Road Bike Racing - Five best stages of the Tour de France?

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PDA
Guest
06-12-06, 09:52 PM
A girlfriend of mine is seriously considering a trip to France for this Tour in July and wants to observe the five best stages, so I said I'd ask the most knowledgeable people around- you all. So... which stages would you attend if you could and why?

Thanks!

Koffee

Jakey
06-12-06, 10:20 PM
Stage 16 and 19 and 20, are three that I would hit. Gonna have to look at the route again.
USAZorro
06-12-06, 10:36 PM
That last week has a number of the best stages. The final stage is certainly always a great one - especially for spectators. The Time trials would be good too, because on most of the other stages, the riders pass by you once, and it's over. Mountain stages are nice if you can get near the top of a climb because the riders aren't all bunched together, they are moving a lot slower, and the leaders will be working their butts off.

Hope your friend enjoys the trip. I'm only mildly jealous. :)

snoboard2
06-12-06, 11:25 PM
duuuude, any of the hilly stages or tts.
DrWJODonnell
06-13-06, 12:18 AM
+1 hilly or TTs. I will look at the route, but anything in a ski resot town is an added bonus...great places to stay...
Vinokurtov
06-13-06, 01:46 AM
I'd go for the prolouge then pop over the Channel. Can't have a much better stage for the opener, and it'll make her really appreciate the food in France...
EventServices
06-13-06, 06:22 AM
Two ideas:
1. Consult weather.com. You don't want to stand out in crap weather.

2. Pick any of the mountain stages.

It's all good.
56/12 and 22/28
06-13-06, 07:24 AM
Don't forget the final stage in Paris.

Be there.
El Diablo Rojo
06-13-06, 09:36 AM
The Prologue would be a good one to see along with these:
Stage 7 - July 8: Saint-Grégoire - Rennes ITT, 52 km
Stage 11 - July 13: Tarbes - Val d'Aran/Pla-de-Beret (Spain), 208 km
Stage 15 - July 18: Gap - L'Alpe-d'Huez, 187 km (Queen stage?)
Stage 16 - July 19: Le Bourg-d'Oisans - La Toussuire, 182 km
Stage 17 - July 20: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Morzine, 199 km
Stage 19 - July 22: Le Creusot - Montceau-les-Mines ITT, 56 km

If I had to pick any one stage it would be L'Alpe d'Huez just because it's L'Alpe d'Huez.
Voodoo76
06-13-06, 10:16 AM
I know the TT's and the Mountains have the most impact on the GC, but I would definitly want to work in one of the big Field sprints. Problem there I guess would be getting a good vantage point.