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Dauphiné Libéré
Photo ©: Sirotti


90th Tour de France - July 5-27, 2003

Tour Tech

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Latest: Tour books reviewed: L'Equipe Tour de France box set, l'Equipe English version, Yellow Jersey Companion
Recent features:Tour Tech News - Tyler's FSA cranks, Mick Rogers' Time, Oakley and more, Tour Tech News - Trek's new forks, Lance's bike?, Ritchey & SRAM podium, 2004 Dura-Ace answers, TdF bikes Pt 3 - Colnago, Cannondale, Wilier Triestina, Orbea and more, TdF bikes Pt 2 - Merckx, Scott, Pinarello, Cannondale & Campagnolo electronic, TdF bikes Pt 1 - Bianchi, Cervelo, Lapierre, Trek's new 5.9 Madone, The old meets the new - Giant's TCR-100, Giro Atmos: debuts at 2003 Tour de France, Millar's mechanical: For want of a front derailleur... Pro bike: Jan Ullrich's Bianchi EV3


Stages & Results

Photo: © Olympia

Stage 20 - Sunday, July 27: Ville d'Avray - Paris Champs-Elysées, 152 km

The last time Ville d'Avray hosted a stage finish, it was a century ago, when the winner of the first-ever Tour Maurice Garin came home the victor. After a start in Ville d'Avray, the final stage will wind through the hilly western suburbs of Paris before the final 10 circuits on the Champs-Elysees.

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

Photo: © J.Devich/CN

Stage 19 - Saturday, July 26: Pornic - Nantes, TT, 49 km

Nantes is the last of the six original 1903 Tour stops, and the city at the mouth of the Loire is one of the most important ports. The Centenary Tour's penultimate stage has a non-technical parcours and with the strong northwest wind that always comes up in the afternoon here, this could aid the day's final riders.

Wind or not, Armstrong will be looking for a strong performance in this final Individual TT to seal his fifth straight win in the 2003 Tour de France.

Full results & report, Live coverage, Photos

Stage 18 - Friday, July 25: Bordeaux - Saint-Maixent-l'Ecole, 203.5 km

Photo: © AFP

The last time a town in the Deux-Sevres region hosted the Tour de France was over half a century ago. This stage will be a transitional trek back to Paris, passing through the famous town of Cognac at the halfway point. But no elixir for the Tour peloton, as Stage 18 is quite unpredictable.

The sprinters teams may not want to waste too much energy controlling attacks, and look for Brioches Le Boulangere to be particularly aggressive on Stage 18 as the team is based in the region.

Full results & report, Live coverage, Photos

Photo: © Sirotti

Stage 17 - Thursday July 24: Dax-Bordeaux, 181km

It's a likely to be a long slog north through the flat piney woods of Les Landes on the way to wine capital Bordeaux, the traditional appointment for sprinters and another original stage stop for the 1903 Tour. At least the heat has broken so temps will be in the upper 20's with partly cloudy skies. With 1999 stage winner Tom Steels absent from this edition of the Tour, Aussies Baden Cooke and Robbie McEwen will be renewing their ding-dong battle for the Maillot Vert. Watch Erik Zabel and Roman Vainsteins, who will be strong factors in any sprint finish.

Full results & report, Live coverage, Photos

Photo: © Sirotti

Stage 16 - Wednesday, July 23: Pau-Bayonne, 197.5 km

From Pau to Bayonne, where the bayonet was invented and home of the tasty "jambon de Bayonne" ham, Stage 16 offers the last significant climbing in the 100th anniversary Tour de France. This stage traverses the eastern Pyrenees, through the Basque region of France, and includes the nasty ascent of the Bagarguy, followed by Burdincurutcheta. These are the last two chances to attack in the mountains, since it's pretty much all downhill to Bayonne on the Atlantic coast.

Thirty-one years ago, Dutchman Duyndam took the win, while local resident David Millar may be looking for a home win if he can rally from the illness which has hampered his ride through the mountains. As well as the mountains (see profile) there are also three bonus intermediate sprints - but these come after the mountains. It's unlikely the green jersey contenders will be at the front of the peloton by the time of the first intermediate sprint, but this has been an extraordinary Tour and anything is possible.

Stage 16 Climbs:
km 67.5: Col du Soudet (14.1km @ 7.5%)
km 98: Col du Larrau (2.4km @ 10.5%)
km 110: Col de Bagarguy (8.8km @ 9.2%)
km 118.5: Col de Burdincurutcheta (2.2km @ 6.2 %)

Full results & report, Live report , Photos

Wednesday, July 22: Rest day, Pau

Photo: © Jeff Tse

After five days of very dramatic racing, the Tour de France stopped on Tuesday for its second rest day. With sixteen stages behind them and just five to go, there are now 151 riders in the race of the 198 starters. As usual, the Tour has shown itself to be a race of elimination, and there are now realistically only two riders able to win the race in Paris next Sunday, as Jeff Jones writes in our second rest day wrap-up.

Stage 15 - Monday, July 21: Bagnères-de-Bigorre - Luz-Ardiden, 159.5 km

With cooler, overcast conditions typical of the Pyrenees region, the Tour peloton should have a further break from the oppressive heat of the past two weeks. Monday is a short, intense stage from Bagnères-de-Bigorre to Luz Ardiden, and marks the fifth time a Tour stage has started at this tiny Pyrenees town. After an up and down first half across the Bigorre River valley, the last 80km of Stage 15 will be tough, with col d'Aspin, the legendary hors catégorie Tourmalet and the final steep assault of Luz Ardiden to conquer.

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

Stage 14 - Sunday, July 20: Saint-Girons - Loudenvielle, 191.5 km

From Saint Girons, Stage 14 has four Cat.1 climbs on the menu. This could be the stage where Armstrong's rivals attack him on the road to Loudonvielle with its quaint Romanesque architecture. This stage will cross into Spain for a few kilometres and then head for the final two climbs of Portillon and Peyresourde. Last stage winner in Loudonvielle was Laurent Brochard and Le Broche will certainly be trying to repeat six years later for his Ag2r squad.

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

Stage 13: Toulouse-Axe 3 Domaines (Plateau de Bonascre), 197.5km

Starting from Toulouse's ultramodern City of Space aerospace center, Stage 13 transitions south towards the Pyrenees across the verdant Ariege region, into the domaine of the ancient Cathar people. Stage 13 has a final destination of ski station Axe 3 Domaines, at the top of the Plateau du Bonascre, via the steep Porte de Pailheres climb. The Tour arrives in the Pyrenees for three consecutive stages that will likely decide the race. Last time the Tour arrived at Bonascre, the opportunistic Colombian Felix Cardenas of Kelme took the stage win. Watch out for Iban Mayo (Euskaltel-Euskadi) to make it two out of two for mountaintop stage wins today.

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

Stage 12 - Friday, July 18 Gaillac-Cap' Découverte ITT, 47km

Starting in the tiny Tarn village of Gaillac, Stage 12 finishes in the theme park of Cap 'Decouverte, converted from an open-pit coalmine that has become a popular vacation destination in Europe! Generally flat, and not too technical, Armstrong will be looking to don his habitual Maillot Jaune before the weekend mountain stages.

Is Armstrong truly less powerful than in the past, and is his team really beginning to fatigue? John Eustice believes that to be the question du jour.

Results, Live report, Photos

Stage 11 - Thursday, July 17: Narbonne - Toulouse, 153.5 km

Photo: © Olympia

After a well deserved rest day, the peloton of the Centenary Tour heads from ancient Roman city of Narbonne to Toulouse, centre of France's aviation industry. With only one climb at Stage 11's midpoint, sprinters will likely be seeking another shot at glory in Toulouse.

The hot temperatures of the past week are expected to continue, and riders will likely face a strong northwest headwind as they race toward Toulouse.

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

Wednesday, July 16: Rest day, Transfer to Narbonne

Photo: © Jonathan Devich

As the riders eventually wake up, enjoy a long, hot shower, sit down to a lazy breakfast without the need to inhale a kilo's worth of pasta, and board the team bus to make the transition west to the town of Narbonne, each of the 171 men left in the Tour will no doubt take a moment to reflect on the events over the past week and a half and what lies ahead. So will we.

Stage 10 - Tuesday, July 15: Gap-Marseille, 219.5km

Founded over two and a half millennia ago by wayfaring Greeks, Marseilles was one of the original stops for the 1903 Tour. Marseilles is famous for its ports, gangsters and soap. This stage is mostly downhill through the scrubby back country of Provence along the Durance River Valley. Stage 10 could favour a break that goes early... if the sprinters' teams let it ride to the finish in the picturesque Old Port.

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

Stage 9 - Monday July 14: Bourg d'Oisans - Gap, 184.5 km

Photo: © AFP

Whoever lost time in the mountains may be looking to go on the attack on Monday's Stage 9 and with the two long climbs up Lautaret and Izoard, an early attack might work on the way across the southern Alpine hinterlands on the road to Gap.

Stage 9 climbs:

km 10: Cote du Megeve (9.9 km at 5.1%)
km 30: Côte des Rafforts (2.7 km at 8.5%)
km 133.5: Col du Telegraphe (12.1 km at 6.8%)
km 157: Col du Galibier (18.5 km at 6.7%)
km 219: l'Alpe d'Huez (14.1 km at 8%)

Full results & report, Live report, Photos

 

Click here for all Stage Summaries and Results

Tour Features

Exclusive
TDF Diary

Features: L'Etape du Tour: Never say never again, A Votre Tour: Honouring 100 years, Room with a view: A scenic look back at Le Tour, Showdown on the Champs-Elysées, The legend of the Champs-Élysées, Tyler's triumph, "A chicken sandwich, a beer and a 25 sprocket", Talking the talk, Aboard a Tour moto, Inside a team car, Chute Lance Armstrong! The Five-times Club: Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault & lots more
Diaries: Floyd Landis - Time to reflect, Podium Girl Gone Bad: "We are not nuns!" Dr Michele Ferrari: A special Tour, Igor's insights: It's all over, Brad McGee: Final fireworks, John Eustice: Tyler's TT possibilities, Fred Rodriguez: Gut buster, Paolo Bettini: Finalement!
Interviews: David Millar, Pablo Lastras, Servais Knaven, Tyler Hamilton, Cadel Evans, Lance Armstrong, & lots more
Form guide: Tour preview part 2, part 1, Start List, Historical Archives


Tour News

Photo: © J.Devich/CN
  • Monday, July 28 - Armstrong continues fight against cancer, Today Show on Champs-Elysées, Rookies comment on tough Tour, Good Tour for Belgian directors, but not the riders, Baden Cooke in Aalst tonight, Tour podium girl kicked out
  • Monday, July 28 - Armstrong goes five out of five, Ullrich very satisfied with second place, Cooke gets green on the line, Lotto-Domo not too happy, O'Grady takes Centenaire classification, Communique, Post Tour criteriums in Austria
  • Sunday, July 27 - EPO positive in Tour
  • Sunday, July 27 - David Millar: "Keeping it cool", Post stage comments, McEwen ready, Michael Rogers reflects, Hans De Clercq, the Lanterne Rouge, Medical communique
  • Saturday, July 26 - Pablo Lastras: "I'm equally bad at everything", Second fastest Tour stage ever, Every second counts, McEwen snatches green lead, Cooke going for €100,000, Ullrich at Marcolès criterium, Stage 18 Communique, No fines for unbuckled helmets
  • Friday, July 25 - Who will win the Centenary Tour?, Robbie McEwen relaxed but on track for green, Zabel doesn't rule out Green, Peter Luttenberger moves up, Who was third on Luz Ardiden?
  • Friday, July 25 - Servais Knaven: Today I'll ride to win, 150th Dutch victory, Rubiera still focused with three stages to go, Basso Looking at top 10 in Paris, Competition Director Pescheux pleased with Centenary Tour, Lefevere happy with Quick.Step-Davitamon's Tour, Lance's biggest fan, Medical communique
  • Thursday, July 24 - Disbelief at Hamilton's ride, More stage 16 comments, The battle for green, Ullrich given Fair Play prize, Lotto-Domo: and then there were six
  • Thursday, July 24 - Broken bone blues, Ullrich or Armstrong?, Tyler's Haven, the woman behind the man, McGee uncertain for track world's
  • Wednesday, July 23 - Bruyneel happy with situation, Sergeant praying for sprint finishes, Eddy Merckx on the Tour
  • Wednesday, July 23 - Ullrich believes in victory, Moreau staying "humble and concentrated", Chest X-rays clear for Heras, David Millar still not good, McEwen will have to save the day, Top six riders tested on rest day, Tour slightly less popular in the Netherlands
  • Tuesday, July 22 - Hamilton survives tough five days,Top five finish from Rogers by 2005
  • Tuesday, July 22 - Lance Armstrong: What goes around comes around, Mayo thinking of stages, Chavanel offers first Tour opus, Daniel Becke: Lance will win the Tour, Beloki heads home, Prize money update, Communique
  • Monday, July 21 - Stage 14 quotes, Verbrugghe hits his limit, Heras weakened
  • Monday, July 21 - Simoni: There's always tomorrow, Vinokourov does it again, The Italian Job: Cassani Speaks, Armstrong's dehydration, Weather for stage 15, Communique
  • Sunday, July 20 - Tour GC grip tightens, Carlos Sastre - One for Claudia, Pevenage happy, Godefroot also picks Ullrich, A look at the Euskaltel-Euskadi team, Saeco looks ahead, Long road ahead for De Clercq, Gates learns the hard way, Hamilton defends again, Medical communique, Weather for stage 14, Blood tests for 39 riders
  • Saturday, July 19 - Über Ullrich back to his best, Vinokourov satisfied, Millar suffers, 42 riders tested, Communique, Weather for stage 13
  • Friday, July 18 - Important test for Armstrong, McEwen salvages unlucky day, Disappointment for O'Grady, Job well done for Da Cruz
  • Friday, July 18 - Flecha hits his target, Stage 11 quotes, Heras relaxed and ready, Stage 12 TT, Friday's weather, Roche slams Hamilton, Communique medical, The Terminator meets Lance, Tour organisers defend themselves
  • Thursday, July 17 - Beloki's prospects, Riis bothered by speculation, Baguet takes chances when they come, Dutch Tour reunion in Den Bosch
  • Thursday, July 17 - McEwen - Hushovd the dark horse in battle for green, Dufaux plans Pyrenées revival, Armstrong's 'cross training revealed
  • Thursday, July 17 - Stage 11: Narbonne-Toulouse, Raymond Poulidor appreciates Lance, Tour tough Totschnig, Dario David Speaks, George Hincapie on cruise control, Bruyneel "very satisfied" with team performance, Marc Sergeant uncovers strategies, Leblanc braces for more protests
  • Wednesday, July 16 - Tour heat takes its toll, More post-stage quotes, Cooke wants cameras, Fassa Bortolo leading prize money standings, Indurain in l'Etape du Tour
  • Wednesday, July 16 - Mission accomplished for Stage 10 winner, Stage 10 comments from Sacchi, O'Grady, Jaksche, Boogerd, Riis & more, ONCE still motivated after Beloki crash , Communique
  • Tuesday, July 15 - Mayomania gives way to Beloki's pain, Lotto-Domo scrape in, Wilson hanging tough, What's the Centenaire classification?
  • Tuesday, July 15 - Garzelli abandons before stage 10
  • Tuesday, July 15 - Impressive win, but ambitions kept low, Armstrong not penalised for cutting course, More post-stage quotes, Bruyneel satisfied with Alpe d'Huez, French wins on Bastille Day, Medical Communique
  • Tuesday, July 15 - Beloki crashes out of Tour
  • Monday, July 14 - French can't hold the Mayo, Beloki finds renewed confidence, Simoni not recovered from TTT, Ullrich admits Stage 5 stomach trouble, Belgians criticised at home
  • Monday, July 14 - Iban Mayo: First objective achieved, Post-stage quotes, No love lost: Armstrong slams Simoni and Gonzalez, Hamilton does more than survive, Communique medical
  • Sunday, July 13 - "When you stop thinking of it, the yellow jersey comes by itself", Belgians on Armstrong's Alpe d'Huez chances, All or nothing for Beloki, Mayo feels good, Petacchi packs, Legalize My Cannondale, O'Grady's long day out, McEwen's forgettable day, Dutch likely to host Tour in 2005, Medical communique
  • Saturday, July 12 - Petacchi surprised, Simoni won't give up, Special prize for Geslin, Basque language allowed, Armstrong to race in Denmark, Some real Tour trivia, Medical communique
  • Friday, July 11 - More post stage 5 quotes, Ullrich looking forward to mountains, Tyler soldiers on, Vicioso breaks wrist, O'Grady finding form, McEwen: Everybody is beatable, Lotto-Domo go quiet, Mayo talks to Rabobank, Coffee for all
  • Friday, July 11 - No comparisons please: "I am Petacchi!", McEwen: "I don't deserve Green", CSC doctor on Hamilton's performance, Medical communiqué, Last chance to win Fantasy Giant TCR 100
  • Thursday, July 10 - Armstrong not completely satisfied, Beloki will attack, Garzelli a dark horse, CSC team time trial "acceptable", Lotto-Domo: "A day to forget", Petacchi's rivals on Petacchi, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano's views
  • Thursday, July 10 - A Colombian in yellow, Haselbacher hits back, Aussies impress French media, Worldwide distribution for Tyler's brain
  • Wednesday, July 9 - A day in yellow for Nazon, Hamilton still wants to finish, More post-stage comments, Where's McEwen?
  • Wednesday, July 9 - Alessandro confirms it for himself this time, McGee not disappointed, More post-stage comments, Boogerd needs stitches, Legeay: "O'Grady's a true winner", Team talk before TTT, Ramping up the TTT, Zabel wanted birthday win, Lobbying at the Tour, Stage 3 Medical communique, Giant's 2003 Tour de France special
  • Tuesday, July 8 - Courage and pain for Hamilton, McEwen on French team conspiracy, Extra motivation for Bodrogi
  • Tuesday, July 8 - The Brad and Baden show, McEwen goes for green, wants more help, Casper down but not out, CSC brain cam, Tour reneges on Basque deal, Medical communique, Why is it the 90th TdF when it's the centenary?

Earlier Tour news