29-06-2017, 01:08
(This post was last modified: 29-06-2017, 01:10 by ritchiebaby.)
This year's Tour starts in Dusseldorf, Germany (birthplace of golfer Martin Kaymer) on Saturday 1 July with a 14km Time Trial with a few slopes but definitely no hills, never mind mountains - a nice gentle ride along the banks of the Rhine. Sunday's stage starts with another loop in Dusseldorf and ends 203.5km later in Liege, Belgium. There are 2 Category 4 climbs and an early Intermediate Sprint in Monchengladbach (one of my favourite German words and football clubs).
It's almost at the end of Day 3 on Monday before Le Tour eventually reaches La Belle France, starting in Verviers, Belgium winding it's way through Luxembourg and ending in Longwy. There are 5 categorised climbs, only 1 being difficultish at 9.3% gradient, and an Intermediate Sprint. Early in the day, the race takes in the Spa motor racing circuit, which was notorious for high speeds and, unfortunately, fatalities.
I will have all the time in the world to watch this on ITV4 as I will be recuperating after a scheduled hernia operation - caused by lifting my big pension according to some!.
As far as Le Tour is concerned, my ones to watch are Michal Kwiatkowski, Jarlinson Pantano, Thomas De Gendt and Louis Meintjes with Romain Bardet for the overall win. There's no doubt that Chris Froome and Peter Sagan will feature prominently throughout and Mark Cavendish will be out to add more stage victories to challenge Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 wins. The Manx Missile is 4 behind, but having been unwell for some time earlier this year, will find it hard to be at the top of his game for Le Tour.
It's almost at the end of Day 3 on Monday before Le Tour eventually reaches La Belle France, starting in Verviers, Belgium winding it's way through Luxembourg and ending in Longwy. There are 5 categorised climbs, only 1 being difficultish at 9.3% gradient, and an Intermediate Sprint. Early in the day, the race takes in the Spa motor racing circuit, which was notorious for high speeds and, unfortunately, fatalities.
I will have all the time in the world to watch this on ITV4 as I will be recuperating after a scheduled hernia operation - caused by lifting my big pension according to some!.
As far as Le Tour is concerned, my ones to watch are Michal Kwiatkowski, Jarlinson Pantano, Thomas De Gendt and Louis Meintjes with Romain Bardet for the overall win. There's no doubt that Chris Froome and Peter Sagan will feature prominently throughout and Mark Cavendish will be out to add more stage victories to challenge Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 wins. The Manx Missile is 4 behind, but having been unwell for some time earlier this year, will find it hard to be at the top of his game for Le Tour.
Cabbage is still good for you