When the riders get to Grenoble, they know the road ahead is going to be tough - you've arrived in the Alps. It's a shock to the system after a transfer from Mulhouse straight into the thick of it; stage 10 finishes in Courchevel atop a 22.2km climb at 6.2%. Before then, however, there's the 20.1km, 6% Cormet-de-Roselend which peaks at the 118km mark. Chances are there'll be more sprinters dropping out along the way, but for those that tough it out there are two intermediate sprint points to take something out of what will be a hard day. The flat run to the first climb is perfectly suited to an attack from Armstrong, as he winds up the pace at the base of Cormet-de-Roselend and hits the GC hard. We'll see who can stay with him this year - with T-Mobile's Alexandre Vinokourov in great form, and Ivan Basso believing 2005 may be his year, Armstrong won't have it his own way - prepare for the battle as the lines are drawn!
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Colin Strickland 'tortured by proximity' to Mo Wilson's murder
Gravel racer admits to past romantic relationship with slain rider -
Granigan wins on Mount Sequoyah in men's stage 2 at Joe Martin Stage Race
Clarke extends GC lead for Wildlife Generation -
Heidi Franz wins stage 2 women's race at Joe Martin Stage Race
Mount Sequoyah winner takes overall GC lead -
Marta Cavalli out of Vuelta a Burgos Féminas after stage 2 crash
No fractures for Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne winner
