Tour de France 2012

[Leongsam]

every year the route is different, if the route is mostly mountain, then the cyclist who are expert in mountains will have advantage. This year, it is not like the past, good for all rounder cyclists than mountain cyclists.

The differences are marginal. The race goes through the Alpes and the Pyrenees every year and there is between 50 to 100 km of time trials plus a team time trial once in a while.

If there is one extra mountain in a particular year, that's a potential 2 minute gain for an excellent climber and if there's an extra 50km of time trialing, that's worth about 1:30 for a good time trialist.

However, you still have to be good in both disciplines in order to win the tour outright.

[singveld]

The peloton, during the 15th stage of the Tour de France, on July 16, 2012.

[singveld]

The lead group makes the climb of the Col d'Aubisque during stage sixteen of the 2012 Tour de France in Gourette, France, on July 18, 2012.

[singveld]

The pack rides in stage 16, on July 18, 2012.

[singveld]

The pack of riders cycles in the Pyrenees mountains during the 16th stage, on July 18, 2012.

[singveld]

Photographers crowd around overall leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain prior to the start of the 17th stage of the Tour de France in Bagneres-de-Luchon, on July 19, 2012.

[singveld]

A spectator wrapped in the Spanish flag sprays water on stage winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain as he climbs towards Peyragudes during the 17th stage of the Tour de France, on July 19, 2012.

[singveld]

Jet aircraft paint the sky as they perform a flyover near the beginning of stage eighteen in Blagnac, on July 20, 2012.


The peloton, pursued by helicopter, during the 18th stage of the Tour de France, on July 20, 2012.

[singveld]

The peloton passes through a sunflower field during stage eighteen in Blagnac, France, on July 20, 2012.

[singveld]

Sky Procycling rider and leader's yellow jersey Bradley Wiggins of Britain cycles during the stage 19 individual time trial, on July 21, 2012.

[singveld]

The peloton races into Paris during the twentieth and final stage of the 2012 Tour de France, on July 22, 2012.

[singveld]

Bradley Wiggins is congratulated by Michael Rogers of Australia during the final stage of the the Tour de France, on July 22, 2012.

[singveld]

Sky Procycling rider and leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain (left) cycles on the Place de la Concorde in Paris during the final stage, on July 22, 2012.

[singveld]

Sky Procycling rider Bradley Wiggins celebrates his overall victory with teammates on the Champs Elysees in front the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, on July 22, 2012.

[singveld]

Bradley Wiggins of Britain -- he first Briton to ever win the Tour de France -- kisses the trophy as he celebrates his overall victory on the podium after the final stage, on July 22, 2012.