Tour de France Route 1998

This information came off the back of a truck. It is apparently going to be released to the public at 10.35 English Time. Well, we can share it early

Comments on 1998 Route

The Tour de France for 1998 will be starting later than the typical date because there is the football - soccer World Cup scheduled around it usual starting time. Organisers wish to avoid a clash between the two big sporting events. The route to be announced in a few hours will be just as tough as 1997.

The race starts with a prologue in Dublin, Ireland on July 11 and remains in Ireland for 3 days. The total distance will be 3,850 kms with 21 stages. There will be two alpine stages in the Pyrenees and 4 in the French Alps.

The most difficult will be Stage 10, Pau-Luchon. This is the first time since 1980 that the peloton will pass over all of the 5 mountain passes on the same stage: the Soulor, Aubisque, Aspin, Tourmalet and Peyresourde.

On July 27, the riders go up to the top of Les Deux Alpes after going over the passes at the Croix-de-Fer and Galibier. Another tough day indeed. Next day they climb La Porte and the Madeleine.

As usual, the ITT stages will give the specialists a chance to dominate. There are two ITT stages: July 18, 58 kms between Meyrignac and Correze; and on the August 1, the second-last stage, there is a 53 kms ITT between Montceau-les-Mines and Le Creuso. Should be fun. I plan to give a live coverage - in person via www.cyclingnews.com for the last 5-6 days at least.

The Route

July 11		Prologue: Dublin - 5.7 kms
July 12		Stage 1: Dublin - Dublin - 180 kms
July 13		Stage 2: Enniscorthy - Cork - 200 kms
July 14		Stage 3: Roscoff - Lorient - 171 kms
July 15		Stage 4: Plouay - Cholet - 248 kms
July 16		Stage 5: Cholet - Chateauroux - 227 kms
July 17		Stage 6: La Chatre - Brive-la-Gaillarde - 210 kms
July 18		Stage 7: Meyrignac l'Eglise - Correze - ITT - 58 kms
July 19		Stage 8: Brive - Montauban - 189 kms
July 20		Stage 9: Montauban - Pau - 224 kms
July 21		Stage 10: Pau - Luchon - 197 kms
July 22		Stage 11: Luchon - Plateau de Beille - 170 kms
July 23		Rest day
July 24		Stage 12: Tarascon-sur Arihge - Le Cap d'Agde - 221 kms
July 25		Stage 13: Frontignan La Peyrade - Carpentras - 191 kms
July 26		Stage 14: Valrias - Grenoble - 185 kms
July 27		Stage 15: Grenoble - Les Deux Alpes - 189 kms
July 28		Stage 16: Vizille - Albertville - 204 kms
July 29		Stage 17: Albertville - Aix-les-Bains - 149 kms
July 30		Stage 18: Aix-les-Bains - Neuchatel - 218 kms
July 31		Stage 19: La Chaux-de-Fonds - Autun - 238 kms
August 1	Stage 20: Montceau-les-Mines - Le Creusot - ITT - 53 kms
August 2	Stage 21: Melun - Paris - 147 kms