Velonews is reporting that time bonuses are making a return for the top three of each stage. Anyone know what they are? I doubt they've be the 20 sec variety that the Giro once had. While I doubt that this will make or break a race (though the 2011 Vuelta came down to time bonuses), it should make the first week interesting, especially if a Valverde or Rodriguez type wins on the Mur.

Also: I like what they're doing on a few stages by making the main climb the 2nd last in the series. The stage to Pra-Loup seems perfectly suited to a long range attack of the Schleck/Galibier or the Quintana/Stelvio type raid. The short climb to Alpe D'huez (110km) should also give some fireworks.