The worlds greatest cycling race, Le Tour de France, starts today...in Holland!
The first three stages pass through the Netherlands and Belgium on routes designed to replicate some features of the spring classics, including seven cobblestone sectors totalling 13.2 km, the longest distance of cobblestones in the Tour since 1983, on stage 3.
There are six mountain stages, three of them with mountain finishes, and in the 100th anniversary year of their first inclusion on the tour, the emphasis is on the Pyrenees, with two ascents of the Col du Tourmalet. There is just one long time trial, which is restored to its traditional place on the penultimate day.
The first three stages pass through the Netherlands and Belgium on routes designed to replicate some features of the spring classics, including seven cobblestone sectors totalling 13.2 km, the longest distance of cobblestones in the Tour since 1983, on stage 3.
There are six mountain stages, three of them with mountain finishes, and in the 100th anniversary year of their first inclusion on the tour, the emphasis is on the Pyrenees, with two ascents of the Col du Tourmalet. There is just one long time trial, which is restored to its traditional place on the penultimate day.
The UK has a strong chance of winning both the individual and team titles with Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky.
And "the fastest man on a bike" Mark Cavendish is tipped for the green sprinters jersey.
You get to see a lot of nice french towns, chatauxs, and villages but the action is best when they get to the mountain stages - next weekend for the Alps and the following weekend for the Pyrenese stages.
Otherwise, the flat stages and time trials are not good for the spectator, apart from the views.
Hope there are no contraversies this year - I am sure they will be the usual drug claims and cheats - should they not have learnt by now.
(saying that a Spanish rider has been dropped by his team, as he has used a product that contained traces of "banned substances". Given all the dope testing they do on cyclists, I am sure that if they tested it even the bread in mercadona would contain traces of "banned substances!")
UK TV Coverage of the Tour De France
Its on Eurosport and TVE2 / teledeportes and ITV4.
British Eurosport is on Sky Channel 410
British Eurosport 2 is on Sky channel 411
Eurosport HD is on Sky channel 412
ITV4 is on Sky channel 120
ITV4 is on Freesat 117
La 2 and Teledeports channels are on TDT - Spanish "Freeview"
I prefer the Eurosport commentary, as Phil and Paul on ITV are sometime too serious. ES usually have past winner Stephen Roache - and are a bit more relaxed in their commentary - well they have to fill 6 hours of TV time - and do read out text and emails - I have had one read out!!!
The in September La Vuelta Espana starts. There are a few stages in my area - around Calpe and Moraira areas. Saw them in the area last year - its amazing the sppeds that they can go up hills, that even my ickle "Skippy" the Renault Kangoo struggles (mind the riders dont have a 2m dish on their back!). Its also amzaing the noise that 150 bikes make when they zip past you at 40kms!
For more information on British TV for the Costa Blanca Spain please visit:
The Sat and PC Guy - Digital Satellite and Terrestrial Installations and Maintenance for the Costa Blanca
or the forum
The Sat and PC Guy FORUM - Digital Satellite and Terrestrial Installations and Maintenance for the Costa Blanca
