http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krrKv-C2 ... e=youtu.be

Louis

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http://www.ccsalma.com

wow, that's helluva boring way to announce a race... dont they have some marketing department down there in ASO? i cant believe they published something so crappy to endorse a race that has been won like six times over last fifteen years, and that number is still likely to change

Speaking of which, I've now tied Lance Armstrong for TdF victories.

Lance has drawn level with me too.

I'm catching up with Contador also, though less hopeful I can reel him in.

Very much less hopeful about Merckx, Coppi etc.

Short stages: shortest since 2002. Median stage length is only 173 km, 3360 km total.

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Fuji SL/1
Weight Weenies Jersey order: deadline 4 Oct!!!

The last climb of the race is the Semnoz; I've done it over a dozen times on holiday.19.5 k's- hope I can record it.

I prefer the short stages, it usually makes for more exciting racing.

- I rode the Annecy - Semnoz stage last Thursday, it is harder that it looks on the profile. I would rate the Semnoz as harder than Alpe d'Huez.

I've done Semnoz from all four sides and while some of the routes are not easy, I would not rate it up there with AD! But it's often how you feel on the day ...

The Semnoz from Quintal is slightly steeper than the Alpe but also slightly shorter. The again you don't get the bends to 'rest' on or the 'flat' bit above Huez like you do with the Alpe.

Semnoz,
- Average grade: 8.2 %
- Length: 11.3 km



Alpe
- Average grade: 8.1 %
- Length: 13.2 km

It was a few years ago, so memory has softened me efforts.Took a fair part of the morning, then I'd have a
swim in the lake. The Alpe was a grind in my lowest gear.

I have to say that for me, the route is astonishing in it's lack of imagination.

Someone at the ASO needs to do something new - but I guess that really isn't the French way. The Semnoz is not really that tough. Having ridden all approaches, there are far more challenging climbs even in the immediate vicinity. A missed opportunity?