This is the last stage in the Alps for this year's Tour. We're still in the mountains, though nothing is as severe as yesterday's long and mighty Col de la Madeleine. Having said that, history has shown that a stage into Gap can cause serious problems, such as Eddy Merckx's collapse in 1971, and Joseba Beloki's horrific crash in 2003 when the melting asphalt on the road caused him to roll a tire and hit the deck in a most painful and tragic way.  Click for more stage background

Today's course is almost identical to a stage in 1971, when Eddy Merckx, AKA "the Cannibal," had one of the hardest days of his career. He was dropped on the very steep (9%!) Cote de Laffrey and had to chase all day in unbearable heat. Hey, did we mention it's really HOT today in France? Uh oh!

Start Time: 12:00 p.m. Central European Time.

Stage Type: Road Race. Explain

Riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first at the end of the course. Members of teams together to work to give advantage to their fastest riders or to their rider best placed in the overall standings.

Stage Distance: 179 KM or 111.2 miles. How far is that?

179 kilometers is the same as 111 miles. That's a pretty long ride, especially on a HOT summer day in France! Lots of cold drinks for the riders today.

Estimated Length of Time:4:30 How long is that?

The riders will spend about 4 1/2 hours on the bike today. That's about the amount of time from when you wake up until lunchtime. Imagine being on the bike, going super-fast, in HOT HOT HEAT (that's for you, Jeff) for four and a half hours!

Terrain: mountainous.

Number of Climbs: One Cat 3, one Cat 2, and one Cat 1 climb. What does "cat" mean?

"Cat" is short for "category." The climbs are rated according to how long and hard they are. They are ranked Category 1-4, with 4 being the "easiest" (I'm not sure they're so easy!) and 1 being the "hardest." But wait- there's even a harder one! Climbs that are rated "Hors Categorie" (above category) are longer and steeper than a Category 1. That sounds HARD!

Estimated Calories: 5000 How much would you have to eat?

The riders will burn lots of calories on this medium mountain stage, but the bigger trick will be to stay hydrated in very hot humid weather. Lots of water and sports drinks throughout the day will be the name of the game. Not a bad idea for you too this summer!

On July 14, 1789, people of Paris, France stormed the Bastille, a fortress-prison that often wrongfully held prisoners. This was seen as the happy conclusion of the French Revolution. So in addition to being a cool song by Rush, it is now celebrated as a big holiday in France every year. 

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Are you hungry?

By Mari Holden at Velo Betty

It's really important for the cyclists to eat and drink while they are on the bike. In a race like the Tour de France the riders can barely keep up with replacing the amount of calories that they burn. So, they have to make sure that they eat while they are riding. Normally they will carry some small bars and gels in their jersey pockets. But, they can go back to their team cars in the caravan to get more food and bottles. There are guys on the team who are designated to help the other riders, and they will make many trips to the car. Their job is really important because they are helping the other riders on the team. There are also areas called "feed zones" where each team has people waiting by the side of the road to hand their riders bottles. They normally hand the bottles to their riders in "musettes which are like cloth purses for food and bottle. That way each rider can get a couple bottles and some food all in one bag. The cyclists have to eat so much every day that they actually get tired of eating and have to work hard to get their calories. So, sometimes the teams add some of the riders favorites in their musette bags... Things like small sandwiches, and cookies are favorites...

 

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