2010 Tour De France Course Preview: Stage 8

Once again, the Tour De France is upon us and once again, there are already rumors of doping and a scandal in the making. It would appear that Team Astana (yes, the one with Lance Armstrong and last year's winner, Alberto Contador) is being fingered in a doping case by the Parisian Public Prosecutor. This is interesting when you consider that these two athletes are the best climbing riders in the sport and this year's course is going to be decided by the colossal mountains that the riders must traverse. This is the 100^th anniversary of the first Tour to trek through the famous Pyrenees Mountains. This course will prove to be quite the challenge as it travels over 2,200 miles (3,590 km) along the French countryside. There are several rare occasions in this year's race as well as a couple first time events. For the fifth time in the race's history, it will begin in the Netherlands. The most noticeable difference to this race is the excessive mountains. With 23 peaks and three mountaintop finishes, the winner of the 2010 Tour will have to be an outstanding climber. There are a couple things that make this course unique. There is a mixture of classic and even cobblestone sections to this course, and a lot of historic towns will be traversed. There are also a total of 11 new towns that have never previously hosted a start to a tour. With the gigantic Col du Tourmalet being crossed twice, it is sure to be one of the decisive factors to the race. All of this climbing begins with section 8. This section will give us a huge preview of what to expect later in the race. Here is a look at the Station Des Rousses to Morzine - Avoriaz leg of the 2010 Tour De France.

For the first time in Tour history, Rousses will offer a start for one of the courses. Stage eight will begin in this small town and be the beginning to one of the most mountainous Tour De France courses ever. After several flat and, at most, hilly courses will preclude the beginning of the 2010 Tour. Stage eight will be a great prelude to what lies ahead. As the first true test to the mountain abilities of these riders, the eighth stage will begin to separate the true climbers from the rest of the pack. The trek between Rousses and Morzine - Avoriaz will travel over two major peaks and several smaller, yet still steep, climbs and end in a skiing village in the Portes Du Soleil, nestled on a shelf high above the town of Morzine. Despite the rustic and scenic settings that emit relaxation and beauty, this is one of the most strenuous courses in the race. With several small climbs and two major peaks, this will be the first test of these riders' climbing ability. The two summits in this course can be the decision makers for this section. Col de la Ramaz will be the first of these and has only made two appearances in prior Tours. This one summit will be climbed twice this year and is a very difficult section. At 14 kilometers of 6.9% grade, this will either be a strategic bonus, or certain death for some riders. The second summit will take the riders into Avoriaz. This one is a little less of a strain, but still a beast at 6.1% grade over 13.6 kilometers.

Overall, this stage will involve 189 kilometers (117.4 miles) of arduous terrain and several small peaks. Nearly half the course will involve uphill battles and the true climbers will get their first break in the course. This is the beginning to a true climber's Tour. This course will start in one of France's most beautiful cities for the first time in Tour history and end at one of the finest ski resorts in the world. As this year's Tour De France winds through not only the Alps, but the French Pyrenees, this section will offer the start of the mountain courses and give us a glimpse at who will truly have a shot at winning the Tour this year.

Sources:

2010 Tour De France - Wikipedia

Tour De France 2010 Official Site

Tour De France 2010 Official Site - Section 8

Tour De France 2010 Launched under Doping Suspicions

Steephill 2010 Tour De France Route Map