They’re shankin’ it up a bit. Portions in Germany, less emphasis on TT and mountains (though an interesting TT on Island of Noirmoutier). Also 10 year anniversary of Casartelli’s accident will be noted.
The route
Running from Saturday July 2nd to Sunday July 24th 2005, the 92nd Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3500 kilometres.
These 21 stages have the following profiles:
- 9 flat stages,
- 3 medium mountain stages,
- 6 mountain stages,
- 2 individual time-trial stages,
- 1 team time-trial stage.
Distinctive aspects of the race
- 3 mountain finishes,
- 2 rest days,
- 74 kilometres of individual time-trials,
- 66 kilometres of team time-trials,
- 1 transfer by plane and one by train,
- 20 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed,
- 9 new stop-over towns: Fromentine, Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, Les Essarts, La Châtaigneraie, Chambord, Gérardmer, Miramas, Agde et Lézat-sur-Lèze.
See whole route here: http://www.letour.com/2005/presentationus/parcours.html