News
Cyclists gear up for Tour de France
28 June 2007
The world's best cyclists are in the final stages of preparation for the most gruelling test of physical fitness they will ever face, the Tour de France, which kicks off next month.
Running from 7 to 29 July, the 3,550km race has more earned its reputation as the globe's most famous cycling event. The 20 stage race starts with a 200km sprint through the English countryside, before working its way down through the rural, mountainous and coastal terrain of France.
From there it heads into Belgium and then back into France, snaking north until the final leg of eight laps around the Champs-Elysees in Paris. All in all, 22 teams of nine riders will be forced to endure 11 flat stages, six punishing mountain stages and two team-trial stages.
Among the most notable stages of the race are intense climb of the Alpe d'Huez, which reaches an altitude of nearly 2,000 metres above sea level and the Mount Ventoux pass, which is often claimed to be the hardest stage in the tour.
Every year thousands of spectators flock to the many different towns and villages that the tour traverses in order to follow the proceedings and cheer on the cyclists.
Fancy going to this event? Use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights and hotels for your stay.
© Adfero Ltd
Running from 7 to 29 July, the 3,550km race has more earned its reputation as the globe's most famous cycling event. The 20 stage race starts with a 200km sprint through the English countryside, before working its way down through the rural, mountainous and coastal terrain of France.
From there it heads into Belgium and then back into France, snaking north until the final leg of eight laps around the Champs-Elysees in Paris. All in all, 22 teams of nine riders will be forced to endure 11 flat stages, six punishing mountain stages and two team-trial stages.
Among the most notable stages of the race are intense climb of the Alpe d'Huez, which reaches an altitude of nearly 2,000 metres above sea level and the Mount Ventoux pass, which is often claimed to be the hardest stage in the tour.
Every year thousands of spectators flock to the many different towns and villages that the tour traverses in order to follow the proceedings and cheer on the cyclists.
Fancy going to this event? Use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights and hotels for your stay.
© Adfero Ltd
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