de France is something we'll find out over the next month. He's a big favorite to win at least one stage however and will be one of Cavendish's biggest threats for the Points jersey.
Rating Climbing 3, Time-trialing 3, Sprinting 4, Experience 4, Team support 4. OVERALL 18/25 -- 72%
Prediction Top 20, 3rd in Points jersey, two stage wins
THOMAS VOECKLER (Europcar)
Age 33, From France Twitter n/a
Experience in stages 188
History 119th 2003, 18th 2004, 124th 2005, 88th 2006, 66th in 2007, 97th 2008, 67th 2009, 76th 2010, 4th 2011.
2011 4th at 3'20", wore Yellow jersey for 10 stages.
Thoughts Thomas Voeckler was the man of the 2011 Tour regardless of the fact he didn't finish on the podium. He got into a break earlier in the Tour and gained enough time to take the Yellow jersey. He then spent the Tour fighting tooth and nail, going through absurd levels of pain to retain his jersey as the hard mountains came and went. With only a handful left he finally cracked after threatening to become the first French winner of the Tour since Bernard Hinault in the mid 80's. He'll of course fancy his chances to go as good again in 2011 but the problem for him, as was the problem for Oscar Pierero following 2006, is that he'll be marked man and not allowed to go on a break because he's 'just a domestique who won't threaten the big boys come the mountains.' Still, with Voeckler in the Tour, no day will be a dull one.
Rating Climbing 4, Time-trialing 2, Sprinting 2, Experience 5, Team support 4. OVERALL 16/25 -- 64%
Prediction Top 15, maybe top 10, but marked to much from the early going to repeat 2011
ABSURD ODDS
150-1 Mark Cavendish to win a stage and declare that "This win would still have been possible without the help of my team-mates. The team is built around Wiggo, so everything I have done here today is courtesy of Mark Cavendish."
2-1 Legendary commentator, Phil Liggett, to utter the words "The elastic has snapped" as the pace is set up a tough climb followed shortly thereafter by his side-kick Paul Sherwin claiming that a particular cyclist who is struggling is "digging deep into his suitcase of courage".
800-1 USADA's bank account grows by several million dollars, but they deny a link between this and dropping of the Lance Armstrong case just in time for the American to sign up for RadioShack in place of Andy Schleck, showing up to the shock of everyone on the prologue ramp in Liège
50-1 Riders declare 2012 the 'throwback tour' by discarding their race radio's, climbing onto old steel bikes and slinging inner tubes over their shoulders. All this leads to Brad Wiggins frame snapping on a high mountain stage resulting in him hiking to the nearest town to weld it back together before progressing onto the finish still ahead of Mark Cavendish.
5-1 Angry at how the bunch dared to continue riding fast after Frank Schleck had punctured forces Peloton boss, and Schleck's team-mate, Fabian Cancellara to slow down and neutralize the stage only for Thomas Voeckler to stick two fingers up to that racing ahead and taking the Yellow jersey by ten minutes.
PREDICTIONS
Overall
1. Cadel Evans
2. Brad Wiggins
3. Ryder Hesjedal
4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck
5. Dennis Menchov
6. Samuel Sanchez
7. Pierre Rolland
8. Frank Schleck
9. Alejandro Valverde
10. Tony Martin
Points 1. Mark Cavendish, 2. Peter Sagan, 3. Philippe Gilbert
Mountains 1. Frank Schleck, 2. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, 3. Samuel Sanchez
FULL ENTRY LIST
BMC Racing (USA) — @BMCProTeam
Marcus Burghardt (Ger) — @MBurghardt83
Steve Cummings (GBr) — @StevoCummings
Cadel Evans (Aus) — @cadelofficial
Philippe Gilbert (Bel) — @phil_gilbert1
George Hincapie (USA) — @ghincapie
Amael Moinard (Fra) — @amaelmoinard
Manuel Quinziato (Ita) — @manuelquinziato
Michael Schar (Swi) — @michaelschaer
Tejay van Garderen (USA)
RadioShack-Nissan (Luxembourg) — @RSNT
Fabian Cancellara (Swi) — @f_cancellara
Tony Gallopin (Fra) — @tonygallopin
Chris Horner (USA) — @hornerakg
Andreas Klöden (Ger) — @andykloedi
Maxime Monfort (Bel) — @maxmonfort
Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
Frank Schleck (Lux) — @schleckfrank
Jens Voigt (Ger) — @thejensie
Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) — @hzubeldia
Europcar (France) — @TeamEuropcar_en
Thomas Voeckler (Fra)
Pierre Rolland (Fra)
Christophe Kern (Fra)
Cyril Gautier (Fra)
Giovanni Bernaudeau (Fra)
Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) — @YukiyaArashiro
Yohann Gène (Fra)
Vincent Jérôme (Fra)
Davide Malacarne (Ita)
Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain) — @EuskaltelEuskad
Mikel Astarloza (Spa) — @mikelastarloza
Jorge Azanza (Spa) — @AzanzaJorge
Gorka Izaguirre (Spa)
Egoi Martinez (Spa)
Ruben Perez (Spa) — @rubenperez1981
Samuel Sanchez (Spa)
Amets Txurruka (Spa)
Pablo Urtasun (Spa)
Gorka Verdugo (Spa)
Lampre-ISD (Italy) — @teamlampre
Grega Bole (Slo) — @bolegrega
Danilo Hondo (Ger)
Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr)
Matthew Lloyd (Aus)
Marco Marzano (Ita)
Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
Michele Scarponi (Ita) — @MicheleScarponi
Simone Stortoni (Ita)
Davide Viganò (Ita)
Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy) — @Liquigas_Cdale
Ivan Basso (Ita) — @ivanbasso
Federico Canuti (Ita)
Kristijan Koren (Slo)
Dominique Nerz (Ger)
Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) — @VincenzoNibali
Daniel Oss (Ita) — @Daniel87Oss
Peter Sagan (Svk)
Sylvester Szmyd (Pol)
Alessandro Vanotti (Ita)
Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda (USA) — @Ride_Argyle
Tom Danielson (USA) — @tomdanielson
Tyler Farrar (USA)
Ryder Hesjedal (Can) — @ryder_hesjedal
Robbie Hunter (RSA) — @RobbieHunter
Dan Martin (Irl) — DanMartin86
David Millar (GBr) — @millarmind
Christian Vande Velde (USA) — @ChristianVDV
Johan Vansummeren (Bel)
David Zabriskie (USA) — @dzabriskie
Ag2r La Mondiale (France) — @Ag2rLaMondialec
Maxime Bouet (Fra)
Mickael Cherel (Fra) — @mikaelcherel
Hubert Dupont (Fra)
Blel Kadri (Fra)
Sebastien Minard (Fra)
Lloyd Mondory (Fra)
Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra)
Christophe Riblon (Fra)
Nicolas Roche (Irl) — @nicholasroche
Cofidis (France) — @TeamCOFIDIS
David Moncoutié (Fra)
Rein Taaramae (Est)
Remi Di Grégorio (Fra)
Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) — @SamuelDumoulin
Nicolas Edet (Fra)
Julien Fouchard (Fra)
Jan Ghyselinck (Bel) — @JanGhyselinck
Luis Angel Mate (Spa) — @luisangelmate
Romain Zingle (Bel)
Omega Pharma-QuickStep (Belgium) — @opqscyclingteam
Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) — @chavanelsylvain
Dries Devenyns (Bel) — @3sdevenyns
Kevin De Weert (Bel)
Bert Grabsch (Ger) — @BertGrabsch
Levi Leipheimer (USA) — @LeviLeipheimer
Tony Martin (Ger)
Jerome Pineau (Fra) — @jejeroule44
Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) — @vdbstijncycling
Peter Velits (Svk) — @petervelits
Saur-Sojasun (France) — @TeamSaurSojasun
Jerome Coppel (Fra)
Anthony Delaplace (Fra)
Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) — @JimmyEngoulvent
Brice Feillu (Fra)
Fabrice Jeandesboz (Fra)
Cyril Lemoine (Fra)
Guillaume Levarlet (Fra)
Jean-Marc Marino (Fra)
Julien Simon (Fra)
FDJ-BigMat (France) — @EquipeFDJ
Sandy Casar (Fra)
Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra)
Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) — @hutarovich
Matthieu Ladagnou(Fra)
Cedric Pineau (Fra)
Thibaut Pinot (Fra) — @ThibautPinot
Anthony Roux (Fra)
Jeremy Roy (Fra) — @jeremyroy
Arthur Vichot (Fra)
Lotto-Belisol (Belgium) — @Lotto_Belisol
Lars Bak (Den)
Francis De Greef (Bel)
Andre Greipel (Ger) — @AndreGreipel
Adam Hansen (Aus) — @HansenAdam
Greg Henderson (NZl) — @Greghenderson1
Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) — @jurgenroelandts
Marcel Sieberg (Ger) — @MarcelSieberg
Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel)
Jelle Vanendert (Bel) — @VanendertJelle
Vacansoleil-DCM (Netherlands) — @VacansoleilDCM
Kris Boeckmans (Bel) — @krisboeckmans
Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) — @zeeuwseleeuw
Gustav Larsson (Swe) — @GustavVeronica
Marco Marcato (Ita) — @MarcatoMarco
Wout Poels (Ned) — @WoutPoels
Rob Ruijgh (Ned) — @RobRuijgh
Lieuwe Westra (Ned) — @lieuwewestra
Rafael Valls (Spa)
Kenny Van Hummel (Ned) — @KennyvanHummel
Katusha (Russia) — @katushacycling
Giampaolo Caruso (Ita)
Oscar Freire (Spa)
Vladimir Gusev (Rus)
Joan Horrach (Spa) — @JoanHorrach
Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr)
Denis Menchov (Rus)
Luca Paolini (Ita)
Yuriy Trofimov (Rus)
Eduard Vorganov (Rus)
Sky (Great Britain) — @TeamSky
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) — @EdvaldCycling
Mark Cavendish (GBr) — @MarkCavendish
Bernhard Eisel (Aut)
Chris Froome (GBr) — @chrisfroome
Christian Knees (Ger) — @ChristianKnees
Richie Porte (Aus) — @richie_porte
Michael Rogers (Aus) — @mickrogers
Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr)
Bradley Wiggins (GBr) — @bradwiggins
Rabobank (Netherlands) — @RaboCycling
Robert Gesink (Ned) — @RGUpdate
Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) — @s_kruijswijk
Bauke Mollema (Ned) — @BaukeMollema
Mark Renshaw (Aus) — @Mark_Renshaw
Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) — @LLeonSanchez
Bram Tankink (Ned) — @bramtankink
Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) — @laurenstendam
Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) — @mtjallingii
Maarten Wynants (Bel) — @wynants82
Movistar (Spain) — @Movistar_Team
Alejandro Valverde (Spa) — @alejanvalverde
Juan Jose Cobo (Spa)
José Joaquín Rojas (Spa) — @jjrojillas
Rubén Plaza (Spa)
Vasil Kiryienka (Blr)
Iván Gutiérrez (Spa) — @Ivangutipal
Imanol Erviti (Spa) — @ImanolErviti
Vladimir Karpets (Rus)
Rui Costa (Por) — @RuiCostaCyclist
Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank (Denmark)
Juan Jose Haedo (Arg)
Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) — @J_Cantwell
Nick Nuyens (Bel)
Chris Anker Sorensen (Den)
Nicki Sorensen (Den)
Michael Mørkøv (Den) — @MichaelMorkov
Anders Lund (Den)
Karsten Kroon (Ned) — @KarstenKroon
Sergio Paulinho (Por) — @sergiompaulinho
Astana (Kazakhstan) — @AstanaTeam
Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz)
Jani Brajkovic (Slo) — @janibrajkovic
Borut Bozic (Slo) — @BorutBozic
Dmitry Fofonov (Kaz)
Andriy Grivko (Ukr)
Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz)
Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz)
Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) — @FredrikKess
Robert Kiserlovski (Cro)
Orica-GreenEdge (Australia) — @Orica_GreenEDGE
Michael Albasini (Swi)
Baden Cooke (Aus) — @badencooke
Simon Gerrans (Aus) — @simongerrans
Matt Goss (Aus) — @mattgoss1986
Daryl Impey (RSA) — @darylimpey
Brett Lancaster (Aus) — @bdlancaster
Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) — @sebaslangeveld
Stuart O'Grady (Aus) — @StueyOG
Pieter Weening (Ned) — @PieterWeening
Argos-Shimano (Netherlands) — @Argos-Shimano
Johannes Frohlinger (Ger)
Patrick Gretsch (Ger) — @patrickgretsch
Marcel Kittel (Ger) — @marcelkittel
Yann Huguet (Fra)
Matthieu Sprick (Fra)
Tom Veelers (Ned) — @tom_veelers
Koen de Kort (Ned) — @koendekort
Albert Timmer (Ned)
Roy Curvers (Ned)
CYCLING MEDIA ON TWITTER
Select media outlets and journalists worth following over the course of the 2012 Tour
Cycling Weekly — @cyclingweekly
Cycling News — @Cyclingnewsfeed
Velo News — @velonews
ITV Cycling — @itvcycling
Daniel Benson — @dnlbensonWilliam Fotheringham — @willfothDavid Harmon — @spokesmenAndrew Hood — @EuroHoodyPhil Liggett — @PhilLiggettBlazing Saddles — @saddleblazePaul Sherwen — @PaulSherwenJohn Wilcockson — @johnwilcockson
For a full list of cycling related folk on Twitter, from current pros to former pros, from journalists to photographers to teams, click here
IT WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY...
The following is an extract from a feature I've been running called Le Tour en Review which looks back at past Tours de France with a story of the tour, what it meant in retrospect, facts, stats, notes on cyclists arriving on the scene and departing it, as well as what was making the news and pop cultural at the time
1992 Tour de France
The 1992 Tour de France started in Spain. San Sebastien, Spain to be precise with a 8 km prologue which was won by defending champion, Miguel Indurain. He beat Tour rookie, the highly touted, Alex Zulle into second with Thierry Marie who failed to complete the hat trick of prologues, finishing third. Zulle made the most of time bonus’ on the second stage to snatch the Yellow for himself, though it wouldn’t last.
The race wasted no time getting into the kind of hills that separate the big boys from the rest when on stage two Javier Murguialday won by three seconds over another highly routed rookie, Richard Virenque. Other pre-race favourites, Gianni Bugno, Claudio Chiappucci, Charly Mottet and Indurain came in over five minutes down. The win was more than enough to put young Virenque into the Yellow jersey.
General Classification after stage 2
1. Richard Virenque (RMO) 11hr 29'28"
2. Miguel Indurain (Banesto) +4'34"
3. Gianni Bugno (Gatorade) +4'36"
4. Arnould (Castorama) +4'50"
7. Raul Alcala (PDM) +5'04"
6. Claudio Chiappucci (Carrera) +st
Sadly for him, and much like Zulle the day before him, the glory only lasted one day as a group of nine put seven minutes into the main bunch the next day with Pascal Lino, the best placed of the group, pulling on the leaders jersey.
A slew of relatively flat stages followed up to stage nines time-trial, which as expected was dominated by Big-Mig. The Spaniard took 3 full minutes out of his nearest rival — Armand De Las Cuevas — with Bugno, Zenon Jaskula and Greg LeMond further behind. Still, it wasn’t enough to overhaul Lino who continued in yellow, but it was already looking like a matter of if, not when, would Indurain ride off into the sunset.
General Classification after stage 9
1. Pascal Lino (RMO) 36h 59'03"
2. Miguel Indurain (Banesto) +1'27"
3. Jesper Skibby (TVM) +3'47"
4. Stephen Roche (Carrera) +4'15"
5. Greg LeMond (Z) +4'27"
6. Gianni Bugno (Gatorade) +4'27"
Stage 11 provided one of the more emotional stages of the Tour as French hero, Laurent Fignon got into a break before winning solo at Mulhouuse in what would prove to be his final ever Tour de France stage victory.
By stage 13 the race was into the high mountains finishing at Sestriere, which naturally meant it was time for Claudio Chiappucci to shine. The Italian put out one of the finest solo mountain attacks of recent times, riding on his own for 125km over several peaks to victory 1-45 ahead of a chasing Indurain, who clearly realising what was at stake, had dropped the rest in order to limit his losses to Chiappucci. The big loser on the day was LeMond, who as a shadow of his former self and suffering with saddle sores, finished in the Autobus almost 50 minutes back on the race winner. He abandoned the race at the finish. Roche also lost time slipping from third to sixth, 9-13 behind Indurain who had at last overhauled Lino to take back the race lead. Chiappucci moved within 1-42 of Indurain, but with the time-trial to come it was clear Chiappucci would need even bigger efforts if he was to find a way to win his first Tour. Another man to lose out was Points jersey favourite, Djamolodine Abdoujaparov who was eliminated on time.
General Classification after stage 13
1. Miguel Indurain (Banesto) 63h 34'54"
2. Claudio Chiappucci (Carrera) +1'42"
3. Gianni Bugno (Gatorade) +4'20"
4. Pascal Lino (RMO) +7'21"
5. Pedro Delgado (Banesto) +8'47"
6. Stephen Roche (Carrera) +9'13"
On Alp d’Huez the next day, Gianni Bugno — looking to win on the mountain for the third straight year — felt the wrath of the climb losing big time to his rivals and slipping out of contention. Instead it was American Andrew Hampsten who picked up the biggest win of his career — and first at the Tour de France — while Indurain marked Chiappucci all the way to the top. De Las Cuevas, who had finished second to Indurain in that earlier time-trial, was eliminated from the stage on time.
This result all but confirmed the Tour to be a two horse race — if indeed Chiappucci being 1-42 down on Indurain was considered being in the race — as third place Hampsten now sat eight minutes back with the plucky Lino hanging on in fourth.
Stephen Roche, the winner of the 1987 Tour, used stage 16 as a chance to roll back the years taking what, like Fignon earlier, would prove to be his final Tour stage win. By now the Tour was all but sealed for Indurain, for Chiappucci could put no more time into him, and with little climbing to come and only an accident standing in the way of him doing the double.
On the final stage that mattered — the time-trial into Blois — Indurain, as ever, took the victory at an average speed of 52.351 km/h to finish the Tour 4-35 ahead of Chiappucci with the next nearest — Bugno — over ten minutes behind. For his earlier efforts and long stint in yellow, Lino was rewarded with a fifth place finish, while Laurent Jalabert, almost ever a presence in the top ten of any stage finish that wasn’t the mega-high mountains, winning the points prize. Claudio Chiappucci fittingly wrapped up the King of the Mountains competition.
On the ride into Paris it was crash free. Indurain won his second straight tour while Olaf Ludwig beat Van Poppel, Musseeuw and Jalabert to the line on the Champs d’Elysses.
Final General Classification
1. Miguel Indurain (Banesto) 100h 49'30"
2. Claudio Chiappucci (Carrera) +4'35"
3. Gianni Bugno (Gatorade) +10'49"
4. Andrew Hampsten (Motorola) +13'40"
5. Pascal Lino (RMO) +14'37"
6. Pedro Delgado (Banesto) +15'16"
Points competition: Laurent Jalabert
Climbers Competition: Claudio Chiappucci
2011 TOUR
The 2001 Tour seen a rider from below the equator win the Tour de France for the first time. That was Cadel Evans who until last year was quickly becoming one of the great nearly men of cycling until he finally got it right. Thomas Voeckler was the man of the Tour having got in an early break that put the yellow jersey onto his shoulders only to fight tooth and nail with the big boys of the race to maintain his lead through the majority of the mountains. Only on the final days of the Alps did he crack and lose time to Andy Schleck who at long last had proved he could indeed attack and subsequently pull on the Yellow jersey.
Realising another chance at Tour glory might be passing him by, Cadel Evans chased Schleck hard and limited his losses. Those losses were more than enough for him to make up on the races final time-trial when he leap frogged Schleck and moved into the race lead with only the final ride into Paris to come.
It was an epic Tour full of drama, from the epic crash and heroism of Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha, to those gritty efforts of Voeckler; and from the first Green jersey in the career of Mark Cavendish to the first Tour victory for Australia courtesy of Evans.
Final General Classification of the 2011 Tour de France
1. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) 82hr 12'22"
2. Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) +1'34"
3. Fränk Schleck (Leopard Trek) +2'30"
4. Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) +3'20"
5. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) +4'55"
6. Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) +6'05"
Points competition: Mark Cavendish
Climbers competition: Samuel Sánchez
Click here to see stage-by-stage details of the 2011 Tour with stage winners and respective leaders of jersey competitions as the race progressed as well as detailed final standings.
PAST WINNERS
2011 -- Cadel Evans, Australia
2010 -- Andy Schleck, Luxembourg-*
(*-Schleck was named the Tour winner after Alberto Contador was stripped of the title after a positive doping test.
2009 -- Alberto Contador, Spain
2008 -- Carlos Sastre, Spain
2007 -- Alberto Contador, Spain
2006 -- Oscar Pereiro, Spain-*
(*-Pereiro was named the Tour winner after Floyd Landis was stripped of the title after a positive doping test.
2005 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
2004 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
2003 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
2002 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
2001 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
2000 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
1999 -- Lance Armstrong, United States
1998 -- Marco Pantani, Italy
1997 -- Jan Ullrich, Germany
1996 -- Bjarne Riis, Denmark
1995 -- Miguel Indurain, Spain
1994 -- Miguel Indurain, Spain
1993 -- Miguel Indurain, Spain
1992 -- Miguel Indurain, Spain
1991 -- Miguel Indurain, Spain
1990 -- Greg LeMond, United States
1989 -- Greg LeMond, United States
1988 -- Pedro Delgado, Spain
1987 -- Stephen Roche, Ireland
1986 -- Greg LeMond, United States
1985 -- Bernard Hinault, France
1984 -- Laurent Fignon, France
1983 -- Laurent Fignon, France
1982 -- Bernard Hinault, France
1981 -- Bernard Hinault, France
1980 -- Joop Zoetemelk, Netherlands
1979 -- Bernard Hinault, France
1978 -- Bernard Hinault, France
1977 -- Bernard Thevenet, France
1976 -- Lucien Van Impe, Belgium
1975 -- Bernard Thevenet, France
1974 -- Eddy Merckx, Belgium
1973 -- Luis Ocana, Spain
1972 -- Eddy Merckx, Belgium
1971 -- Eddy Merckx, Belgium
1970 -- Eddy Merckx, Belgium
1969 -- Eddy Merckx, Belgium
1968 -- Jan Jansen, Netherlands
1967 -- Roger Pingeon, France
1966 -- Lucian Almar, France
1965 -- Felice Gimondi, Italy
1964 -- Jacques Anquetil, France
1963 -- Jacques Anquetil, France
1962 -- Jacques Anquetil, France
1961 -- Jacques Anquetil, France
1960 -- Gastone Nencini, Italy
1959 -- Federico Bahamontes, Spain
1958 -- Charly Gaul, Luxembourg
1957 -- Jacques Anquetil, France
1956 -- Roger Walkowiak, France
1955 -- Louison Bobet, France
1954 -- Louison Bobet, France
1953 -- Louison Bobet, France
1952 -- Fausto Coppi, Italy
1951 -- Hugo Koblet, Switzerland
1950 -- Ferdinand Kubler, Switzerland
1949 -- Fausto Coppi, Italy
1948 -- Gino Bartali, Italy
1947 -- Jean Robic, France
1940-46 -- Tour cancelled, World War II
1939 -- Sylvare Maes, Belgium
1938 -- Gino Bartali, Italy
1937 -- Roger Lapeble, France
1936 -- Sylvere Maes, Belgium
1935 -- Romain Maes, Belgium
1934 -- Antonin Magne, France
1933 -- Georges Speicher, France
1932 -- Andre Leducq, France
1931 -- Antonin Magne, France
1930 -- Andre Leducq, France
1929 -- Maurice Dewsele, Belgium
1928 -- Nicholas Frantz, Luxembourg
1927 -- Nicholas Frantz, Luxembourg
1926 -- Lucian Bruysee, Belgium
1925 -- Ottavio Bottecchia, Italy
1924 -- Ottavio Bottecchia, Italy
1923 -- Henri Pellissier, France
1922 -- Firmin Lambot, Belgium
1921 -- Leon Scieur, France
1920 -- Phillipe Thys, Belgium
1919 -- Firmin Lambot, Belgium
1915-18 -- Tour cancelled, World War I
1914 -- Phillipe Thys, Belgium
1913 -- Phillipe Thys, Belgium
1912 -- Odile Defraye, Belgium
1911 -- Gustave Farrigou, France
1910 -- Octave Lapize, France
1909 -- Francois Faber, Luxembourg
1908 -- Lucien Petit-Breton, France
1907 -- Lucien Petit-Breton, France
1906 -- Rene Pottier, France
1905 -- Louis Trousseller, France
1904 -- Henri Cornet, France
1903 -- Maurice Garin, France
RECORDS
Most wins
7 -- Lance Armstrong, USA (1999-2005)
5 -- Jacques Anquetil, FRA (1957, 1961-64)
5 -- Eddy Merckx, BEL (1969-72, 1974)
5 -- Bernard Hinault, FRA (1978-79, 1981-82, 1985)
5 -- Miguel Indurain, ESP (1991-95)
3 -- Philippe Thys, BEL (1913-14, 1920)
3 -- Louison Bobet, FRA (1853-55)
3 -- Greg LeMond, USA (1986, 1989-90)
Most Green jerseys
6 -- Erik Zabel, GER (1996-2001)
4 -- Sean Kelly, IRE (1982-83, 1985, 1989)
3 -- Jan Janssen, HOL (1964-65, 1967)
3 -- Eddy Merckx, BEL (1969, 1971-72)
3 -- Freddy Maertens, BEL (1976, 1978, 1981)
3 -- Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, UZB (1991, 1993-94)
3 -- Robby McEwen, AUS (2002, 2004, 2006)
Most Mountain jerseys
7 -- Richard Virenque, FRA (1994-97, 1999, 2003-04)
6 -- Federico Bahamontes, ESP (1954, 1958-59, 1962-64)
6 -- Lucien Van Impe, BEL (1971-72, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983)
Most Tour wins by nation
36 -- France
18 -- Belgium
13 -- Spain
10 -- USA
9 -- Italy
5 -- Luxembourg
2 -- Holland and Switzerland
1 -- Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Australia
Largest winning margins (since 1947)
28'17" -- Fausto Coppi, ITA over Constant Ockers, BEL (1952)
26'16" -- Gino Bartali, ITA over Alberic Schotte, BEL (1948)
22'00" -- Hugo Koblet, SUI over Raphael Geminiani, FRA (1951)
Smallest winning margins (since 1947)
8 seconds -- Greg LeMond, USA over Laurent Fignon, FRA (1989)
23 seconds -- Alberto Contador, ESP over Cadel Evans, AUS (2007)
32 seconds -- Oscar Pereiro, ESP over Andreas Klöden, GER (2006)
38 seconds -- Jan Janssen, HOL over Herman Van Springel, BEL (1968)
Most days in Yellow
111 -- Eddy Merckx, BEL
83 -- Lance Armstrong, USA
79 -- Bernard Hinault, FRA
60 -- Miguel Indurain, ESP
52 -- Jacques Anquetil, FRA
All-time stage winners
34 -- Eddy Merckx, BEL
28 -- Bernard Hinault, FRA
25 -- Lance Armstrong, USA
25 -- Andre Leducq, FRA
22 -- Andre Darrigade, FRA
20 -- Mark Cavendish, GBR
20 -- Nicolas Frantz, LUX
Most stage wins in one Tour
8 -- Charles Pelissier, FRA (1930)
8 -- Eddy Merckx, BEL (1970, 1974)
8 -- Freddy Maertens, BEL (1976)
Oldest Tour winners
36 -- Firmin Lambot, BEL (1922)
34 -- Henri Pelissier, FRA (1923)
34 -- Gino Bartali, ITA (1948)
34 -- Cadel Evans, AUS (2011)
Youngest Tour winners
19 -- Henri Cornet, FRA (1904)
21 -- Romain Maes, BEL (1935)
22 -- Francois Faber, LUX (1909)
22 -- Octave Lapize, FRA (1910)
Highest average speed of a Tour winner
41.654kph -- Lance Armstrong, USA (2005)
40.940kph -- Lance Armstrong, USA (2003)
40.553kph -- Lance Armstrong, USA (2004)
Longest time between wins
10 years -- Gino Bartali, ITA (1938 to 1948)
Most Tour starts
16 -- Joop Zoetemelk, HOL (1970-73, 1975-86)
16 -- George Hincapie, USA (1996-2011)
