Tour de France 2010
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor-in-Chief.
Date: 01 August 2010
Yet another fantastic race, won this year by Alberto Contador who became a triple Tour de France winner, but the final stage, Longjumeau to Paris and the Champs Elysees was won by Record-breaking Mark Cavendish, ending for him an impressive Tour.
Stage-by-stage guide with Winners
July 3: Prologue - Rotterdam, 8.9 km
Tour de France started with a prologue. Winner Fabian CANCELLARA
July 4: Stage 1 - Rotterdam - Brussels, 223.5 km
This was a flat stage. Winner Alessandro PETACCHI.
July 5: Stage 2 - Brussels - Spa, 201 km
The peloton went through the Ardennes region. Winner Sylvain CHAVANEL
July 6: Stage 3 - Wanze - Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, 213 km
There were four cobblestone sections in the final 30 km. Winner Thor HUSHOVD
July 7: Stage 4 - Cambrai - Reims, 153.5 km
Flat short stage. Winner Alessandro PETACCHI
July 8: Stage 5 - Epernay - Montargis, 187.5 km
A stage for sprinters. Winner Mark CAVENDISH
July 9: Stage 6 - Montargis - Gueugnon, 227.5 km
A stage for sprinters. Winner Mark CAVENDISH
July 10: Stage 7 - Tournus - Station des Rousses, 165.5 km
Hilly stage. Winner Sylvain CHAVANEL
July 11: Stage 8 - Station des Rousses - Morzine Avoriaz, 189 km
The first real mountains stage. Winner Andy SCHLECK
July 12: Rest day - Morzine Avoriaz
July 13: Stage 9 - Morzine Avoriaz - St Jean de Maurienne, 204.5 km
Alpine stage. The top of the Col de la Madeleine was 32 km from the finish with the descent to St Jean de Maurienne. Winner Sandy CASAR
July 14: Stage 10 - Chambery - Gap, 179 km
Mountain stage with a heart pounding descent from the Col du Noyer that is not for the weak hearted. Winner Sergio PAULINHO
July 15: Stage 11 - Sisteron - Bourg les Valence, 184.5 km
A stage for sprinters. Winner Mark CAVENDISH
July 16: Stage 12 - Bourg de Peage - Mende, 210.5 km
Had some tough climbs ending with the Cote de Mende. Winner Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER
July 17: Stage 13 - Rodez - Revel, 196 km
Flattish stage. Winner Alexandre VINOKOUROV
July 18: Stage 14 - Revel - Ax 3 Domaines, 184,5 km
Had the demanding ascent to the Col de Pailheres before a final climb to the finish. Winner Christophe RIBLON
July 19: Stage 15 - Pamiers - Bagneres de Luchon, 187.5 km
Mountain stage. Winner Thomas VOECKLER
July 20: Stage 16 - Bagneres de Luchon - Pau, 199.5 km
Mountain stage that had four tough climbs: Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde. Winner Pierrick FEDRIGO
July 21: Rest day - Pau
July 22: Stage 17 - Pau - Col du Tourmalet, 174 km
Centenary of the Pyrenees in the Tour de France was celebrated. Col du Tourmalet was ascended for the second time in three days.
Winner Andy SCHLECK
July 23: Stage 18 - Salies de Bearn - Bordeaux, 198 km
A stage for sprinters. Winner Mark CAVENDISH
July 24: Stage 19 - Bordeaux-Pauillac, individual time trial 52 km
Time trial. Winner Fabian CANCELLARA
July 25: Stage 20 - Longjumeau - Paris Champs Elysees, 102.5 km
The final ending with eight laps on the Champs Elysees. Winner Mark CAVENDISH
Total distance: 3,642 km
