tour de france 2012 route

Tour de France 2012: Route details

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The 2012 Tour de France starts in Liè

ge, Belgium, on Saturday June 30 and concludes three weeks later in Paris on Sunday, July 22 2012.

The Belgian city of Liège will kick off the 2012 Tour, having previously hosted the race's Grand Depart in 2004 with a 6.1km prologue time trial won by Fabian Cancellara.

The race then heads due west into France hitting the first real hills of the race in Monts du Boulonnais on the way to Boulogne-sur-Mer before winding its way south to the Alps and a short excursion into Switzerland.

Then it's across to the Pyrenees for what will be two key high mountains stages before a long transfer north for a decisive time trial stage and last day procession into Paris.

There's a total of 96.1km of individual time trialling, four medium mountain stages, five high mountain stages and nine flat stages over the 3,479km route.

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P/ Saturday 30 June 2012 - Liège > Liège - 6,4 km

• Wednesday 27 June 2012 > 1.30PM: inauguration and opening of the Avant Tour Village at the Foire Internationale de Liège (FIL), Quai de Wallonie > 2PM till 8PM: opening of the Permanence in the Country Hall, Complexe sportif et de spectacles Bois-Saint-Jean and of the press center at the same place (until 21PM)
• Friday 29 June 2012 > 9AM till 8PM: opening of the Permanence and the press center (till 10PM) > 10.30AM/11.30AM/1.30PM/2PM/2.30PM/4.30PM/5PM/6PM: several meetings for the different actors of the Tour
• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Foire Internationale de Liège (FIL); crossing the finish line between 12PM and 12.25PM - start: Parc d'Avroy. The riders will start every minute from the start ramp in the Avenue Rogier. First start: 2PM. Last start: 5.17PM
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will take place in Liège in Belgium, in the Province of Liège.
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Boulevard d'Avroy at the end of a final straight line of 100 meters and its width is 5.5 meters - the press room will be in the Country Hall, Complexe Bois-Saint-Jean at 8 km from the finish (shuttle buses)

1/ Sunday 1 July 2012 - Liège > Seraing - 198 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Foire Internationale de Liège (FIL); crossing the finish line between 10.20AM and 10.45AM - riders sign-in: from 10.55AM till 11.55AM - start: Parc d'Avroy - itinerary from the start to the km 0: 1.8 km via the Avenue Rogier, Boulevard d'Avroy, Rue Pont d'Avroy, Rue de la Cathédrale, Rue Léopold, Place Saint-Lambert where the official start ceremony will take place at 12.10PM followed by 7.4 km via Rue Joffre, Boulevard de la Sauvenière, Boulevard d'Avroy, Quai de Rome, Pont de Fragnée, Square Gramme, Pont de Fétinne, Quai des Ardennes, N633, N30, Rue de la Station, Boulevard de Beaufraipont, N61 - km 0: 12h35 on the N61, at 7.4 km from the place where the official start ceremony takes place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will take place in Belgium, in the Province of Liège (from km 0 till km 71, from km 84 till km 94 and from km 152.5 till km 198) and in the Province de Luxembourg (from km 73.5 till km 83 and from km 95.5 till km 149).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Erezée just before a turn right, in the Rue du Général Borlon towards the Rue des Combattants - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Cokafainge - 4th category - km 42 - 2.9 km at 5.1%    > Côte de Francorchamps - 4th category - km 49 - 1.1 km at 6.4%    > Côte de Lierneux - 4th category - km 94 - 2.1 km at 5.1%    > Côte de Barvaux - 4th category - km 139 - 1.6 km at 4.2%    > Côte de Seraing - 4th category - km 198 (finish) - 2.4 km at 4.7%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Avenue du Centenaire at the end of a final straight line of 300 meters and its width is 6 meters, after a 2.4 km climb at 4,7% - the press room will be in the Country Hall, Complexe Bois-Saint-Jean at 1 km from the finish (shuttle buses)

2/ Monday 2 July 2012 - Visé > Tournai - 207.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Rue de la Fontaine, Avenue Albert 1er, Avenue des Combatttants; crossing the finish line between 10.50AM and 11.15AM - riders sign-in: from 11.25AM till 12.25PM - start: Place Reine Astrid at 12.35PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Avenue du Pont, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, N618, OUPEYE, Square Roi Baudouin - km 0: 12h40 on the N618, at 2 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will take place in Belgium, in the Province de Liège (from km 0 till km 57.5), in the Province de Namur (from km 61.5 till km 106), in the Province du Brabant Wallon (from km 112 till km 125) and in the Province de Hainaut (from km 110 till km 112 and from km 137 till km 207,5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Soignies on the Chaussée de Lessines - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de la Citadelle de Namur - 4th category - km 82.5 - 2.1 km at 4.5%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Boulevard Bara at the end of a final straight line of 400 meters and its width is 7 meters - the press room will be in the Hall des Sports close to the finish line

3/ Tuesday 3 July 2012 - Orchies > Boulogne-sur-Mer - 197 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Zone de l'Europe; crossing the finish line between 10.45AM and 11.10AM - riders sign-in: from 11.20 till 12.20PM - start: Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny at 12.30PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, Rue Germain Delettrez, Rue Warocquier Rempart, Rue de la Poterne, Rue Claude Jean, Rue Charles Flon, D953, BEUVRY-LA-FORÊT, Rue Albert Ricquier, D953, D126, Rue Jules Plus - km 0: 12h40 on the D126, at 4.4 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Nord (from km 0 till km 46.5 and from km 54.5 till km 64.5) and Nord-Pas-de-Calais (from km 50 till km 53 and from km 66 till km 197).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Senlecques on the Chaussée Brunehaut, just after the crossing with the Rue du Bois de Senlecques - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de l'Éperche - 4th category - km 132 - 700 m at 6.9%    > Côte de Mont Violette - 3rd category - km 163,5 - 1 km at 9.2%    > Côte de Herquelingue - 4th category - km 181 - 1.7 km at 5.8%    > Côte de Quéhen - 4th category - km 185 - 1.4 km at 5.9%    > Côte de Mont Lambert - 3rd category - km 190.5 - 1.3 km at 8.4%    > Côte de Boulogne-sur-Mer - 4th category - km 197 (finish) - 700 meters at 7.4%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Boulevard Eurvin at the end of a final straight line of 250 meters and its width is 6.5 meters, after a 700 m long climb at 7.4% - the press room will be in the Stade de la Libération close to the finish line

4/ Wednesday 4 July 2012 - Abbeville > Rouen - 214.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: former beet storage depot (former sugar factory Tereos); crossing the finish line between 10.25AM and 10.50AM - riders sign-in: from 11.00AM till 12.00PM - start: Boulevard Vauban at 12.10PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Boulevard Vauban, Place de la Marne, Rue Saint-Gilles, Rue du Maréchal Foch, Place Max Lejeune, Rue du Pont aux Brouettes, Rue Saint-Vulfran, Place Bonaparte, Pont de Talance, Rue Jean Jaurès, Pont de la Gare, Boulevard Voltaire, D925, CAMBRON - km 0: 12.25PM on the D925, at 6.4 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Somme (from km 0 till km 25.5 and at km 31.5) and Seine-Maritime (around km 29.5 and from km 33.5 till km 214.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Fécamp in the Rue Gustave Couturier, just after the Stade - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte du Mont Huon - 4th category - km 38 - 2.1 km at 4.1%    > Côte de Dieppe - 4th category - km 69 - 1.8 km at 3.9%    > Côte de Pourville-sur-Mer - 4th category - km 74 - 1.9 km at 4.4%    > Côte de Toussaint - 4th category - km 143 - 1.9 km at 4.5%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Quai Jean Moulin at the end of a final straight line of 750 meters and its width is 6.5 meters - the press room will be in the premises of the Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime close to the finish

5/ Thursday 5 July 2012 - Rouen > Saint-Quentin - 196.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Quai Cavelier de la Salle; crossing the finish line between 10.45AM and 11.10AM - riders sign-in: from 11.20AM at 12.20PM - start: Quai Jean Moulin at 12.30PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue Saint-Sever, Cours Clemenceau, Place Carnot, Avenue Champlain, Pont Pierre Corneille, Quai Pierre Corneille, Quai de la Bourse, Rue Jeanne d'Arc, Rue Jean Lecanuet, Place du Général de Gaulle, Rue des Faulx, Rue Armand Carrel, Rue Martainville, Place du Canada, Boulevard Gambetta, Avenue Aristide Briand, Route de Bonsecourt, D6014, BONSECOURS, D914 - km 0: 12.45PM on the D914, at 6.8 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Seine-Maritime (from km 0 till km 12.5 and from km 54 till km 62), Eure (from km 14.5 till km 48.5), Oise (from km 73 till km 122), Somme (from km 127.5 till km 174) and Aisne (from km 179 till km 196.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Breteuil in the Rue de Crèvecoeur just before the crossing with the Avenue du Général Frère - the climbs of this stage:    no difficulties referenced in this stage
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Boulevard Gambetta at the end of a final straight line of 130 meters (last turn at 1.3 km) and its width is 6.5 meters - the press room will be in the Palais des Sports Pierre Ratte close to the finish

6/ Friday 6 July 2012 - Épernay > Metz - 207,5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Square Raoul Chandon; crossing the finish line between 10.30AM and 10.55AM - riders sign-in: from 11.05AM till 12.05PM - start: Place de la République at 12.15PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue du Général Leclerc, Rue Saint-Martin, Place Auban-Moët, Place Léon Bourgeois, Boulevard de la Motte, Place Mendès France, Rue Jean Moët, Place de la République, Avenue de Champagne, D3, CHOUILLY, D9 - km 0: 12h30 on the D9, at 7.7 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Marne (from km 0 till km 78), Meuse (from km 82.5 till km 165.5), Meurthe-et-Moselle (from km 170.5 till km 179) and Moselle (from km 183.5 till km 207.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Saint-Mihiel in the Avenue de la 40ème Division - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Buxières - 4th category - km 145 - 2.7 km at 3.8%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Avenue Louis le Débonnaire at the end of a final straight line of 700 meters and its width is 6.5 meters - the press room will be in the Arènes close to the finish

7/ Saturday 7 July 2012 - Tomblaine > La Planche des Belles Filles - 199 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Aéroport de Nancy-Essey; crossing the finish line between 10.25AM and 10.50AM - riders sign-in: from 11.00AM till 12.00PM - start: Avenue de la Paix at 12.10PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Avenue de la Paix, Boulevard Henri Barbusse, Rue du 11 Novembre, Boulevard Tolstoï, Chemin du Bois de la Dame, D2B - km 0: 12h15 on the D2B, at 1.9 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Meurthe-en-Moselle (from km 0 till km 50), Vosges (from km 51.5 till km 150.5) and Haute-Saône (from km 153.5 till km 199).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Gérardmer in the Rue Charles de Gaulle, just before the zig-zag in the city via the Rue Carnot, Boulevard Kelsch / Boulevard Adolphe Garnier, Rue Lucienne and the D486 - the climbs of this stage:    > Col de Grosse Pierre - 3rd category - km 112 - 3.1 km at 6.4%    > Col du Mont de Fourche - 3rd category - km 150.5 - 3.1 km at 6.4%    > La Planche des Belles Filles - 1st category - km 199 (finish) - 5.9 km at 8.5%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn at La Planche des Belles Filles at the end of a final straight line of 250 meters and its width is 5.5 meters, after a 5.9 km long climb at 8,5% of which the last 300 meters are at 14% average and containing a 60 meters portion at 20% - the press room will be in the Bâtiment Industriel, Route Départementale 4 - Champagney at 16 km from the finish while a press spot will be set up in the Salle des Fêtes de Plancher-les-Mines at 7 km from the finish

8/ Sunday 8 July 2012 - Belfort > Porrentruy (CH) - 157.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Rue Louis Aragon and Rue Xavier Bauer; crossing the finish line between 11.15AM and 11.40AM - riders sign-in: from 11.50AM till 12.50PM - start: Marché Fréry/Rue Georges Clemenceau at 1PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue Georges Clemenceau, Place Yitzhak Rabin, Faubourg des Ancêtres, Faubourg de Montbéliard, Boulevard Richelieu, Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Rue de Danjoutin, D23, DANJOUTIN, Rue du Bosmont, Rue des Anciens Combattants, Rue du Docteur Fréry, Rue du Docteur Jacquot, Place Roosevelt, Pont on the Savoureuse, Rue du Général de Gaulle, D19, Route de Montbéliard, BOTANS - km 0: 1.15PM on the D19, at 6.4 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Territoire de Belfort (from km 0 till km 4) and Doubs (from km 6.5 till km 64) in France and in Switzerland the Canton du Jura (from km 68 till km 107 and from km 119 till km 157.5) and the Canton du Berne (from km 109.5 till km 112.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Les Genevez in Switzerland at the entry of the village - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Bondeval - 4th category - km 20 - 4.4 km at 3.9%    > Côte du Passage de la Douleur - 3rd category - km 32 - 3.8 km at 6.4%    > Côte de Maison-Rouge - 2nd category - km 50 - 7.9 km at 5%    > Côte de Saignelégier - 2nd category - km 73 - 7.8 km at 6.1%    > Côte de Saulcy - 2nd category - km 97 - 4.6 km at 8.6%    > Côte de la Caquerelle - 2nd category - km 130.5 - 4.3 km at 7.6%    > Col de la Croix - 1st category - km 141.5 - 3.7 km at 9.2%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Route de Courtedoux at the end of a final straight line of 700 meters and its width is 6 meters - the press room will be in a tent at the former airport of Porrentruy next to the finish line

9/ Monday 9 July 2012 - Arc-et-Senans > Besançon - ITT - 41.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: cycling lanes and parking spots in the woods of Chaux; crossing the finish line between 8.40AM and 9.05AM - starts: Esplanade de la Saline Royale with riders starting every 2 minutes and every 3 minutes for the last 20 riders   > start of the first rider: 9.45AM (finish: 10.37AM)   > start of the last rider: 4.39PM (finish: 5.31PM)
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Boulevard Ouest at the end of a final straight line of 100 meters (last turn at 400 meters) and its width is 5.5 meters - the press room will be in Micropolis, in the middle of the last turn of the race route

R1/ Tuesday 10 July 2012 - rest day in Mâcon

• the press room will be at the Cité de l'Entreprise, 200 Boulevard de la Résistance in Mâcon and will be open from 11AM till 9PM

10/ Wednesday 11 July 2012 - Mâcon > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine - 194.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Avenue Édouard Herriot; crossing the finish line between 10.30AM and 10.55AM - riders sign-in: from 11.05AM till 12.05PM - start: Esplanade Lamartine at 12.15PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Quai Lamartine, Place Poissonnière, Rue Sigorgne, Rue de la Barre, Rue de l'Héritan, Rue du 11 Novembre 1918, Cours Moreau, Rue du 28 June 1944, Quai Jean Jaurès, Pont de Saint-Laurent, SAINT-LAURENT-SUR-SAÔNE, Route du Pont Vert, D51 - km 0: 12.25PM on the D51, at 4.2 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Saône-et-Loire (start) and Ain (km 4 till km 194.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Béon close to the Luyrieu area - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Corlier - 2nd category - km 90 - 6.4 km at 5.5%    > Col du Grand Colombier - hors category - km 151.5 - 17.4 km at 7.1%    > Col de Richemond - 3rd category - km 174 - 7.2 km at 5%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Avenue Saint-Exupéry at the end of a final straight line of 280 meters (last turn at 1.2 km) and its width is 6 meters - the press room will be in the Lycée Saint-Exupéry close to the finish

11/ Wednesday 12 July 2012 - Albertville > La Toussuire - Les Sybelles - 148 km

• the informations about the finish of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Parc du Nant Pottier; crossing the finish line between 11.20AM and 11.45AM - riders sign-in: from 11.55AM till 12.55PM - start: Parc Olympique / Avenue Joseph Fontanet at 1.05PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Avenue Joseph Fontanet, Rue Commandant Dubois, Rue Docteur Jean-Baptiste Mathias, Place Commandant Bulle, Rue de la République, Place de la Liberté, Rue Bugeaud, Quai des Allobroges, Pont des Adoubes, Place Charles Albert, Avenue de Tarentaise, Route de Tours, D990 - km 0: 1.20PM on the D990, at 6.3 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the department Savoie (from km 0 to km 148).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines in the Avenue de la Gare just after the riders passed the cemetery - the climbs of this stage:    > Col de la Madeleine - hors category - km 40 - 25.3 km at 6.2%    > Col de la Croix de Fer - hors category - km 93 - 22.4 km at 6.9%    > Col du Mollard - 2nd category - km 113 - 5.7 km at 6.8%    > La Toussuire - 1st category - km 148 (finish) - 18 km at 6.1%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn on the Rue des Fondeurs at the end of a final straight line of 160 meters and its width is 6 meters, after a final 18 km climb at 6.1% - the press room will be in a tent in La Toussuire close to the finish line

12/ Friday 13 July 2012 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Annonay Davézieux - 226 km

• the informations about the finish of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: just like in 2006, the advertising caravan parking will be on the Quai de l'Arvan; crossing the finish line between 9.15AM and 9.40AM - riders sign-in: from 9.50AM till 10.50AM - start: Place Fodéré / Rue de la Libération at 11.00AM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue de la Libération, D906, D1006 - km 0: 11.10AM on the D1006, at 3.6 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Savoie (from km 0 to km 54 and from km 80.5 to km 89.5), Isère (from km 61 to km 74 and from km 90 to km 159.5), Drôme (from km 167 to km 193.5) and finally the Ardèche (from km 194.5 to km 226).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Marcilloles in the Avenue des Alpes at the crossing with the Chemin des Contaminés - the climbs of this stage:    > Col du Grand Cucheron - 1st category - km 34 - 12.5 km at 6.5%    > Col du Granier - 1st category - km 80.5 - 9.7 km at 8.6%    > Côte d'Ardoix - 3rd category - km 207.5 - 5.9 km at 3.4%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn on the Rue de la Lombardière at the end of a final straight line of 400 meters and its width is 6 meters - the press room will be at the Espace Montgolfier at 1.3 km from the finish

13/ Saturday 14 July 2012 - Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d'Agde - 217 km

• the informations about the finish of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Parking Saint-Paul 2003 and omnisports terrain; crossing the finish line between 9.45AM and 10.10AM - riders sign-in: from 10.35AM till 11.35AM - start: Le Courreau at 11.45AM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: le Courreau, Place de la Libération, Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Avenue des Côteaux du Tricastin, D59, Route de Pierrelatte, PIERRELATTE (près), D59 - km 0: 11.55AM on the D59, at 5.5 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Drôme (from km 0 to km 1.5), Vaucluse (from km 7 to km 14), Gard (from km 17 to km 104.5) and Hérault (from km 109 to km 217).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Mas-de-Londres just before the entrance of the village on the Route de Saint-Mathieu - the climbs of this stage:    > Mont Saint-Clair - 3rd category - km 194 - 1.6 km at 10.2%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn on the Rond-Point du Bon Accueil at the end of a final straight line of 200 meters and its width is 6.5 meters - the press room will be in the Centre International de Tennis at 400 m from the finish

14/ Sunday 15 July 2012 - Limoux > Foix - 191 km

• the informations about the finish of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Place d'Aude; crossing the finish line between 10.35AM and 11.00AM - riders sign-in: from 11.10AM till 12.10PM - start: Esplanade François Mitterrand / Avenue Fabre d'Eglantine at 12.20PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Avenue Fabre d'Églantine, Avenue de Catalogne, D118 - km 0: 12.25PM on the D118, at 2.6 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Aude (from km 0 to km 55.5) and Ariège (from km 60 to km 191).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Tarascon-sur-Ariège in the Avenue Victor Pilhes, just after having passed the town hall - the climbs of this stage:    > Col du Portel - 2nd category - km 30 - 5.3 km at 6.3%    > Port de Lers - 1st category - km 126.5 - 11.4 km at 7%    > Mur de Péguère - 1st category - km 152.5 - 9.3 km at 7.9%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Allées de Villote at the end of a final straight line of 290 meters and its width is 6.5 meters - the press room will be in the covered Tennis court and in a tent in the Complexe Sportif de l'Ayroule at 1.5 km from the finish

15/ Monday 16 July 2012 - Samatan > Pau - 158.5 km

• the informations about the finish of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: parking de l'Enclos de l'Hôpital; crossing the finish line between 11.55AM and 12.20PM - riders sign-in: from 12.30PM till 1.30PM - start: Place des Cordeliers / Avenue de Lombez at 1.40PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Avenue de Lombez, D39, LOMBEZ, Boulevard des Pyrénées, Avenue des Trois Rois, D626 - km 0: 1.50PM on the D626, at 3.7 km from the start place
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Gers (from km 0 to km 89.5), Hautes-Pyrénées (from km 101.5 to km 110.5) and Pyrénées-Atlantiques (from km 114 to km 158.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Maubourguet at the end of the Avenue d'Auch just beforn a right turn towards the Rue du Régiment de Bigorre - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Lahitte-Toupière - 4th category - km 107 - 2.1 km at 5.3%    > Côte de Simacourbe - 3rd category - km 123,5 - 1.9 km at 6.3%    > Côte de Monassut-Audiracq - 4th category - km 129 - 1.5 km at 5.4%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn on the Place de Verdun (Rue du Maquis Le Béarn) at the end of a final straight line of 600 meters and its width is 8.5 meters - the press room will be in the Palais Beaumont at 1.5 km from the finish

R2/ Tuesday 17 July 2012 - rest day in Pau

• - the press room will be in the Palais Beaumont, Allée Alfred de Musset in Pau and will be open from 11.00AM till 9.00PM

16/ Wednesday 18 July 2012 - Pau > Bagnères-de-Luchon - 197 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Stade du Hameau; crossing the finish line between 9.20AM and 9.45AM - riders sign-in: from 9.55AM till 10.55AM - start: Palais Beaumont / Boulevard des Pyrénées at 11.05AM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Boulevard des Pyrénées, Rue Adoue, Rue Henri IV, Rue Sully, Rue Bordenave d'Abère, Place Gramont, Rue de Liège, Rue Bordelongue, Place de Verdun, Rue du Maquis de Béarn, Rue Bayard, Avenue du 18e Régiment d'Infanterie, Avenue Gaston Phoebus, JURANÇON, Avenue des Vallées, Rue du Colonel Gloxin, Rue Jacques Terrier, Rue du 14 July, Avenue Henri IV, N134 - km 0: 11.20AM on the N134, at 6.8 km from the start
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Pyrénées-Atlantiques (from km 0 to km 53,5), Hautes-Pyrénées (from km 63 to km 181,5) and the Haute-Garonne (from km 187 to km 197).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Bielle close to l'Ayguelade (where the camping is) - the climbs of this stage:    > Col d'Aubisque - hors category - km 53.5 - 16.4 km at 7.1%    > Col du Tourmalet (Souvenir Jacques Goddet) - hors category - km 120.5 - 19 km at 7.4%    > Col d'Aspin - 1st category - km 150.5 - 12.4 km at 4.8%    > Col de Peyresourde - 1st category - km 181.5 - 9.5 km at 6.7%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Boulevard Edmond Rostand at the end of a final straight line of 180 meters and its width is 6 meters - the press room will be in the Lycée Edmond Rostand and in the Gymnase at 600 m from the finish

17/ Thursday 19 July 2012 - Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes - 143.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Boulevard Dardenne / Place Lezat / Boulevard Edmond Rostand; crossing the finish line between 11.10AM and 11.35AM - riders sign-in: from 11.45AM till 12.45PM - start: Allées d'Étigny at 12.55PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Allées d'Étigny, Place Joffre, Avenue Carnot, Avenue Foch, Rue Alexander Fleming, Rue Clément Ader, Rue Louis Aragon, D125 - km 0: 1.00PM on the D125, at 2.9 km from the start
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Haute-Garonne (from km 0 to km 79 and from km 117.5 to km 137) and the Hautes-Pyrénées (from km 81 to km 111.5 and from km 139.5 to km 143.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Loures-Barouse on the Rue Nationale (not far from the Côte de Burs) - the climbs of this stage:    > Col de Menté - 1st category - km 27.5 - 9.3 km at 9.1%    > Col des Ares - 2nd category - km 55.5 - 6 km at 5.3%    > Côte de Burs - 3rd category - km 76 - 1.2 km at 7.6%    > Port de Balès - hors category - km 111.5 - 11.7 km at 7.7%    > Peyragudes - 1st category - km 142.5 - 15.4 km at 5.1%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn on the Plateforme Privilège at the end of a final straight line of 80 meters and its width is 6 meters - the press room will be in the Lycée Edmond Rostand and in the Gymnase in Bagnères-de-Luchon at 17 km from the finish

18/ Friday 20 July 2012 - Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde - 222.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Avenue du Parc; crossing the finish line between 9.20AM and 9h45AM - riders sign-in: from 9.55AM till 10.55AM - start: Parc des Ramiers / Rue Jean Moulin at 11.05AM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue Jean Moulin, Chemin des Ramiers, Rue Paul Valéry, Chemin de Barrieu, Rue François Carrière, Vieux chemin de Grenade, Rue Henri Matisse, Route de Grenade, Avenue Georges Brassens, Avenue George Sand, Avenue d'Andromède, Avenue d'Aéroconstellation, Rue André Beteille, D824, D902, D2 - km 0: 11.20AM on the D2, at 8.4 km from the start
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Haute-Garonne (from km 0 to km 10.5), Tarn-et-Garonne (from km 21 to km 81.5), Lot (from km 84 to km 193) and Corrèze (from km 196.5 to km 222.5).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Cahors on the Boulevard Léon Gambetta, which is slightly uphill - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Saint-Georges - 3rd category - km 67.5 - 1 km at 10.3%    > Côte de Cahors - 4th category - km 117.5 - 1 km at 7.8%    > Côte de Souillac - 4th category - km 180.5 - 2.2 km at 4.7%    > Côte de Lissac-sur-Couze - 4th category - km 212.5 - 1.9 km at 5.7%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Avenue Léo Lagrange at the end of a final straight line of 600 meters and its width is 6.5 meters - the press room will be at the Espace Derichebourg close to the finish

19/ Saturday 21 July 2012 - Bonneval > Chartres - 53.5 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Rue Saint-Gilles / Rue de la Croix Bougot; crossing the finish line between 9.25AM and 9.50AM - start: Rue de la Résistance; the riders will leave every 2 minutes, except for the last ones who will leave every 3 minutes; first start: 10.35AM / last start: 4.33PM - intermediate timing points: Mézières-au-Perche and Bailleau-le-Pin / feeding zone: Illiers-Combray
• visited department : This stage will cross the department Eure-et-Loire (from km 0 to km 53.5).
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Avenue Jean Mermoz at the end of a final straight line of 90 meters and its width is 5.5 meters - the press room will be in the Halle Jean Cochet close to the finish

20/ Sunday 22 July 2012 - Rambouillet > Paris - Champs-Elysées - 120 km

• the informations about the start of this stage : - advertising caravan parking: Centre commercial Carrefour Market; crossing the finish line between 12PM and 12.30PM - riders sign-in: from 12.50PM till 13.50PM - start: Place Félix Faure / Rue Chasles at 2PM - itinerary from the start to the km 0: Rue Chasles, Rue Sadi Carnot, Rue Gambetta, Rue Potocki, Rue de Penthièvre, Rue du Général de Gaulle, Place René Masson, Allée ouest du parc du Château, Rue Raymond Poincaré, Rue de la Motte, Rond-point du Souvenir Français, Place du 501e RCC, Rue de Groussay, D936 - km 0: 14h10 on the D936, at 4.2 km from the start
• departments visited during this stage : This stage will cross the departments Yvelines (from km 0 to km 39 and from km 43 to km 52.5), Essonne (around km 40.5), Hauts-de-Seine (from km 53 to km 61.5) and Paris (from km 63 to km 120).
• the sprint and the climbs of this stage - the sprint will take place in Paris on the heights of the Champs-Elysées - the climbs of this stage:    > Côte de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse - 4th category - km 36.5 - 1.1 km at 6.7%    > Côte de Châteaufort - 4th category - km 40.5 - 900 m at 4.5%
• the informations about the finish of this stage : - the finish line will be drawn in the Avenue des Champs-Elysées at the end of a final straight line of 400 meters and its width is 9 meters - the press room will be at the Hôtel Concorde La Fayette (where all riders will spend the night as well), 3 Place du Général Koenig, 75017 Paris at 4 km from the finish line

The race route of the Tour de France 2012 in Google Earth

Y a certaines classifications de cols qui m'intriguent : - Le col de la Croix, classé en 1C alors qu'un 2C aurait été plus approprié (Menté, Péguère et Granier, ayant un pourcentage similaire sur 9 km, sont aussi en 1C) - La côte de Corlier que j'aurais aussi mis en 3C (tout comme le col des Ares, qui est moins haut, plus court, à peine moins raide et pourtant c'est un 2C depuis longtemps). Et j'aurais à la limite mis le Richemond en 2C. Sinon en général les classifications sont bonnes, et le Grand Colombier qui devient la 36ème ascension Hors Catégorie de l'histoire du Tour, et le premier HC du Jura. C'est aussi le premier HC hors des Alpes et des Pyrénées depuis que le Puy de Dôme ne peut plus accueillir le Tour ! (Si on considère que le Ventoux fait partie des Alpes). D'ailleurs, en parlant du Jura, je crois que le Mont du Chat serait aussi un HC, au vu de ses pourcentages et de sa longueur.

A l'attention de Linkinito: le grand colombier se trouve dans l'ain et le mont du chat en savoie, tout les deux en région rhone alpes alors que le jura se trouve en region franche comté. Cordialement, Pierre

Pierre, je parlais du Jura en tant que massif montagneux, et non en tant que département ! Le Mont du Chat et le Grand Colombier, malgré leur proximité évidente avec les Alpes, font bel et bien partie de la chaîne de montagnes du Jura, comme l'atteste Wikipédia. Ils sont juste situés à son extrême Sud :)

Bonjour à tous.Si vous voulez voir tous les détails du parcours,alors rendez vous sur: letour.fr Cordialment Martin

Heb vorige zaterdag de slotklim naar La Planche des Belles Filles gereden! Dat wordt echt een spektakel klim. Denk inderdaad dat op het gloednieuwe asfalt aldaar de eerste klappen kunnen gaan vallen.

Een nieuwe asfaltlaag op La Planche was daar echt wel nodig. Zeer lastig. Boven is er evenwel NIETS, helemaal niets ! Gewoon een grote asfaltparking, beet je vergelijkbaar met Hautacam. Voor de toeschouwers wordt het drummen.

J'habite Liège et je suis encore très impatient à l'idée que le tour démarre encore une fois d'ici !!

Bonjour Je suis allé faire un tour du côté du final de l'étape de la Planche des Belles Filles (du col de la Chevestraye à l'arrivée) - la descente (environ 2 km) est rapide dans sa première partie, plus technique dans la seconde - dans le village de Plancher les Mines : les décos et panneaux d'interdiction fleurissent, la route a été entièrement rénovée dans les deux-tiers du village - dans la montée : une grosse moitié de la route a été refaite ; attention il sera impossible de se garer dans la montée, des navettes gratuites sont mises en place par le CG 70, il faut aller voir leur site J'ai fait quelques photos de la montée et de l'arrivée, si cela vous intéresse je peux les mettre en ligne si cela ne dérange pas Thomas j'ai reconnu également (là c'est plutôt pour les faiseurs de parcours) la montée de Belfahy : les dernières rampes sont terribles (un vrai mur à plus de 20 %, mais la route est parfois dégradée et il y pousse de l'herbe (si si..), le col des Chevrères : mis à part vers le haut où il y a quelques trous, la route est plutôt bonne et les pourcentages parfois vertigineux (un passage à 21 %, dur même en voiture !) Ah pour finir, j'avais une question Thomas : sauriez-vous à quelle heure ouvre le village-départ à Belfort, si cela est comme d'habitude marqué dans le road-book (le départ est à dix minutes à pied de chez moi : le top !) Bonne journée

Keen designers/bike enthusiasts should check out Team Sky's tee-shirt competition for a chance to see your design worn by the team's riders in the Tour De France: http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17545_7769478,00.html

@ Tony : Le Village-départ de Belfort (8ème étape) installé Place de la République, ouvrira ses portes à 10H.

Merci Thomas Digne de nos parcours avec cependant beaucoup plus de détails et de travails surtout . J'admire le travail produit , et pas que ici mais sur tout le site ...

Je n'arrive pas à voir le parcours sur Google Earth.. Je clique sur le lien mais rien ne s'affiche..

Pour Rambouillet : Rue Sadi Carnot au lieu de la rue de l'embarcadère et la voie communale des gardes/Allée ouest du parc du Château au lieu de la rue Raymond Poincaré Pour Paris : le circuit passe par l'intérieur de la place de la concorde et utilise le quai des tuileries au lieu de la voie Georges Pompidou.

Bonjour à tous ! Au cas où vous ne l'auriez pas encore rémarqué, les informations détaillées sur toutes les étapes sont maintenant publiées dans cet article. @marty (#4) : tu as de l'humour, faut l'avouer ... maintenant je pense que les internautes voient aussi bien que nous tous que toutes les informations qui figurent ci-dessus ne sont pas disponibles sur letour.fr. @Tomguiss (#7) : on se croisera peut-être en fin de semaine alors ;-). @Tony (#8) : ici vous ne pouvez pas publier des photos ; si vous pensez qu'elles sont intéressantes pour publication ici, n'hésitez pas à me les faire parvenir par mail à info @ velowire.com. Sinon, je confirme la réponse de seb36, c'est d'ailleurs un peu grâce à moi qu'il a pu vous répondre ;-). @hju (#12) : vous avez installé Google Earth ? Vous indiquez bien que vous souhaitez ouvrir le fichier avec Google Earth ? Je l'ai testé hier soir chez moi et ça fonctionne correctement. Le fichier que vous téléchargez est tout petit, afin de permettre une ouverture rapide dans Google Earth. Néanmoins, le fichier avec toutes les données est grand (1,5 Mo). Il faut donc laisser à Google Earth un peu de temps pour récupérer toutes les données (normalement il y a une icône "répertoire connecté" qui s'affiche avec une petite boule qui se balade en-dessous. @yves : OK pour Rambouillet, c'est corrigé. Pour Paris, même si c'est effectivement vrai (là où la ligne est tracée les coureurs passeront sur mes pieds à la Place de la Concorde puisqu'il y a les cars VIP à cet endroit), je n'avais pas réussi à le faire dessiner automatiquement par l'outil que j'utilise et j'avais la flemme de corriger. Je l'ai toujours et comme ça n'apporte pas grand chose comme information, je vais le laisser comme ça ... Bon Tour à tous !

Bonjour, Pour une fois,les organisateurs du Tour ont mit des cotes(deux) dans la derniere étape mais...à plus de 60 km. de l'arrivée au Champs Elysées donc cet étape sera enervante a voir.Ce serait pas mal et plus interessant d'arrivé à Monmartre.Qu'en pensez vous?Salutations. Martin

Marty, Le problème, c'est qu'à Montmartre, il n'y aurait pas la place de faire l'arrivée du Tour. Et puis ce serait moins clinquant qu'une arrivée sur les Champs-Élysées. Beaucoup disent ici que le seul moyen de rendre l'étape parisienne intéressante, serait de la mettre en CLM individuel comme en 1989.

@Thomas, bonjour merci pour la réponse. En fait tout est réglé. Il fallait que j'attende une petite minute pour que le parcours s'affiche ;)

Bonne idée,Linkinito Marty

@hju : c'est rassurant. En effet, selon le débit de la connexion Internet ça peut prendre un petit peu de temps puisque le fichier à charger contient quand même pas mal d'infos.

Nouveau site web pour le Tour de France : http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/fr/

Merci Thomas de nous faire partager tout cela !! Bon Tour 2012 ....

Depuis deux jours, Google Earth, a fait l'actualisation du parcours du Tour 2012, sur le lien qui figure sur votre fichier que j'avais déjà téléchargé, et tout a coup l'information a disparu. Quand j'essaie de télécharger à nouveau le parcours, le fichier arrive vide. Par le moment, comme j'avais les 4 premières étapes téléchargées, j'ai l'information jusqu'a mercredi 3 juillet, mais plus au delà j'en ai rien. Est-ce qu'il y a aucun problème avec le fichier complet? Merci, Thomas

Merci pour toute ces infos !! Excellents, encore merci

Résolu. Il avait un problème avec le routeur

Un énorme merci pour le tracé des étapes sur google earth, c'est génial.

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2012 Tour de France

99th edition: saturday, june 30 - sunday, july 22, 2012, results, stages with running gc, maps, photos, startlist.

2011 Tour | 2013 Tour | Tour de France Database | stage list with maps | Startlist with Backnumbers | Complete Final 2012 Tour GC |

Pre-race events | Prologue | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | S tage 4 | Stage 5 | Stage 6 | Stage 7 | Stage 8 | Stage 9 | Rest Day 1 | Stage 10 | Stage 11 | Stage 12 | Stage 13 | Stage 14 | Stage 15 | Rest Day 2 | Stage 16 | Stage 17 | Stage 18 | Stage 19 | Stage 20 |

Plato's dialogue Apology is available as an audiobook here. For the Kindle eBook just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Complete Final 2012 Tour de France General Classification:

In 2014 Denis Menchov was stripped of his 2009, 2010 and 2012 Tour placings because of irregularities with his biological passport.

• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 3min 21sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 6min 19sec
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 10min 15sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 11min 4sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 15min 41sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 15min 49sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 16min 26sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 16min 33sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 17min 17sec
• Andréas Klöden (Radi Shack-Nissan) @ 17min 54sec
• Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) @ 19min 33sec
• Christopher Horner (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 19min 55sec
• Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 25min 27sec
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) @ 27min 22sec
• Maxime Monfort (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 28min 30sec
• Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel) @ 31min 46sec
• Rui Alberto Faria da Costa (Movistar) @ 27min 3sec
• Eduard Vorganov (Katusha) @ 38min 16sec
• Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) @ 42min 26sec
• Jérôme Coppel (Saur-Sojasun) @ 45min 43sec
• Sandy Casar (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 46min 52sec
• Michael Rogers (Sky) @ 54min 52sec
• Michele Scarponi (Lampre) @ 58min 37sec
• Ivan Basso (Liquigas) @ 59min 44sec
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) @ 1hr 4min 41sec
• Peter Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 1hr 5min 10sec
• Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank) @ 1hr 5min 39sec
• Jelle Venedert (Lotto-Belisol) @ 1hr 8min 26sec
• Juan José Cobo (Movistar) @ 1hr 9min 19sec
• Alexandre Vinokoruov (Astana) @ 1hr 15min 21sec
• Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 1hr 16min 29sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 1hr 16min 52sec
• Richie Porte (Sky) @ 1hr 20min 49sec
• Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) @ 1hr 25min 23sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 1hr 27min 52sec
• Gianpaolo Caruso (Katusha) @ 1hr 28min 32sec
• George Hincapie (BMC) @ 1hr 30min 38sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 1hr 32min 19sec
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) @ 1hr 34min 33sec
• Rafel Valls (Vacansoleil) @ 1hr 37min 57sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) @ 1hr 38min 37sec
• Andriy Grivko (Astana) @ 1hr 38min 41sec
• Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r) @ 1hr 40min 44sec
• Amaël Moinard (BMC) @ 1hr 41min 0sec
• Philippe Gilbert (BMC) @ 1hr 41min 35sec
• Dominik Nerz (Liquigas) @ 1hr 42min 12sec
• Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 1hr 42min 39sec
• Michael Schär (BMC) @ 1hr 43min 53sec
• Sergio Paulinho (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 1hr 47min 14sec
• Yury Trofimov (Katusha) @ 1hr 47min 31sec
• Jens Voigt (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 1hr 50min 41sec
• Vladimir Karpets (Movistar) @ 1hr 51min 43sec
• Fabrice Jeandesboz (Saur-Sojasun) @ 1hr 52min 28sec
• Maxime Bouet (Ag2r) @ 1hr 52min 30sec
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) @ 1hr 52min 34sec
• Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) @ 1hr 55min 30sec
• Marcus Burghardt (BMC) @ 1hr 57min 39sec
• Davide Malacarne (Europcar) @ 1hr 57min 45sec
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Sharp) @ 1hr 58min 38sec
• Cyril Gautier (Europcar) @ 1hr 58min 55sec
• Mikael Cherel (Ag2r) @ 1hr 59min 53sec
• Dmitriy Fofonov (Astana) @ 2hr 3min 55sec
• Luis-Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) @ 2hr 5min 43sec
• Sébastien Minard (Ag2r) @ 2hr 6min 32sec
• Jérémy Roy (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 2hr 10min 17sec
• Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil) @ 2hr 11min 36sec
• Dries Devenyns (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 2hr 12min 22sec
• Simone Stortoni (Lampre) @ 2hr 13min 39sec
• Kevin De Weert (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 2hr 13min 49sec
• Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas) @ 2hr 16min 15sec
• Pieter Weening (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 2hr 17min 30sec
• Christophe Riblon (Ag2r) @ 2hr 17min 31sec
• Jorge Azanza (Euskaltel) @ 2hr 18min 58sec
• Guillaume Levarlet (Saur-Sojasun) @ 2hr 19min 43sec
• Yaroslav Popovych (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 2hr 21min 56sec
• Vasili Kiryienka (Movistar) @ 2hr 22min 2sec
• Andrey Keshechkin (Astana) @ 2hr 23min 9sec
• Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 2hr 24min 35sec
• Marco Marzano (Lampre) @ 2hr 24min 46sec
• Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol) @ 2hr 25min 29sec
• Christian Knees (Sky) @ 2hr 26min 43sec
• Christophe Kern (Europcar) @ 2hr 29min 1sec
• Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar) @ 2hr 29min 13sec
• Matthieu Ladagnous (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 2hr 33min 14sec
• Danilo Hondo (Lampre) @ 2hr 37min 55sec
• Ruben Perez (Euskaltel) @ 2hr 37min 56sec
• Martin Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 2hr 40min 47sec
• Blel Kadri (Ag2r) @ 2hr 41min 14sec
• Romain Zingle (Cofidis) @ 2hr 41min 44sec
• Brice Feillu (Saur-Sojasun) @ 2hr 41min 50sec
• Julien Simon (Saur-Sojasun) @ 2hr 46min 4sec
• Michael Morkov (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 2hr 46min 14sec
• Arthur Vichot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 2hr 46min 51sec
• Stephen Cummings (BMC) @ 2hr 47min 3sec
• Lars Bak (Lotto-Belisol) @ 2hr 48min 5sec
• Stuart O'Grady (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 2hr 50min 31sec
• Kristijan Koren (Liquigas) @ 2hr 51min 34sec
• Nicki Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 2hr 53min 11sec
• David Zabriskie (Garmin-Sharp) @ 2hr 53min 26sec
• Ruben Plaza (Movistar) @ 2hr 53min 35sec
• Francis De Greef (lotto-Belisol) @ 2hr 53min 52sec
• Koen De Kort (Argos-Shimano) @ 2hr 54min 13sec
• Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol) @ 2hr 55min 4sec
• Daniel Oss (Liquigas) @ 2hr 55min 24sec
• David Millar (Garmin-Sharp) @ 2hr 55min 24sec
• Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) @ 2hr 56min 2sec
• Luca Paolini (Katusha) @ 2hr 56min 21sec
• Manuel Quinziato (BMC) @ 2hr 56min 21sec
• Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 2hr 57min 20sec
• Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 2hr 57min 20sec
• Jérôme Pineau (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 2hr 57min 58sec
• Matthieu Sprick (Argos-Shimano) @ 2hr 58min 15sec
• Federico Canuti (Liquigas) @ 2hr 58min 41sec
• Kris Boeckmans (Vacansoleil) @ 3hr 2min 37sec
• Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) @ 3hr 3min 38sec
• Baden Cooke (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 3hr 4min 30sec
• Alessandro Vanotti (Liquigas) @ 3hr 4min 39sec
• Joan Horrach (Katusha) @ 3hr 6min 27sec
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 3hr 6min 55sec
• Nick Nuyens (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 3hr 8min 29sec
• Sébastien Hinault (Ag2r) @ 3hr 8min 57sec
• André Greipel (lotto-Belisol) @ 3hr 9min 2sec
• Gregory Henderson (Lotto-Belisol) @ 3hr 13min 6sec
• Bert Grabsch (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 3hr 13min 6sec
• Anthony Roux (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3hr 16min 38sec
• Anders Lund (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 2hr 17min 7sec
• Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) @ 3hr 17min 16sec
• Borut Bozic (Astana) @ 3hr 17min 44sec
• Lusi Angel Mate (Cofidis) @ 3hr 18min 11sec
• Jean Marc Marino (Saur-Sojasun) @ 3hr 18min 20sec
• Marcel Sieberg (Lotto-Belisol) @ 3hr 19min 36sec
• Cedric Pineau (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3hr 20min 24sec
• Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel) @ 3hr 21min 34sec
• Roy Curvers (Argos-Shimano) @ 3hr 23min 44sec
• Cyril Lemoine (Saur-Sojssun) @ 3hr 23min 55sec
• Jonathan Cantwell (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 3hr 25min 8sec
• Yann Huguet (Argos-Shimano) @ 3hr 26min 43sec
• Yohann Gene (Europcar) @ 3hr 26min 58sec
• Juan José Haedo (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 3hr 27min 28sec
• Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano) @ 3hr 27min 49sec
• Mark Cavendish (Sky) @ 3hr 28min 36sec
• Karsten Kroon (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 3hr 28min 56sec
• Bram Tankink (Rabobank) @ 3hr 31min 24sec
• Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Katusha) @ 3hr 38min 24sec
• Bernhard Eisel (Sky) @ 3hr 38min 48sec
• Johan Van Summeren (Garmin-Sharp) @ 3hr 40min 1sec
• Albert Timmer (Argos-Shimano) @ 3hr 40min 37sec
• Julien Fouchard (Cofidis) @ 3hr 42min 31sec
• Sebastian Langeveld (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 3hr 50min 12sec
• Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) @ 3hr 54min 45sec
• Jan Ghyselinck (Cofidis) @ 3hr 57min 4sec
• Jimmy Engoulvent (Saur-Sojasun) @ 3hr 57min 36sec
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar): 135 points
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 123
• Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff): 77
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar): 63
• Alejandro Valverde (Movistar): 51
• Christopher Froome (Sky): 48
• Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel): 43
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat): 40
• Brice Feillu (Saur-Sojasun): 38
• Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp): 34
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 421 points
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 280
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 268
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 220
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 160
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky): 144
• Christopher Froome (Sky): 126
• Luis-Leon Sanchez (Rabobank): 104
• Juan José Haedo (Saxo-Tinkoff): 102
• Cadel Evans (BMC): 100
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 87hr 45min 46sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 6min 13sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 1hr 5min 48sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 1hr 16min 48sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Wuskaltel) @ 1hr 21min 15sec
• Rafael Valls (Vacansoleil) @ 1hr 26min 53sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) @ 1hr 27min 33sec
• Dominik Nerz (Liquigas) @ 1hr 31min 8sec
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) @ 1hr 41min 30sec
• Davide Malacarne (Europcar) @ 1hr 46min 41sec

Team Classification:

• Radio Shack-Nissan: 263hr 12min 1sec
• Sky @ 5min 54sec
• BMC @ 36min 36sec
• Astana @ 43min 35sec
• Liquigas @ 1hr 4min 58sec
• Movistar @ 1hr 8min 16sec
• Europcar @ 1hr 8min 46sec
• Katusha @ 1hr 12min 46sec
• FDJ-Big Mat @ 1hr 19min 30sec
• Ag2r @ 1hr 41min 15sec

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Stages with results, photos, maps, profiles and rated climbs:

Thursday, July 28: Pre-race ceremonies

Teams' pre-race press conference photos

Teams presentation ceremony

Prologue, Saturday, June 30: Liège 6.4 km Individual Time Trial

More results and lots of photos

The Race: Sylvain Chavanel produced an outstanding ride that held up until Bradley Wiggins beat him by .42 seconds. Then Fabian Cancellara rolled off. At the half-way point he was a second ahead of Wiggins but in the final kilometers, he roared away, grabbing six seconds in the short distance remaining, an incredible ride.

World time trial champion Tony Martin suffered a flat tire and what looked like a slow bike change while Peter Sagan overcooked the 180-degree turn and had to unclip his pedal to keep from going down.

• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 7min 13sec. 53.2 km/hr
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) @ 7sec
• Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) s.t. (almost a half-second slower)
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 10sec
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) @ 11sec
• Brett Lancaster (Orica-GreenEdge) s.t.
• Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano) @ 12sec
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) @ 13sec
• Philippe Gilbert (BMC) s.t.
• Andriy Grivko (Astana) @ 15sec
• more results
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan): 20 points
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky): 17
• Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step): 15
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC): 13
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 11
• Brett Lancanster (Orica-GreenEdge): 10
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 7min 23sec
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) @ 1sec
• Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano) @ 2sec
• Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) @ 11sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 12sec
• Sky: 22min 13sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan @ 4sec
• Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 13sec
• Orica-GreenEdge @ 19sec

Prologue map

Prologue Profile

Stage 1, Sunday, July 1: Liège - Seraing, 198 km

• Km 42.0: Côte de Cokaifagne, 2.9 km @ 5.1% - Category 4
• Km 49.0: Côte de Francorchamps, 1.1 km @ 6.4% - Category 4
• Km 94.0: Côte de Lierneux, 2.1 km @ 5.1% - Category 4
• Km 139.0: Côte de Barvaux, 1.6 km @ 4.2 % - Category 4
• Km 198.0: Côte de Seraing, 2.4 km @ 4.7% - Category 4

The Race: A 6-man break went away early, but Radio Shack-Nissan kept them on a carefully managed leash. Before they were caught, Michael Morkov, first to the top of the day's first three rated climbs, became the 2012 Tour's first KOM.

The field hit the final Côte de Seraing at full speed. Sylvain Chavanel tried to escape, but was brought back. With less than 2 km to go Fabian Cancellara let loose about a million watts, but it wasn't enough to keep Peter Sagen from getting on his wheel. Sagen refused to help Cancellara who was again in the position of dragging a quicker man to the finish. Edvald Boasson Hagen clawed his way up to the two, but was not a factor in the sprint, which Sagen easily won.

• Peter Sagen (Liquigas) 4hr 58min 19sec. 39.8 km/hr
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) s.t.
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) s.t.
• Philppe Gilbert (BMC) s.t.
• Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) s.t.
• Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) s.t.
• Robert Gesink (Rabobank) s.t.
• Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) s.t.
• Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) s.t.
• Dries Devenyns (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) s.t.
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 5hr 5min 32sec
• Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) s.t.
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 17sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 18sec
• Michael Morkov (Saxo-Tinkoff): 3 points
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas): 1
• Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel): 1
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan): 55 points
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 49
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 42
• Philippe Gilbert (BMC): 33
• Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step): 23
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 5hr 5min 42sec
• Wouter Poels (Vacansoleil) @ 14sec
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas) s.t.
• Sky: 15hr 17mi 10sec
• Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 13sec
• Garmin-Sharp @ 23sec

Stage 1 map

Stage 1 profile

Stage 2, Monday, July 2: Visé - Tournai, 207.5 km

More results and photos

The Race: With about 15 kilometers to go, the last of the day's break was rolled up and the sprinters' team started to make things hot. Lotto-Belisol was especially energetic, hoping for something good from André Greipel. Trying to keep things strung out, and therefore safer, Cadel Evans' BMC squad thrashed themselves at the front as well. In the end it came down to a drag race between Mark Cavendish and André Greipel, which Cavendish won.

GC leader Fabian Cancellara finished in the pack and remains in yellow.

• Mark Cavendish (Sky) 4hr 56min 59sec. 41.9km/hr
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) s.t.
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) s.t.
• Tom Veelers (Argos-Shimano)
• Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) s.t.
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) s.t.
• Yauheni Hutarovich (FDJ-Big Mat) s.t.
• Juan José Haedo (Saxo-Tinkoff) s.t.
• Mark Renshaw (Rabobank) s.t.
• Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) s.t.
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 10hr 2min 31sec
• Michael Morkov (Saxo-Tinkoff): 4 points
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas): 78 points
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 63
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan): 55
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 52
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 10hr 2min 41sec
• Sky: 30hr 8min 7sec

Stage 2 map

Stage 2 profile

Stage 3, Tuesday, July 3: Orchies - Boulogne sur Mer, 197 km. Medium mountains.

• Km 132.0: Côte de L'Éperche - 0.7 km @ 6.9% - Category 4
• Km 163.5: Côte de Mont Violette - 1.0 km @ 9.2% - Category 3
• Km 181.0: Côte de Herquelingue - 1.7 km @ 5.8% - Category 4
• Km 185.0: Côte de Quéhen - 1.4 km @ 5.9% - Category 4
• Km 190.5: Côte du Mont Lambert - 1.3 km @ 8.4% - Category 3
• Km 197.0: Boulogne-sur-Mer - 0.7 km @ 7.4% - Category 4

The Race: Flat tires and crashes, including one near the finish line, tormented the riders today. The day's break, containing KOM Michael Morkov, rolled off early and was able to stay away most of the stage. But Liquigas knew this race had Peter Sagan written all over it, so they collaborated with RadioShack-Nissan to keep the break on a short leash.

The most dramatic move of the day came from Sylvain Chavanel, who jumped with 5 km to go. He never got enough of a lead to stay away, and when the final slope reared up, he was swallowed by the pack. Michael Albasini rolled the dice, but with Sagan on his wheel, he and the rest were doomed. Sagan jumped and got a large enough gap to showboat across the line.

• Peter Sagen (Liquigas) 4hr 42min 58sec. 41.8 km/hr
• Peter Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) s.t.
• Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) s.t.
• Cadel Evans (BMC) s.t.
• Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) s.t.
• Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) s.t.
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) s.t.
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 14hr 45min 30sec
• Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) s.t.
• Andréas Klöden (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 19min
• Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) @ 21sec
• Michael Morkov (Saxo-Tinkoff): 9 points
• Ivan Basso (Liquigas): 2
• Tony Gallopin (Radio Shack-Nissan): 1
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas): 86 points
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 73
• Fabian Cancellara: 55
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 55
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 42
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 14hr 45min 40sec
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas) @ 13sec
• Sky: 44hr 17min 4sec
• Liquigas @ 29sec

Stage 3 map

Stage 3 profile

Stage 4, Wednesday, July 4: Abbeville - Rouen, 214.5 km

• Km 38.0: Côte du Mont Huon - 2.1 km climb @ 4.1 % - Category 4
• Km 69.0: Côte de Dieppe - 1.8 km climb @ 3.9 % - Category 4
• Km 74.0: Côte de Pourville-sur-Mer - 1.9 km climb @ 4.4 % - Category 4
• Km 143.0: Côte de Toussaint - 1.9 km climb @ 4.5 % - Category 4

The Race: This nervous Tour de France continued to be dogged with trouble. For most of the day David Moncoutié, Yukiya Arashiro and Anthony Delaplace were away. After they were swept up with less than 10 kilometers to go, Sylvain Chavanel put in a monster attack. But everything was together for what looked to be another big-gear drag race between André Greipel and Mark Cavendish. It wasn't to be. With less than 3 km to go, a monster crash took down or delayed Cavendish and many other riders. With Lotto-Belisol's sprint train working perfectly, the race was between Alessandro Petacchi and Greipel, with Greipel taking the win.

Fabian Cancellara retained his 7-second lead over Bradley Wiggins and Sylvain Chavanel in the General Classification.

• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) 5hr 18min 32sec. 40.4 km/hr
• Tom Veelers (Argos-Shimano) s.t.
• Jonathan Cantwell (Saxo-Tinkoff) s.t.
• Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) s.t.
• Kris Boeckmans (Vacansoleil) s.t.
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (sky) s.t.
• Ruben Perez (Euskaltel) s.t.
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 20hr 4min 2sec
• Denis Menchov (Katusha ) @ 13sec
• Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) @ 18sec
• Andréas Klöden (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 19sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 2
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis): 2
• Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun): 2
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 147 points
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 92
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 87
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 86
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 81
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC): 20hr 4min 12sec
• Edvald Boasson hagen (Sky) @ 1sec
• Sky: 60hr 12min 40sec
• Liquigas-Cannondale @ 29sec

Stage 4 map

Stage 4 profile

Stage 5, Thursday, July 5: Rouen - Saint Quentin, 196.5 km

More Stage 5 Results and photos

The Race: The peloton let a four-man break stay away until the final kilometer. A rise shortly before the finish probably took away some of Mark Cavendish's speed. Also, with less than three kilometers to go there was a crash which delayed Peter Sagen. That left the field open to André Greipel and his Lotto-Belisol team, who timed things perfectly.

Fabian Cancellara retained his lead in the General Classification. With a single category four climb tomorrow, Cancellara will probably retain the Yellow Jersey until Saturday, when the stage ends with a hilltop finish at the top of the first category La Planche des Belles Filles.

• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) 4hr 41min 28sec. 41.9 km/hr
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-Green Edge) s.t.
• Juan José Haedo (Saxo-Tinkoff)
• Mark Cavendish (Sky) s.t.
• Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) s.t.
• Oscar Freire (Katusha) s.t.
• Sébastien Hinault (Ag2r) s.t.
• Yohann Gene (Europcar) s.t.
• Matthieu Ladagnous (FDJ-Big Mat) s.t.
• Borut Bozic (Astana) s.t.
• Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Vacansoleil) s.t.
• Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel) s.t.
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 24hr 45min 30sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 19se
• Andréas Klöden (Radio shack-Nissan) @ 19sec
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas): 2
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 155 points
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 137
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 132
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 119
• Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre): 91
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 24hr 45min 42sec
• Sky: 74hr 17min 10sec

Stage 5 map

Stage 5 profile

Stage 6, Friday, July 6: Épernay - Metz, 205 km

The Race: It should have been a final, easy flat stage before tomorrow's hilltop finish. A 4-man break wasn't cleaned up completely until less than a kilometer to when holdout David Zabriskie was caught. The final sprint was a race between Peter Sagen and André Greipel, which Sagen won.

But the bigger story was a huge crash with about 20 kilometers to go. It seemed to happen on a slightly downhill portion, when speeds were rather high. The road was blocked by the carnage and service cars couldn't get to their riders to give them new bikes. It was heartbreaking to watch Frank Schleck and the rest wait 2 1/2 minutes before they could get going again. They chased hard, but by then the sprinters' team were driving the peloton hard. Most of the contenders caught in the crash, Scarponi, Rolland, Valverde, Schleck, Brajkovic, lost 2 minutes and 9 seconds. Ryder Hesjedal finished more than 13 minutes after Sagen won the stage.

• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) 4hr 37min 0sec. 44.9 km/hr
• Greg Henderson (Lotto-Belisol) s.t.
• Luca Paolini (Katusha) s.t.
• Brett Lancaster (Orica-GreenEdge) @ 4sec
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) 29hr 22min 36sec
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas) @ 19sec
• Andréas Klöden (Radio Shack-Nissan) s.t.
• Maxime Monfort (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 22sec
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas): 209 points
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 178
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 167
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 129
• Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre): 109
• Tejay Van Gardeen (BMC) 29hr 22min 46sec
• Peter Sagen (Liquigas) @ 9sec
• Tony Gallopin (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 1min 28sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 1min 47sec
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) @ 2min 6sec
• Sky: 88hr 8min 22sec
• Liquigas @ 25sec

Stage 6 map

Stage 6 profile

Stage 7, Saturday, July 7: Tomblaine - La Planche des Belles Filles, 199 km. Medium mountains

• Km 112.0: Col de Grosse Pierre, 3.1 @ 6.4% - Category 3
• Km 150.5: Col du Mont de Fourche (620 m), 3.1 km @ 6.4% - Category 3
• Km 199.0: La Planche des Belles Filles, 5.9 km @ 8.5% (final meters are 14%) - Category 1
• More results and pictures

The Race: The day's break was caught as the final climb, La Planche des Belles Filles, began to bite. Sky's Edvald Bossan Hagen set a furious pace on the climb's lower slopes and shelled may riders. But it was Sky's next rider, Christopher Froome, who probably changed the entire complexion of the Tour when he broke the legs of all but eight riders. There were surprising losers today. Pierre Rolland struggled and Denis Menchov and Frank Schleck looked to have their Tour chances reduced. Jurgen van den Broeck and Alejandro Valverde had mechanicals just before the climb.

Before the final turn Cadel Evans attacked. Froome was able to pass him while Bradley Wiggins held his wheel. Froome surged for the win and Wiggins became the new Yellow Jersey.

Fabian Cancellara gave it a go, but the steepness of the hill was too much for the big guy.

• Christopher Froome (Sky) 4hr 58min 35sec. 40.0 km/hr
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 2sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) s.t.
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 7sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 19sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 44sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 46sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) s.t.
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) @ 50sec
• Maxime Monfort (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 56sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 34hr 21min 20sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 10sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 16sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 32sec
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) @ 54sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 59sec
• Maxime Monfort (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 1min 9sec
• Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) @ 1min 22sec
• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 1min 32sec
• Michael Rogers (Sky) @ 1min 40sec
• Christopher Froome (Sky): 20 points
• Cadel Evans (BMC): 16
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky): 12
• Michael Morkov (Saxo-Tinkoff): 9
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas): 8
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 217 points
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 185
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 172
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis): 34hr 21min 52sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 2min 37sec
• Tony Gallopin (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 2min 41sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3min 35sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 3min 38sec
• Sky: 103hr 5min 23sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan @ 1min 37sec
• Katusha @ 5min 54sec
• Liquigas @ 6min 16sec
• BMC @ 7min 8sec

Stage 7 map

Stage 7 profile

Stage 8, Sunday, July 8: Belfort - Porrentruy, 157.5 km. Medium mountains

• Km 20.0: Côte de Bondeval, 4.4 km @ 3.9% - Category 4
• Km 32.0: Côte du Passage de la Douleur, 3.8 km @ 6.4% - Category 3
• Km 50.0: Côte de Maison-Rouge, 7.9 km @ 5% - Category 2
• Km 73.0: Côte de Saignelégier, 7.8 km @ 6.1% - Category 2
• Km 97.0: Côte de Saulcy, 4.6 km @ 8.6% - Category 2
• Km 130.5: Côte de la Caquerelle (834 m), 4.3 km @ 7.6% - Category 2
• Km 141.5: Col de la Croix (789 m), 3.7 km @ 9.2% - Category 1

More results and photos from Stage 8

The Race: What a day! Astana's Fredrik Kessiakoff was away and alone on the first category Col de la Croix when the youngest rider in the peloton, Thibaut Pinot caught and passed him. Pinot went over the climb with about 20 seconds on Kessiakoff and several minutes on the peloton. He drove for home with his director, Marc Madiot (1985, 1991 Paris-Roubaix winner), screaming at him from the team car. When he was in sight of the flamme rouge , Madiot shouted to him that he was going to win the stage, which he did. Terrific ride.

Back at the ranch, the speed the peloton went up the Col de la Croix was so fierce there were only 8 riders together at the top, and they were the real contenders for this Tour. On the descent Vincenzo Nibali tried to get a gap, but he couldn't open up any real space. I'm sure there will be more of that in days to come.

In the run-in to the finish Jurgen Van Den Broeck escaped and Cadel Evans went after him, prompting a furious chase by Bradley Wiggins. They were together for the field sprint, which Evans won.

Wiggins goes into tomorrow's time trial in the lead, allowing him to ride last. Samuel Sanchez crashed badly today. He will not be able to defend his Olympic road race gold medal.

• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) 3hr 56min 10sec. 40.0 km/hr
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 26sec
• Tony Gallopin (Radio Shack-Nissan) s.t.
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) s.t.
• Christopher Froome (Sky) s.t.
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) s.t.
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) s.t.
• Frank Schleck (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 30sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 38hr 17min 56sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) 2 10sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio shack-Nissan) @ 59sec
• Maxime Monfort (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 2min 8sec
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 2min 11sec
• Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) @ 2min 21sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 2min 27sec
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 21 points
• Christopher Froome (Sky): 20
• Cadel Evans (BMC): 18
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat): 16
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) 38hr 20min 23sec
• Tony Gallopin (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 46sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 1min 14sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 1min 41sec

Stage 8 map

Stage 8 profile

Stage 9, Monday, July 9: Arc et Senans - Besançon 41.5 km Individual Time Trial

More results and lots of pictures

• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 51min 24sec. 48.4 km/hr
• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 35sec
• Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 57sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 1min 6sec
• Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 1min 24sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 1min 43sec
• Peter Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 1min 59sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 2min 7sec
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) @ 2min 8sec
• Andréas Klöden (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 2min 9sec
• more results and pictures
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 39hr 9min 20sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 1min 53sec
• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 2min 7sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 2min 23sec
• Denis Menchov (Katusha) @ 3min 2sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 3min 19sec
• Maxime Monfort (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 4min 23sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 5min 14sec
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 5min 20sec
• Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) @ 5min 29sec
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 21points
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 39hr 14min 34sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 42sec
• Tony Gallopin (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 45sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3min 39sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 5min 11sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 117hr 36min 25sec
• Sky @ 1min 25sec
• Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 13min 25sec
• Liquigas @ 16min 6sec
• Katusha @ 16min 23sec

Stage 9 map

Stage 9 profile

Rest Day: Tuesday, July 10

Stage 10, Wednesday, July 11: Mâcon - Bellegarde sur Valserine, 194.5 km. High mountains

• Km 90.0: Côte de Corlier, 6.4 km @ 5.5% - Category 2
• Km 151.5: Col du Grand Colombier (1501 m), 17.4 km @ 7.1% - Category H
• Km 174.0: Col de Richemond, 7.2 km @ 5% - Category 3

The Race: A block of 25 riders got away early and worked well together. The escape broke up on the Col du Gran Colombier with Michele Scarponi, Luis-Leon Sanchez, Dreis Devenyns and Thomas Voeckler going over the top first. They stayed together to the end with the surprise addition of Jens Voigt, who caught them shortly after the descent of the final hill, the Col de Richemond.

The members of the front break each tried to take off at some point. But in the ascent to the finish, it was the hardest working member of the break, Thomas Voeckler, who stayed away. Because he was first over the Colombier and Richemond, Voeckler is the new KOM.

In the Yellow Jersey group, Sky set the pace on the climbs. But on the descent of the Colombier, Vicenzo Nibali got a large gap. He connected with teammate Peter Sagan, who had been in the original break of 25. The two did a superb descent of the difficult and narrow Gran Colombier. Sagan helped as much as he could, but once the Richemond started to bite, he had to sit up. Shortly thereafter, the Yellow Jersey Group with Evans, led by Richie Porte, caught Nibali. Evens tried to get away on the climb to the finish, but Wiggins was on him instantly. Wiggins will start tomorrow's stage in yellow.

• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) 4hr 46min 26sec. 40.7 km/hr
• Michele Scarponi (Lampre) @ 3sec
• Jens Voigt (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 7sec
• Luis-Leon Sanchez @ 23sec
• Dries Devenyns (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 30sec
• Sandy Casar (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 2min 44sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) s.t.
• Jurgen Van Den broeck (Lotto-Belisol) s.t.
• Dmitriy Fofonov (Astana) @ 2min 52sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3min 16sec
• Bradley Wiggins (sky) s.t.
• more results and photos
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 43hr 59min 2sec
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 4min 48sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 5min 31sec
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar): 28 points
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 21
• Michele Scarponi (Lampre): 21
• Jens Voigt (Radio Shack-Nissan): 18
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 232 points
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 205
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 44hr 4min 33sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 25sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3min 22sec
• Rafael Valls (Vacansoleil @ 19min 1sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) @ 27min 7sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 132hr 2min 22sec
• Sky @ 4min 58sec
• BMC @ 22min 6sec
• Astana @ 25min 56sec
• Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 26min 0sec

Stage 10 map

Stage 10 profile

Stage 11, Thursday, July 12: Albertville - La Toussuire/ Les Sybelles, 148 km. High mountains

• Km 40.0: Col de la Madeleine (2000 m), 25.3 km @ 6.2% - Category H
• Km 93.0: Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 m), 22.4 km @ 6.9% - Category H
• Km 113.0: Col du Mollard (1638 m), 5.7 km @ 6.8% - Category 2
• Km 148.0: LA TOUSSUIRE, 18.0 km @ 6.1% - Category 1

The Race: Surviving from an early break, Europcar's Pierre Rolland gave his team a second stage victory in a row when he finished nearly a minute ahead of his chasers. This win came despite a fall on a descent.

But the real news was the carnage the mountainous stage inflicted on several hopefuls, most notably Cadel Evans. Evans attacked without success on the Croix de Fer, having brought a knife to today's gunfight.

On the final climb, after the Yellow Jersey group had been reduced to a few, Evans astonished all by being dropped. Teammate Tejay Van Garderen, holder of the White Jersey, dropped back to shephard him to the finish.

Even Wiggins showed weakness when Chris Froome jumped near the finish, taking Vincenzo Nibali, but not his captain Wiggins. Froome slowed to let Wiggins get back on.

Scrolling down the results, one can see Scarponi, Klöden, Valverde, Leipheimer and Menchov suffered significant time losses. The end result was Wiggins now has a tighter grip on the lead and Christopher Froome is in second place.

• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) 4hr 43min 54sec. 31.3 km/hr
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat)@ 55sec
• Chris Froome (Sky) s.t.
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 57sec
• Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 1min 8sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 1min 58sec
• Vasili Kiryienka (Movistar) @ 2min 13sec
• Frank Schleck (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 2min 23sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) s.t.
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 48hr 43min 53sec
• Chris Froome (Sky) @ 2min 5sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 3min 19sec
• Haimar Zubledia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 6min 15sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 6min 57sec
• Jenez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 7min 30sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 8min 31sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 8min 51sec
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 66 points
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar): 55
• Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff): 39
• Michele Scarponi (Lampre): 33
• Christopher Froome (Sky): 32
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 48hr 50min 50sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 1min 54sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 23min 50sec
• Rafael Valls (Vacansoleil) @ 30min 51sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 38min 23sec
• Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 26min 0sec

Stage 11 map

Stage 11 profile

Stage 12, Friday, July 13: St Jean de Maurienne - Annonay Davézieux, 226 km. Medium mountains

• Km 34.0: Col du Grand Cucheron (1188 m), 12.5 km @ 6.5% - Category 1
• Km 80.5: Col du Granier (1134 m), 9.7 km @ 8.6% - Category 1
• Km 207.5: Côte d'Ardoix, 5.9 km @ 3.4% - Category 3

The Race: An early break of 17 was whittled down to five (David Millar,Robert Kiserlovski, Jean-Christophe Peraud, Egoi Martinez and Cyril Gautier) by the Grand Cucheron and Granier ascents. The quintet worked together with no screwing around until about four kilometers to go. As the road turned uphill for the finish, the attacks started, the winning move being initiated by Peraud. Millar bridged while the others watched. That was the race. Millar did most of the remaining work and then won the sprint.

Sky had an easy day defending the Yellow Jersey. When Peter Sagan got in a break that was bridging up to the Millar Group, Orica-GreenEdge shut it down, protecting Matthew Harley Goss' attempt to take the green Jersey from Sagen.

The Yellow Jersey group took it easy after neutralizing Sagan, coming in almost eight minutes after Millar's win. Goss and Sagen sprinted for the remaining Green Jersey points, but Goss threw a nasty hook on his way to winning the sprint. Goss was relegated for his foul and now Sagen has a large and perhaps unassailable lead in the Points Competition.

Bradley Wiggins will start tomorrow in Yellow.

• David Millar (Garmin-Sharp) 5hr 42min 46sec. 39.6 km/hr
• Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r) s.t.
• Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel) @ 5sec
• Cyril Gautier (Europcar) @ 6sec
• Robert Kiserlovski (Astana) s.t.
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) @ 7min 53sec
• Sébastien Hinault (Ag2r) @ 7min 54sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 54hr 34min 33sec
• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 2min 5sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 6min 15sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 7min 30sec
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 66points
• Robert Kiserlovski (Astana): 37
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 254 points
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 198
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 181
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 54hr 41min 30sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 27min 55sec
• Rafael Valls (Vacansoleil) @ 35min 36sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 42min 28sec
• Radio Shack: 163hr 56min 13sec
• Sky @ 12min 38sec
• Astana @ 24min 33sec
• BMC @ 35min 14sec
• Movistar @ 39min 16sec

Stage 12 map

Stage 12 profile

Stage 13, Saturday, July 14: Saint Paul Trois Châteaux - Le Cap d'Agde, 217 km

The Race: When the race hit the day's only rated climb, the Mont St Clair, Michael Morkov was about a minute ahead of a unified peloton. The hill turned out to be steeper and more difficult than its third Category ranking led many to believe. Morkov's legs got soft mid-way up the climb as the Cadel Evans-led pack stormed by him.

Evans got a small gap on Wiggins, who unhurriedly closed by up to him. Over the top, a lot of damage had been done by the leaders' searing pace. Several sprinters were gapped, including Mark Cavendish. André Griepel was the penultimate rider of the first group to go over.

On the descent, the speed was kept high. The final kilometers to the finish were hit by side winds that kept the peloton from regrouping. Alexandre Vinokourov and Michael Albasini roared off down the road, chased by Lotto-Belisol who wanted to set things up for Greipel. After the duo were caught, it was one attack after another. The stage was being raced like a Spring Classic.

In the final kilometer Bradley Wiggins brought things together for Sky's remaining sprinter, Edvald Boassan Hagen. But the sprint was between Greipel and Peter Sagen, with Griepel taking a close win. Sagen's second place along with the 30 points deducted from Matthew Harley Goss yesterday for irregular sprinting probably sews up the Green Jersey for Sagen, assuming he can get to Paris without misfortune.

Bradley Wiggins easily defended his lead and will start tomorrow's stage in yellow.

• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) 4hr 57min 59sec. 43.7km/hr
• Julien Simon (Saur-Sojasun) s.t.
• Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil) s.t.
• Danilo Hondo (Lampre) s.t.
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 59hr 32min 32sec
• Christopher Froome ky) @ 2min 5sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 296 points
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 232
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 203
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 125
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 59hr 39min 29sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 41min 49sec
• Rafael Valls (Vacansoleil) @ 49min 40sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 54min 59sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 163hr 56min 13sec

Stage 13 map

Stage 13 profile

Stage 14, Sunday, July 15: Limoux - Foix, 191 km. High mountains

• Km 30.0: Col du Portel (601 m), 5.3 km @ 6.3% - Category 2
• Km 126.5: Port de Lers (1517 m), 11.4 km @ 7% - Category 1
• Km 152.5: Mur de Péguère (1375 m), 9.3 km @ 7.9% - Category 1

The Race: Tacks were scattered on the road near the top of the Mur de Péguère, causing chaos. Cadel Evans had to get at least three wheel changes. There were at least 45 punctures. The pack rode a semi-neutralized ride in to the finish.

Five riders (Luis-Leon Sanchez, Peter Sagan, Sandy Casar, Philippe Gilbert, Gorka Izaguirre) pulled free of the day's break on the final climb. Sanchez attacked on a small rise with about 10 kilometers to go, just as Sagan was eating. He grew his gap over the remaining kilometers for the stage win.

No change to the top standings with the pack shutting down the race after Cadel Evans regained the field and an attempted escape by Pierre Rolland was ended.

• Luis-Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) 4hr 50min 29sec. 39.4 km/hr
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) @ 47sec
• Sandy Casar (FDJ-Big Mat) s.t.
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) s.t.
• Sergio Paulinho (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 2min 51sec
• Sébastien Minard (Ag2r) s.t.
• Martin Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 3min 49sec
• Eduard Vorganov (Katusha) @ 4min 51sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 4min 53sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 64hr 41min 16sec
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 69 points
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar): 33
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 333 points
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 236
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 64hr 48min 13sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) @ 40min 35sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 41min 37sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 52min 2sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 194hr 16min 22sec
• BMC @ 17min 47sec
• Astana @ 25min 19sec
• Liquigas @ 40min 33sec

Stage 14 map

Stage 14 profile

Stage 15, Monday, July 16: Samatan - Pau, 158.5 km

• Km 107.0: Côte de Lahitte-Toupière, 2.1 km @ 5.3% - Category 4
• Km 123.5: Côte de Simacourbe, 1.9 km @ 6.3% - Category 3
• Km 129.0: Côte de Monassut-Audiracq, 1.5 km @ 5.4% - Category 4

The Race: Today was a big turnip. The peloton had no interest in racing today and let the day's break of six non-threatening riders get a gap of about twelve minutes. Even the sprinters' team had no interest in shutting down the break for a chance at a stage win.

The break of Pierrick Fedrigo, Christian Vande Velde, Thomas Voeckler, Nicki Sorensen, Dries Devenyns and Samuel Dumoulin worked well together until about seven kilometers to go, when the attacks started go off. No one wanted to be with Dumoulin, a good sprinter, a the finish. At just the right time Fedrigo blasted off with a quickly responding Vande Velde going after him and making the catch. The others could not get organized, although Voeckler and Sorensen gave it a good go. Fedrigo was easily the faster of the two, giving the Frenchman his second Tour stage win in Pau.

Lotto Belisol did a full-on sprint train for André Greipel, who won the field sprint.

• Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ-Big Mat) 3hr 40min 15sec. 43.2 km/hr
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Sharp) s.t.
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) @ 12sec
• Nicki Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff) s.t.
• Dries Devenyns (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 21sec
• Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) @ 1min 8sec
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) @ 11min 50sec
• Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Shar) s.t.
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 68hr 33min 21sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio shack-Nissan) @ 6min 15sec
• Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo): 39
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar): 37
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 356 points
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 254
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 130
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 127
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC): 68hr 40min 18sec
• Thibaut Pinot @ 1min 54sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 205hr 52min 34sec
• BMC @ 17min 46sec
• FDJ-Big Mat) @ 34min 22sec

Stage 15 map

Stage 15 profile

Rest Day: Tuesday, July 17

Stage 16, Wednesday, July 18: Pau - Bagnères de Luchon, 197 km. high mountains

• Km 53.5: Col d'Aubisque (1709 m), 16.4 km @ 7.1% - Category H
• Km 120.5: Col du Tourmalet (2115 m), 19.0 km @ 7.4% - Category H
• Km 150.5: Col d'Aspin (1489 m) - 12.4 km @ 4.8% - Category 1
• Km 181.5: Col de Peyresourde (1569 m) - 9.5 km @ 6.7% - Category 1

The Race: A big move of 28 riders went clear about 20 km into the stage. From there, the day's four big mountains broke the legs of all but Thomas Voeckler, who went over the last climb, the Peyresourde, nearly 2 minutes ahead of Chris Anker Sorensen. Voeckler won his second stage of the year and took over the polka dot jersey.

In the Yellow Jersey group, there were a few flashes of rebellion against Sky's hegemony, but Sky did most of the pacemaking on the climbs. Cadel Evans was gapped on the the Aspin, but scrambled back on in time to be dropped early on the Peyresourde when Liquigas hit the front to prepare things for Vincenzo Nibali's attack.

Nibali attacked and got a gap near the top, but Froome and Wiggins closed up to him, taking no other riders with them. And that's how they went over the top of the Peyresourde and finished, the three best riders: Nibali, Wiggins and Froome together.

While Lotto-Belisol and Liquigas wanted to shake things up, no one had enough horsepower to dislodge Sky.

• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) 5hr 35min 2sec. 35.3 km/hr
• Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo-Tinkoff) @ 1min 40sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 3min 22sec
• Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) @ 3min 22sec
• Brice Feillu (Saur-Sojasun) @ 3min 58sec
• Jens Voigt (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 4min 18sec
• Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) @ 6min 8sec
• Simone Stortoni (Lampre) s.t.
• Gianpaolo Caruso (Katusha) s.t.
• Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank) @ 6min 11sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 7min 9sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 74hr 15min 32sec
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 5min 46sec
• Haqimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 7min 13sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 7min 55sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 8min 6sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 9min 9sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 10mn 10sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 11min 43sec
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar): 107 points
• Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana): 103
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 74hr 23min 27sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3min 48sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 45min 26sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 222hr 58min 15sec
• Sky @ 17min 18sec
• Astana @ 28min 53sec
• BMC @ 29min 13sec
• Europcar @ 50min 3sec

Stage 16 map

Stage 16 profile

Stage 17, Thursday, July 19: Bagnères de Luchon - Peyragudes, 143.5 km. High mountains

• Km 27.5: Col de Menté (1349m), 9.3 km @ 9.1% - Category 1
• Km 55.5: Col des Ares (797 m), 6.0 km @ 5.3% - Category 2
• Km 76.0: Côte de Burs, 1.2 km @ 7.6% - Category 3
• Km 111.5: Port de Bales (1755 m), 11.7 km @ 7.7% - Category H
• Km 142.5: Peyragudes, 15.4 km @ 5.1% - Category 1

The Race: Again the winner came out of an early break. Nibali had been in it, but Alejandro Valverde explained that the escape would surely be hunted down if Nibali, third in GC,remained in it. Valverde and Nibali shook hands and Nibali returned to the pack.

Valverde went solo on the Port de Bales rode beautifully and powerfully to the finish. Behind him, Liquigas tried to thin out the field and strip Wiggins of some of his support, but the real attacks did not come from Nibali. Jurgen Van Den Broeck was the animator and his accelerations caused Nibali to be dropped.

In the final kilometers Froome drove the Yellow Jersey group hard to try to catch Valverde, but he had to wait several times for Wiggins, who seemed to be encouraging Froome to go on alone. Froome stuck with his captain, and his waiting for Wiggins was probably a gift to Valverde, who still had 28 seconds in hand when he crossed the line.

Thomas Voeckler marked Fredrik Kessiakoff while increasing his lead in the KOM. Bradley Wiggins will start tomorrow in yellow with a 2 minute, 5 second lead over teammate Chris Froome.

• Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) 4hr 12min 11sec. 34.1 km/hr
• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 19sec
• Thibaut Pinaut (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 22sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 26sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 37sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 54sec
• Christopher Horner (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 1min 2sec
• Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) @ 1min 11sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 78hr 28min 2sec
• Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 2min 41sec
• Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) @ 5min 53sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 8min 30sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 9min 57sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 10min 11sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 10min 17sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 11min 0sec
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 11min 46sec
• Thomas Voeckler (Europcar): 134 points
• Chris Anker Sorensen: Saxo-Tinkoff): 77
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 78hr 36min 32sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 1hr 0min 38sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 1hr 2min 37sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 1hr 12min 23sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 235hr 40min 21sec
• Sky @ 14min 9sec
• BMC @ 36min 21sec
• Astana @ 39min 20sec
• Movistar @ 1hr 8min 4sec

Stage 17 map

Stage 17 profile

Stage 18, Friday, July 20: Blagnac - Brive la Gaillarde, 222.5 km

• Km 67.5: Côte de Saint-Georges, 1.0 km @ 10.3% - Category 3
• Km 117.5: Côte de Cahors, 1.0 km @ 7.8% - Category 4
• Km 180.5: Côte de Souillac, 2.2 km @ 4.7% - Category 4
• Km 212.5: Côte de Lissac-sur-Couze, 1.9 km @ 5.7% - Category 4

The Race: A large break was allowed a short leash, but by the time the race hit the final climb, the Côte de Lissac-sur-Couze, it was in pieces with the peloton a few seconds behind them. Alexandre Vinokourov blasted out of the peloton and made common cause with Adam Hansen and Luca Paolini. Others bridged, including Nicolas Roche and Luis Leon Sanchez. The final 10 kilometers were exciting, lung-searing racing as the escapees desperately tried to stay away.

Mark Cavendish had begged his team for help in this stage, and they gave it at the end. Bradley Wiggins closed a lot of the gap, even though he has the crucial time trial tomorrow. The peloton caught the escapees in the finishing straight. Cavendish came from way back and shot by everyone in an astonishing display of speed. Cavendish has tied André Darrigade's 22 Tour stage wins.

• Mark Cavendish (Sky) 4hr 54min 12sec. 45.4 km/hr
• Luis-Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) s.t.
• Tyler Farrar (Garmn-Sharp) s.t.
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 83hr 22min 18sec
• Christopher Froome (sky) @ 2min 5sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas): 386 points
• André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol): 264
• Matthew Harley Goss (Orica-GreenEdge): 238
• Mark Cavendish (Sky): 175
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 146
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 83hr 30min 48sec
• Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) @ 1hr 0min 50sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 1hr 14min 28sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 1hr 16min 16sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan: 250hr 23min 5sec
• Sky @ 14min 5sec
• BMC @ 36min 25sec
• Europcar @ 1hr 4min 26sec

Stage 18 map

Stage 18 profile

Stage 19, Saturday, July 21: Bonneval - Chartres 53.5 km Individual Time Trial

The Race: Bradley Wiggins was the fastest rider at all three checkpoints as he rode a stunning 50.0 km/hr time trial. Tejay Van Garderen wasn't able to overhaul Jurgen Van Den Broeck to take fourth in the GC, but he did catch and pass a faltering Cadel Evans. Evans dropped from sixth to seventh place. Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali handily preserved their second and third places

• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 1hr 4min 13.15sec. 50.0 km/hr
• Christopher Froome (Sky) @ 1min 16sec. 49.0 km/hr
• Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) @ 1min 50sec
• Peter Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) @ 2min 2sec
• Richie Porte (Sky) @ 2min 25sec
• Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano) @ 2min 28sec
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) @ 2min 34sec
• Vasili Kiryienka (Movistar) @ 2min 46sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 2min 50sec
• Jérémy Roy (FDJ-Big Mat) @ 3min 5sec
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 84hr 26min 31sec
• Christopher Froome (sky) @ 3min 21sec
• Haimar Zubeldia (Radio Shack-Nissan) @ 15min 43sec
• Cadel Evans (BMC) @ 15min 51sec
• Pierre Rolland (Europcar) @ 16min 31sec
• Janez Brajkovic (Astana) @ 16min 38sec
• Peter Sagan (Liquigas) 386 points
• Mark Cavendish (Sky) 175
• Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky): 144
• Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 84hr 37min 35sec
• Thibaut Pinot @ 6min 13sec
• Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 1hr 16min 32sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 1hr 20min 40sec
• Radio Shack-Nissan): 253hr 47min 28sec
• Sky @ 6min 2sec
• Astana @ 43min 39sec
• Liquigas @ 1hr 5min 2sec

Stage 19 map

Stage 19 profile

Stage 20, Sunday, July 22: Rambouillet - Paris/ Champs Élysées, 120 km

• Km 36.5: Côte de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, 1.1 km @ 6.7% - Category 4
• Km 40.5: Côte de Châteaufort (Stèle Jacques Anquetil), 0.9 km @ 4.5% - Category 4

The Race: After the usual celebrations along the way to Paris, the pack hit the Champs Elysées. George Hincapie , who will retire this year with a record 17 Tour starts, was allowed to lead the pack onto the circuit. Then it was elbows, belly buttons and ears all over the place when Jens Voigt ripped himself clear of the field with Danilo Hondo close on him. Eventually eleven riders formed a hard-charging break that extracted a half-minute from the Sky-led peloton.

Late in the stage the break fell apart, but Voigt, Sebastian Minard and Rui Faria da Costa fought on. With a couple of kilometers to go it looked like the break might make it. But Liquigas had joined the chase, the break was snuffed and the pack was together for a perfect leadout for Mark Cavendish. It was no contest, Cavendish was blindlingly fast as his won his 23rd Tour stage and fourth straight victory on the Champs Elysées.

Sky executed a fabulous Tour. Wiggins, never lower than second in GC, won both time trials and never had a serious challenge in the mountains from another team. Teammate Chris Froome was a strong second in GC while Mark Cavendish won three stages.

• Mark Cavendish (Sky) 3hr 8min 7sec. 38.3 km/hr
• Gregory Henderson (Lotto-Belisol) s.t.
• Jimmy Engoulvent (Saur-Sojasun) s.t.
• Bradley Wiggins (Sky) 87hr 34min 47sec

Complete 2012 Final General CLassification

• Rein Taarame (Cofidis) @ 1hr 16min 48sec
• Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel) @ 1hr 21min 15sec

Stage 20 map

Stage 20 profile

2012 Tour route details:

Running from Saturday June 30th to Sunday July 22th 2012, the 99th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,479 kilometres.

These stages have the following profiles:

• 9 flat stages
• 4 medium mountain stages - one with a summit finish
• 5 mountain stages - two with a summit finish
• 2 individual time-trial stages
• 2 rest days

Distinctive aspects of the race

The 2012 Tour de France will have 25 mountain level two, level one or highest level mountain passes or summit fi nishes. They will be divided up geographically in the following way:

• 1 in the Vosges
• 3   in the Jura
• 4 in the Swiss Jura
• 6 in the Alps
• 11 in the Pyrenees

9 new stage towns

Abbeville, Annonay Davézieux, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, La Planche des Belles Filles, Peyragudes, Porrentruy, Samatan, Tomblaine, Visé

Startlist with backnumbers:

BMC Racing (USA) Managers: John Lelangue, Fabio Bladato 1 Cadel Evans (Aus) 2 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) 3 Stephen Cummings (GBr) 4 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) 5 George Hincapie (USA) 6 Amaël Moinard (Fra) 7 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) 8 Michael Schär (Swi) 9 Tejay Van Garderen (USA)

Radio Shack-Nissan (Luxembourg) Managers: Alain Gallopin, Dirk Demol 11 Frank Schleck (Lux) 12 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) 13 Tony Gallopin (Fra) 14 Chris Horner (USA) 15 Andreas Klöden (Ger) 16 Maxime Monfort (Bel) 17 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) 18 Jens Voigt (Ger) 19 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa)

Europcar (France) Managers: Dominique Arnould, Andy Flickinger 21 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) 22 Yukiya Arashiro (Jap) 23 Giovanni Bernaudeau (Fra) 24 Cyril Gautier (Fra) 25 Yohann Gene (Fra) 26 Vincent Jerome (Fra) 27 Christophe Kern (Fra) 28 Davide Malacarne (Ita) 29 Pierre Rolland (Fra)

Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain) Managers: Gorka Gerrikagoitia, Inaki Isasi 31 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) 32 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) 33 Jorge Azanza (Spa) 34 Gorka Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) 35 Egoi Martinez (Spa) 36 Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) 37 Amets Txurruka (Spa) 38 Pablo Urtasun Perez (Spa) 39 Gorka Verdugo (Spa)

Lampre-ISD (Italy) Managers: Maurizio Piovani, Fabrizio Bontempi 41 Michele Scarponi (Ita) 42 Grega Bole (Slo) 43 Danilo Hondo (Ger) 44 Yuriy Krivtsov (Fra) 45 Matthew Lloyd (Aus) 46 Marco Marzano (Ita) 47 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 48 Simone Stortoni (Ita) 49 Davide Vigano (Ita)

Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy) Mario Scirea, Stefano Zanatta 51 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) 52 Ivan Basso (Ita) 53 Federico Canuti (Ita) 54 Kristijan Koren (Slo) 55 Dominik Nerz (Ger) 56 Daniel Oss (Ita) 57 Peter Sagan (Svk) 58 Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) 59 Alessandro Vanotti (Ita)

Garmin-Sharp (USA) Managers: Jonathan Vaughters, Alan Peiper 61 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) 62 Tom Danielson (USA) 63 Tyler Farrar (USA) 64 Robbie Hunter (RSA) 65 Dan Martin (Irl) 66 David Millar (GBr) 67 Johan van Summeren (Bel) 68 Christain Vande Velde (USA) 69 David Zabriskie (USA)

Ag2r -La Mondiale (France) Managers: Vincent Lavenu, Julien Jurdie 71 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) 72 Maxime Bouet (Fra) 73 Mickael Cherel (Fra) 74 Hubert Dupont (Fra) 75 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) 76 Blel Kadri (Fra) 77 Sébastien Minard (Fra) 78 Christophe Riblon (Fra) 79 Nicolas Roche (Irl)

Cofidis (France) Managers: Didier Rous, Stéphane Auge 81 Rein Taaramae (Est) 82 Rémy Di Gregorio (Fra) 83 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) 84 Nicolas Edet (Fra) 85 Julien Fouchard (Fra) 86 Jan Ghyselinck (Bel) 87 Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) 88 David Moncoutié (Fra) 89 Romain Zingle (Bel)

Saur-Sojasun (France) Managers: Lylian Lebreton, Nicolas Guille 91 Jérôme Coppel (Fra) 92 Anthony Delaplace (Fra) 93 Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) 94 Brice Feillu (Fra) 95 Fabrice Jeandesboz (Fra) 96 Cyril Lemoine (Fra) 97 Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) 98 Jean Marc Marino (Fra) 99 Julien Simon (Fra)

Sky (Great Britain) Managers Sean Yates, Servais Knaven 101 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) 102 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) 103 Mark Cavendish (GBr) 104 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) 105 Chris Froome (GBr) 106 Christian Knees (Ger) 107 Richie Porte (Aus) 108 Michael Rogers (Aus) 109 Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr)

Lotto-Belisol (Belgium) Managers: Herman Frison, Marc Wauters 111 Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel) 112 Lars Bak (Den) 113 Francis De Greef (Bel) 114 André Greipel (Ger) 115 Adam Hansen (Aus) 116 Greg Henderson (NZl) 117 Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) 118 Marcel Sieberg (Ger) 119 Jelle Vanendert (Bel)

Vacansoleil-DCM (Netherlands) Managers: Hilaire van der Schueren, Michel Cornelisse 121 Lieuwe Westra (Ned) 122 Kris Boeckmans (Bel) 123 Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) 124 Gustav Larsson (Swe) 125 Marco Marcato (Ita) 126 Wout Poels (Ned) 127 Rob Ruijgh (Ned) 128 Rafael Valls (Spa) 129 Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Ned)

Katusha (Russia) Managers: Valerio Piva, Torsten Schmidt 131 Denis Menchov (Rus) 132 Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) 133 Oscar Freire (Spa) 134 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) 135 Joan Horrach (Spa) 136 Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) 137 Luca Paolini (Ita) 138 Yuriy Trofimov (Rus) 139 Eduard Vorganov (Rus)

FDJ-Big Mat (France) Managers: Thierry Bricaud, Franck Pineau 141 Sandy Casar (Fra) 142 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) 143 Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) 144 Matthieu Ladagnou(Fra) 145 Cedric Pineau (Fra) 146 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) 147 Anthony Roux (Fra) 148 Jérémy Roy (Fra) 149 Arthur Vichot (Fra)

Rabobank (Netherlands) Managers: Frans Massen, Adri van Houwelingen 151 Robert Gesink (Ned) 152 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) 153 Bauke Mollema (Ned) 154 Mark Renshaw (Aus) 155 Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) 156 Bram Tankink (Ned) 157 Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) 158 Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) 159 Maarten Wynants (Bel)

Movistar (Spain) Managers: Yvon Ledanois, José Luis Arrieta 161 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) 162 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) 163 Rui Costa (Por) 164 Imanol Erviti (Spa) 165 José Ivan Gutierrez (Spa) 166 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) 167 Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) 168 Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) 169 José Joaquin Rojas (Spa)

Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank (Denmark) Managers: Dan Frost, Philippe Mauduit 171 Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) 172 Juan José Haedo (Arg) 173 Karsten Kroon (Ned) 174 Anders Lund (Den) 175 Michael Morkov (Den) 176 Nick Nuyens (Bel) 177 Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) 178 Chris Anker Sorensen (Den) 179 Nicki Sorensen (Den)

Astana (Kazakhstan) Managers: Giuseppe Martinelli, Guido Bontempi 181 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) 182 Borut Bozic (Slo) 183 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) 184 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) 185 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) 186 Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) 187 Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) 188 Dimitry Muravyev (Kaz) 189 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz)

Omega Pharma-Quick Step (Belgium) Managers: Brian Holm, Davide Bramati 191 Levi Leipheimer (USA) 192 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 193 Dries Devenyns (Bel) 194 Kevin De Weert (Bel) 195 Bert Grabsch (Ger) 196 Tony Martin (Ger) 197 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) 198 Martin Velits (Svk) 199 Peter Velits (Svk)

Orica-GreenEdge (Australia) Managers: Matthew White, Lionel Marie 201 Simon Gerrans (Aus) 202 Michael Albasini (Swi) 203 Baden Cooke (Aus) 204 Matt Goss (Aus) 205 Daryl Impey (RSA) 206 Brett Daniel Lancaster (Aus) 207 Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) 208 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) 209 Pieter Weening (Ned)

Argos-Shimano (Netherlands) Managers: Christian Guiberteau, Rudi Kemna 211 Marcel Kittel (Ger) 212 Roy Curvers (Ned) 213 Koen de Kort (Ned) 214 Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) 215 Patrick Gretsch (Ger) 216 Yann Huguet (Fra) 217 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) 218 Albert Timmer (Ned) 219 Tom Veelers (Ned)

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• Tour de France
• Tour de France 2012 Route And Map: From Liege To Paris, Cyclists In For A Challenge

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Share All sharing options for: Tour de France 2012 Route And Map: From Liege To Paris, Cyclists In For A Challenge

The 99th Tour de France begins on Saturday with a prologue in Liege, Belgium, and will end at the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, on July 22, but what awaits the riders in between those two stages? After the prologue, the first two stages of the race remain in Belgium, with the last stop at Tournai. The race in France proper begins with a medium mountain stage from Orchies to Boulogne-sur-Mer on July 3.

After the initial stage in France, the course heads to and then along the English Channel. At that point, the race heads to Rouen and begins a clockwise ride around the country. A mix of plain, medium mountain and high mountains awaits the cyclists as they travel the eastern side of France.

The race shifts to the southern coast beginning on Stage 13, but the cyclists will have a rest day before they face back-to-back high mountains on July 18 and 19 for Stages 16 and 17. The last three stages are then a move north up to Paris. An individual time trial from Bonneval to Chartres is wedged in between two plain stages.

Here is a map of the Tour de France route ( via letour.fr ):

Stay up to date with Tour de France news by visiting SB Nation's Podium Cafe .

In This Stream

Tour de france 2012: bradley wiggins all but wraps up victory.

• Tour de France 2012 Results: Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky Dominate Throughout
• Five for Fighting: The Yellow Jersey Rundown

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Tour de France Route, Stages and Results 2012

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•   »  

• 1 EVANS Cadel
• 2 BURGHARDT Marcus
• 3 CUMMINGS Steve
• 4 GILBERT Philippe
• 5 HINCAPIE George
• 6 MOINARD Amaël
• 7 QUINZIATO Manuel
• 8 SCHÄR Michael
• 9 VAN GARDEREN Tejay *

• 11 SCHLECK Fränk (DNS #16)
• 12 CANCELLARA Fabian (DNS #11)
• 13 GALLOPIN Tony * (DNF #13)
• 14 HORNER Chris
• 15 KLÖDEN Andreas
• 16 MONFORT Maxime
• 17 POPOVYCH Yaroslav
• 18 VOIGT Jens
• 19 ZUBELDIA Haimar

• 21 VOECKLER Thomas
• 22 ARASHIRO Yukiya
• 23 BERNAUDEAU Giovanni (DNF #15)
• 24 GAUTIER Cyril *
• 25 GÈNE Yohann
• 26 JÉRÔME Vincent (DNF #15)
• 27 KERN Christophe
• 28 MALACARNE Davide *
• 29 ROLLAND Pierre

• 31 SÁNCHEZ Samuel (DNF #8)
• 32 ASTARLOZA Mikel (DNF #6)
• 33 AZANZA Jorge
• 34 IZAGIRRE Gorka *
• 35 MARTÍNEZ Egoi
• 36 PÉREZ Rubén
• 37 TXURRUKA Amets (DNS #7)
• 38 URTASUN Pablo
• 39 VERDUGO Gorka (DNF #8)

• 41 SCARPONI Michele
• 42 BOLE Grega (DNF #16)
• 43 HONDO Danilo
• 44 KRIVTSOV Yuriy (OTL #11)
• 45 LLOYD Matthew (DNS #10)
• 46 MARZANO Marco
• 47 PETACCHI Alessandro (OTL #11)
• 48 STORTONI Simone
• 49 VIGANÒ Davide (DNF #6)

• 51 NIBALI Vincenzo
• 52 BASSO Ivan
• 53 CANUTI Federico
• 54 KOREN Kristijan (OUT)
• 55 NERZ Dominik *
• 56 OSS Daniel *
• 57 SAGAN Peter *
• 58 SZMYD Sylwester
• 59 VANOTTI Alessandro

• 61 HESJEDAL Ryder (DNS #7)
• 62 DANIELSON Tom (DNF #6)
• 63 FARRAR Tyler
• 64 HUNTER Robert (DNS #7)
• 65 MARTIN Dan
• 66 MILLAR David
• 67 VANSUMMEREN Johan
• 68 VANDE VELDE Christian
• 69 ZABRISKIE David

• 71 PERAUD Jean-Christophe
• 72 BOUET Maxime
• 73 CHEREL Mikaël
• 74 DUPONT Hubert (DNS #7)
• 75 HINAULT Sébastien
• 76 KADRI Blel
• 77 MINARD Sébastien
• 78 RIBLON Christophe
• 79 ROCHE Nicolas

• 81 TAARAMÄE Rein *
• 82 DI GRÉGORIO Rémy (DNS #10)
• 83 DUMOULIN Samuel
• 84 EDET Nicolas *
• 85 FOUCHARD Julien
• 86 GHYSELINCK Jan * (DNF #16)
• 87 MATÉ Luis Ángel
• 88 MONCOUTIÉ David (DNF #12)
• 89 ZINGLE Romain *

• 91 COPPEL Jérôme
• 92 DELAPLACE Anthony * (DNF #7)
• 93 ENGOULVENT Jimmy
• 94 FEILLU Brice
• 95 JEANDESBOZ Fabrice
• 96 LEMOINE Cyril
• 97 LEVARLET Guillaume
• 98 MARINO Jean-Marc
• 99 SIMON Julien

• 101 WIGGINS Bradley
• 102 BOASSON HAGEN Edvald *
• 103 CAVENDISH Mark
• 104 EISEL Bernhard
• 105 FROOME Chris
• 106 KNEES Christian
• 107 PORTE Richie
• 108 ROGERS Michael
• 109 SIUTSOU Kanstantsin (DNF #3)

• 111 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen
• 112 BAK Lars Ytting
• 113 DE GREEF Francis
• 114 GREIPEL André
• 115 HANSEN Adam
• 116 HENDERSON Gregory
• 117 ROELANDTS Jürgen
• 118 SIEBERG Marcel
• 119 VANENDERT Jelle
• 121 WESTRA Lieuwe (DNF #11)
• 122 BOECKMANS Kris *
• 123 HOOGERLAND Johnny
• 124 LARSSON Gustav Erik (DNF #11)
• 125 MARCATO Marco
• 126 POELS Wout * (DNF #6)
• 127 RUIJGH Rob (DNF #11)
• 128 VALLS Rafael *
• 129 VAN HUMMEL Kenny (DNF #15)

• 131 MENCHOV Denis (OUT)
• 132 CARUSO Giampaolo (OUT)
• 133 FREIRE Óscar (DNS #7)
• 134 GUSEV Vladimir (DNF #16)
• 135 HORRACH Joan Sebastian
• 136 KUSCHYNSKI Aleksandr
• 137 PAOLINI Luca
• 138 TROFIMOV Yuri
• 139 VORGANOV Eduard

• 141 CASAR Sandy
• 142 FÉDRIGO Pierrick
• 143 HUTAROVICH Yauheni (DNF #15)
• 144 LADAGNOUS Matthieu
• 145 PINEAU Cédric
• 146 PINOT Thibaut *
• 147 ROUX Anthony *
• 148 ROY Jérémy
• 149 VICHOT Arthur *

• 151 GESINK Robert (DNS #12)
• 152 KRUIJSWIJK Steven *
• 153 MOLLEMA Bauke (DNF #11)
• 154 RENSHAW Mark (DNF #11)
• 155 SÁNCHEZ Luis León
• 156 TANKINK Bram
• 157 TEN DAM Laurens
• 158 TJALLINGII Maarten (DNS #4)
• 159 WYNANTS Maarten (DNS #7)

• 161 VALVERDE Alejandro
• 162 COBO Juan José
• 163 COSTA Rui
• 164 ERVITI Imanol (DNS #7)
• 165 GUTIÉRREZ José Iván (DNS #7)
• 166 KARPETS Vladimir
• 167 KIRYIENKA Vasil
• 168 PLAZA Rubén
• 169 ROJAS José Joaquín (DNF #3)

• 171 CANTWELL Jonathan
• 172 HAEDO Juan José
• 173 KROON Karsten
• 174 LUND Anders
• 175 MØRKØV Michael
• 176 NUYENS Nick
• 177 PAULINHO Sérgio Miguel
• 178 SØRENSEN Chris Anker
• 179 SØRENSEN Nicki

• 181 BRAJKOVIČ Janez
• 182 BOŽIČ Borut (OUT)
• 183 FOFONOV Dmitriy
• 184 GRIVKO Andrey
• 185 IGLINSKIY Maxim
• 186 KASHECHKIN Andrey
• 187 KESSIAKOFF Fredrik
• 188 KIŠERLOVSKI Robert (DNF #14)
• 189 VINOKOUROV Alexandre

• 191 LEIPHEIMER Levi
• 192 CHAVANEL Sylvain (DNF #15)
• 193 DE WEERT Kevin
• 194 DEVENYNS Dries
• 195 GRABSCH Bert
• 196 MARTIN Tony (DNS #10)
• 197 PINEAU Jérôme
• 198 VELITS Martin
• 199 VELITS Peter

• 201 GERRANS Simon
• 202 ALBASINI Michael
• 203 COOKE Baden
• 204 GOSS Matthew
• 205 IMPEY Daryl
• 206 LANCASTER Brett (DNF #15)
• 207 LANGEVELD Sebastian
• 208 O'GRADY Stuart
• 209 WEENING Pieter

• 211 KITTEL Marcel * (DNF #5)
• 212 CURVERS Roy
• 213 DE KORT Koen
• 214 FRÖHLINGER Johannes (DNS #8)
• 215 GRETSCH Patrick *
• 216 HUGUET Yann
• 217 SPRICK Matthieu
• 218 TIMMER Albert
• 219 VEELERS Tom (DNF #12)
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Tour de France 2012 Route Unveiled

2012 race favors climbers who can time trial

A total of 96.1 km of racing against the clock will feature on the course, spread over the opening prologue (6.1 km), Stage 9 (38 km) and the penultimate Stage 19 (52 km).  

[ Update: 2012 Tour de France Time-Trial Distances Increased ]

The stages:

Prologue — June 30: Liege–Liege 6.1 km

1st stage — July 1: Liege–Seraing 198 km

2nd stage — July 2: Vise–Tournai 207 km

3rd stage — July 3: Orchies–Boulogne-sur-Mer 197 km

4th stage — July 4: Abbeville–Rouen 214 km

5th stage — July 5: Rouen–Saint-Quentin 197 km

6th stage — July 6: Epernay–Metz 210 km

7th stage — July 7: Tomblaine–La Planche des Belles Filles 199 km

8th stage — July 8: Belfort–Porrentruy 154 km

9th stage — July 9: Arc-et-Senans–Besancon 38 km time trial  

July 10: Rest day  

10th stage — July 11: Macon–Bellegarde-sur-Valserine 194 km

11th stage — July 12: Albertville–La Toussuire-Les Sybelles 140 km

12th stage — July 13: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne–Annonay Davezieux 220 km

13th stage — July 14: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux–Le Cap d’Agde 215 km

14th stage — July 15: Limoux–Foix 192 km

15th stage — July 16: Samatan–Pau 160 km  

July 17: Rest day  

16th stage — July 18: Pau–Bagneres-de-Luchon 197 km

17th stage — July 19: Bagneres-de-Luchon–Peyragudes 144 km

18th stage — July 20: Blagnac–Brive-la-Gaillarde 215 km

19th stage — July 21: Bonneval–Chartres 52 km time trial

20th stage — July 22: Rambouillet–Paris 130 km

[ Read Reactions From Top Pro-Team Managers to the 2012 Tour de France Route ]

The last time so many time-trial kilometers were featured was in 2007, when Spaniard Alberto Contador secured the second of his three victories by triumphing in the Lake Annecy time trial. During the reign of Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc, in the 1990s and first few years of 2000, it was routine to have over 100 km of time trials in the race.

In 1992, for example, emerging Spanish great Miguel Indurain got to showcase his formidable time trialling skills over 137 km, doing the most damage on the Luxembourg time trial held over 65 km. Time trialling became Indurain's trademark as he went on to join the elite club of five-time winners of the race, becoming the first rider to achieve the feat consecutively.

A list of the time-trial distances in the last 10 editions of the race:

2012: 96.1 km

2011: 42.5 km

2010: 60.9 km

2009: 56 km

2008: 82.5 km

2007: 117.4 km

2006: 116.1 km

2005: 74.5 km

2004: 77 km

2003: 102.5 km

2002: 109 km

Related Video: The Schleck Brothers Embrace After Losing 2011 Tour de France in Penultimate Time Trial  

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Tour de France

2012 tour de france route leaked, paris, oct 10, 2011 (afp) - tour de france organisers inadvertently published next year's route on their official website according to several specialist cycling websites on monday..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

PARIS (AFP) – Tour de France organisers inadvertently published next year’s route on their official website.

Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) refused to comment when contacted by AFP about the embarrassing slip-up over the race which gets underway in the Belgian town of Liege on June 30.

The page is no longer accessible but Dutch journalist Stephan van der Zwan has some images he took of it on www.Wielerland.nl , the website that revealed the error.

The 2012 Tour will feature nine flat stages, five mountain stages including two finishing at altitude, two individual time-trials and a prologue. There will also be two rest days.

The race will comprise a total of 25 climbs of 2nd, 1st or Hors categorie: one in the Vosges, three in the Jura, four in the Swiss Jura, six in the Alps and 11 in the Pyrenees.

The official unveiling of the route is due to take place in Paris on October 18.

2012 Tour de France stages: Prologue, June 30 — Liege> Liege 6.1 km (time trial) Stage 1, July 1 — Liège> Seraing 198 km (road stage) Stage 2, July 2 — Vise > Tournai 207 km (road stage) Stage 3, July 3 — Orchies > Boulogne-sur-Mer 197 km (road stage) Stage 4, July 4 — Abbeville > Rouen 214 km (road stage) Stage 5, July 5 — Rouen > Saint-Quentin 197 km (road stage) Stage 6, July 6 — Épernay > Metz 210 km (road stage) Stage 7, July 7 — Tomblaine > La Planche des Belles Filles 199 km (road stage) Stage 8, July 8 — Belfort > Porrentruy 154 km (road stage) Stage 9, July 9 — Arc-et-Senans > Besançon 38 km (time trial) Rest day, July 10 Stage 10, July 11 — Mâcon > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine 194 km (road stage) Stage 11, July 12 — Albertville > La Toussuire – Les Sybelles 140 km (mountain stage) Stage 12, July 13 — Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Annonay Davézieux 220 km (mountain stage) Stage 13, July 14 — Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d’Agde 215 km (road stage) Stage 14, July 15 — Limoux > Foix 192 km (road stage) Stage 15, July 16 — Samatan > Pau 160 km (road stage) Rest day, July 17 Stage 16, July 18 — Pau > Bagnères-de-Luchon 197 km (mountain stage) Stage 17, July 19 — Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes 144 km (mountain stage) Stage 18, July 20 — Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde 215 km (road stage) Stage 19, July 21 — juillet Bonneval > Chartres 52 km (time trial) Stage 20, July 22 — Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées 130 km (road stage)

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Etape du Tour 2012 (Albertville – La Toussuire) – Route, Climbs & GPX

For the first of two Tour de France stages, which were to be ridden in Etape du Tour 2012 , the organizers had selected Stage 11 from Albertville – La Toussuire .

4 Alpine Cols and over 4700m of climbing means that the route, although only 148km long, is truly epic. A real challenge even for the most experienced of riders.

Starting from Albertville , the first 20km are flat and give you a chance to warm your legs up before you tackle the first climb of the day – Col de la Madeleine . The only other section of Etape du Tour 2012 Act 1, which is not an ascent or a descent, is around La Chambre before the tough Col du Glandon + Col de la Croix de Fer climb.

Etape du Tour 2012 (Albertville – La Toussuire) – Climbs:

The longer, northern ascent, described by many cyclists as the easier climb up Col de la Madeleine.

Featuring in Tour de France & Etape du Tour 2015, this is the hardest ascent of Col de la Croix de Fer and includes the northern climb of Col du Glandon.

The shorter, southern ascent to Col du Mollard on the D80, which has featured in the Tour de France & Etape du Tour in 2012.

This is the main La Toussuire climb, leaving the D926 and heading west on the D78, passing through Villarembert on the way to the ski station. Part of Tour de France & Etape du Tour 2015.

Etape du Tour 2012 & Tour de France Stage 11 Videos

Etape du Tour 2012 Stories

“On the final climb of the Etape from Albertville to La Toussuire I am fading fast. The combination of the previous climbs, Le Madeleine, Glandon, Croix de Fer and Le Col du Mollard have turned my legs to concrete…” read more

“As I turned off my alarm at five o’clock in the morning on the day of the race, I thought I could hear rain outside. This was a bitter surprise having enjoyed glorious sunshine as we signed on for our numbers the day before, when we’d spend the afternoon watching Wiggo take the yellow jersey…” read more

“I still can’t believe I finished. After seeing the Pros suffering on La Toussuire today, I have a completely new appreciation of professional cycling and what those guys do.” read more

Registration will open on Tuesday 20th October 2015 at 2.00pm!

Etape du Tour 2015 will follow the route of Tour de France, Stage 19 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – La Toussuire. Tough Cols and 4500m of climbing. Ouch!

Etape du Tour 2012 Act 1, from Albertville to La Toussuire, includes 4 Cols and over 4700m of climbing. The word “tough” doesn’t even begin to describe the route!

First of two editions in 2011. The route includes Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe dHuez. Brilliant!

Have you done Etape du Tour 2012 (Albertville – La Toussuire)? Share your story in the comments below.

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TOTAL: 3492 km

This will be the first Grand Départ in Italy and the 26th that’s taken place abroad  First finale in Nice. Due to the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris, the race will not finish in the French capital for the first time.

Two time trials. 25 + 34 = 59km in total, the second of them taking place on the final Monaco>Nice stage. This will be the first time the race has seen a finale of this type for 35 years, the last occasion being the famous Fignon - LeMond duel in 1989.

Apennines (Italy), the Italian and French Alps, Massif Central and Pyrenees will be the mountain ranges on the 2024 Tour route.

The number of countries visited in 2024: Italy, San Marino, Monaco and France. Within France, the race will pass through 7 Regions and 30 departments.

The number of bonus points 8, 5 and 2 bonus seconds go to the first three classified riders, featuring at strategic points along the route (subject to approval by the International Cycling Union)these will have no effect on the points classification. Bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds will be awarded to the first three classified riders at road stage finishes.

Out of a total of 39, the locations or stage towns that are appearing on the Tour map for the first time . In order of appearance: Florence, Rimini, Cesenatico, Bologna, Piacenza, Saint-Vulbas, Gevrey-Chambertin, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, Évaux-les-Bains, Gruissan, Superdévoluy, Col de la Couillole.

The number of sectors on white roads during stage nine, amounting to 32km in total .

The number of stages: 8 flat, 4 hilly, 7 mountain (with 4 summit finishes at Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, Plateau de Beille, Isola 2000, Col de la Couillole), 2 time trials and 2 rest days.

The number of riders who will line up at the start of the Tour, divided into 22 teams of 8 riders each.

The height of the summit of the Bonette pass in the Alps, the highest tarmac road in France, which will be the “roof” of the 2024 Tour.

The total vertical gain during the 2024 Tour de France.

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Schedules & Route Maps

SMART Transit east and west routes take you to popular destinations throughout the City of Moscow. Buses stop at medical offices, shopping areas, schools (including the University of Idaho campus) and high-density housing developments.

Everyone rides FREE!

Current alerts and announcements

• RIDER ALERT! College & Deakin stop is out of service today 3/11 and will re-open mid-day 3/12 due to an emergency road closure
• RIDER ALERT! Closed Monday, Feb. 19th for President’s Day.
• RIDER ALERT! Closed Christmas Day (12/25) and New Year’s Day (1/1)

There are two fixed routes. Both routes connect at Moscow’s Intermodal Transit Center at 1006 Railroad Street. 

Download current route maps and schedules

Single route schedule, west side loop.

Covers the west side of Moscow and the University of Idaho campus. Common stops include:

• Student Union Building (ISUB) and residence halls along Sixth Street
• Moscow Family Medicine QuickCARE
• Palouse Mall
• Downtown Moscow
• Gritman Medical Center

East side loop 

Covers the east side of Moscow from the UI campus. Common stops include:

• Moscow High School
• East City Park
• Aquatic Center
• Moscow Junior High School
• Skateboard Park
• Latah County Fairgrounds
• Eastside Marketplace 
• Styner Avenue

Buses depart the Intermodal Transit Center at 10 minutes and 40 minutes after the hour.

Most stops are served every half hour. 

Download current map and schedule poster

West side loop schedule.

Transit Center

6:40, 7:10, 7:40, 8:10, 8:40, 9:10, 9:40, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 11:40, 12:10, 12:40, 1:10, 1:40, 2:40, 3:40, 4:40, 5:40, 6:40

College & Deakin Ave.

6th & Deakin

6:41, 7:41, 8:41, 9:41, 10:41, 11:41, 12:41, 1:41, 2:41, 3:41, 4:41, 5:41, 6:41

Ash & University Ave.

7:11, 8:11, 9:11, 10:11, 11:11, 12:11, 1:11, 2:11, 3:11, 4:11, 5:11, 6:11

7:12, 8:12, 9:12, 10:12, 11:12, 12:12, 1:12, 2:12, 3:12, 4:12, 5:12, 6:12

6:42, 7:42, 8:42, 9:42, 10:42, 11:42, 12:42, 1:42, 2:42, 3:42, 4:42, 5:42, 6:42

Wallace Complex

7:12, 7:42, 8:12, 8:42, 9:12, 9:42, 10:12, 10:42, 11:12, 11:42, 12:12, 12:42, 1:12, 1:42, 2:12, 2:42, 3:12, 3:42, 4:12, 4:42, 5:12, 5:42, 6:12, 6:42

6th & Perimeter

7:13, 7:43, 8:13, 8:43, 9:13, 9:43, 10:13, 10:43, 11:13, 11:43, 12:13, 12:43, 1:13, 1:43, 2:13, 2:43, 3:13, 3:43, 4:13, 4:43, 5:13, 5:43, 6:13, 6:43

6:46, 7:46, 8:46, 9:46, 10:46, 11:46, 12:46, 1:46, 2:46, 3:46, 4:46, 5:46, 6:46

Moscow Family Medicine/QuickCare

6:47, 7:47, 8:47, 9:47, 10:47, 11:47, 12:47, 1:47, 2:47, 3:47, 4:47, 5:47, 6:47

6:50, 7:15, 7:50, 8:15, 8:50, 9:15, 9:50, 10:15, 10:50, 11:15, 11:50, 12:15, 12:50, 1:15, 1:50, 2:50, 3:50, 4:50, 5:50, 6:50

Baker Hill (Wish Medical)

A & Baker

6:51, 7:16, 7:51, 8:16, 8:51, 9:16, 9:51, 10:16, 10:51, 11:16, 11:51, 12:16, 12:51, 1:16, 1:51, 2:16, 2:51, 3:16, 3:51, 4:16, 4:51, 5:16, 5:51, 6:16, 6:51

A & Peterson

A & Cherry

6:52, 7:17, 7:52, 8:17, 8:52, 9:17, 9:52, 10:17, 10:52, 11:17, 11:52, 12:17, 12:52, 1:17, 1:52, 2:17, 2:52, 3:17, 3:52, 4:17, 4:52, 5:17, 5:52, 6:17, 6:52

A & Lily

6:53, 7:18, 7:53, 8:18, 8:53, 9:18, 9:53, 10:18, 10:53, 11:18, 11:53, 12:18, 12:53, 1:18, 1:53, 2:18, 2:53, 3:18, 3:53, 4:18, 4:53, 5:18, 5:53, 6:18, 6:53

A & Almon

7:19, 8:19, 9:19, 10:19, 11:19, 12:19, 1:19, 2:19, 3:19, 4:19, 5:19, 6:19

Almon & E

7:20: 8:20, 9:20, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20 1:20, 2:20, 3:20, 4:20, 5:20, 6:20

E & Main (Rosauers)

7:21, 8:21, 9:21, 10:21, 11:21, 12:21, 1:21

2nd & Main

6:55, 7:22, 7:55, 8:22, 8:55, 9:22, 9:55, 10:22, 10:55, 11:22, 11:55, 12:22, 12:55, 1:22, 1:55, 2:22, 2:55, 3:22, 3:55, 4:22, 4:55, 5:22, 5:55, 6:22, 6:55

Friendship Square

6:56, 7:24, 7:56, 8:24, 8:56, 9:24, 9:56, 10:24, 10:56, 11:24, 11:56, 12:24, 12:56, 1:24, 1:56, 2:56, 3:56, 3:56, 4:56, 5:56, 6:56

8th & Main (Gritman Medical Center)

6:57, 7:25, 7:57, 8:25, 8:57, 9:25, 9:57, 10:25, 10:57, 11:25, 11:57, 12:25, 12:57, 1:25, 1:57, 2:25, 2:57, 3:25, 3:57, 4:25, 4:57, 5:25, 5:57, 6:25, 6:57

Friendship Square stop not serviced during Saturday Farmers’ Market May through Oct

East Side Loop Schedule

6:40, 7:10, 7:40, 8:10, 8:40, 9:10, 9:40, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 11:40, 12:10, 12:40, 1:10, 1:40, 2:10, 3:10, 4:10, 5:10, 6:10

College & Deakin

6:41, 7:10, 7:41, 8:10, 8:41, 9:10, 9:41, 10:10, 10:41, 11:10, 11:41, 12:10, 12:41, 1:10, 1:41, 2:10, 2:41, 3:10, 3:41, 4:10, 4:41, 5:10, 5:41, 6:10, 6:41

6:41, 7:11, 7:41, 8:11, 8:41, 9:11, 9:41, 10:11, 10:41, 11:11, 11:41, 12:11, 12:41, 1:11, 1:41, 2:11, 3:11, 4:11, 5:11, 6:11

Almon & A

8:42, 9:42, 10:42, 11:42, 12:42, 1:42, 2:42, 3:42, 4:42, 5:42, 6:42

8:43, 9:43, 10:43, 11:43, 12:43, 1:43, 2:43, 3:43, 4:43, 5:43, 6:43

8:44, 9:44 10:44, 11:44, 12:44, 1:44, 2:14, 3:14, 4:14, 5:14, 6:14

D & Jefferson

8:45, 9:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 1:45, 2:45, 3:45, 4:45, 5:45, 6:45

D & Howard

8:46, 9:46, 10:46, 11:46, 12:46, 1:46, 2:46, 3:46, 4:46, 5:46, 6:46

Moscow High School / 1912 Center

3rd & Polk

7:13, 8:13, 9:13, 10:13, 11:13, 12:13, 1:13, 2:13, 3:13, 4:13, 5:13, 6:13

3rd & Lincoln

7:14, 8:14, 9:14, 10:14, 11:14, 12:14, 1:14, 2:14, 3:14, 4:14, 5:14, 6:14

1st & Hayes

Hayes & D St.

6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 5:45, 6:15, 6:45

Hayes & F St.

F St. & Orchard

6:46, 7:16, 7:46, 8:16, 8:46, 9:16, 9:46, 10:16, 10:46, 1:16, 11:46, 12:16, 12:46, 1:16, 1:46, 2:16, 2:46, 3:16, 3:46, 4:16, 4:46, 5:16, 5:46, 6:16, 6:46

F St. & Mountain View

6:47, 7:17, 7:47, 8:17, 8:49, 9:17, 9:49, 10:17, 10:49, 11:17, 11:49, 12:17, 12:49, 1:17, 1:49, 2:19, 3:19, 4:19, 5:19, 6:19

Mountain View Skate Park

Mountain View & Rolling Hills

6th & Mountain View

6:48, 7:18, 7:48, 8:18, 8:48, 9:18, 9:48, 10:18, 10:48, 11:18, 11:48, 12:18, 12:48, 1:18, 1:48, 2:18, 2:48, 3:18, 3:48, 4:18, 4:48, 5:18, 5:48, 6:18, 6:48

6th & Park

6:49, 7:19, 7:49, 8:19, 8:49, 9:19, 9:49, 10:19, 10:49, 11:19, 11:49, 12:19, 12:49, 1:19, 1:49, 2:19, 2:49, 3:19, 3:21, 4:19, 4:49, 5:19, 5:49, 6:19, 6:49

Blaine Street at 6th Street

7th & Blaine

6:50, 7:20, 7:50, 8:20, 8:50, 9:20, 9:50, 10:20, 10:50, 11:20, 11:50, 12:20, 12:50, 1:20, 1:50, 2:20, 2:50, 3:20, 3:50, 4:20, 4:50, 5:20, 5:50, 6:20, 6:50

Blaine & Mabelle

Blaine & White Ave. (Eastside Marketplace)

6:51, 7:21, 7:51, 8:21, 8:51, 9:21, 9:51, 10:21, 10:51, 11:21, 11:51, 12:21, 12:51, 1:21, 1:51, 2:21, 2:51, 3:21, 3:51, 4:21, 4:51, 5:21, 5:51, 6:21, 6:51

Styner & Northwood

6:53, 7:23, 7:53, 8:23, 8:53, 9:23, 9:53, 10:23, 10:53, 11:23, 11:53, 12:23, 12:53, 1:23, 1:53, 2:23, 2:53, 3:23, 3:53, 4:23, 4:53, 5:23, 5:53, 6:23, 6:53

Styner & Hawthorne

Styner & Main

6:54, 7:24, 7:54, 8:24, 8:54, 9:24, 9:54, 10:24, 10:54, 11:24, 11:54, 12:24, 12:54, 1:24, 1:54, 2:24, 2:54, 3:24, 3:54, 4:24, 4:54, 5:24, 5:54, 6:24, 6:54

Need curb-to-curb service?

If you need a more personalized transit option than fixed-route buses, consider using Dial-A-Ride . It offers curb-to-curb service with pickups at prescheduled times.

Intercity travel

Starting may 15, 2023, smart transit is no longer selling northwestern trailways intercity bus tickets.

You may purchase tickets directly from the intercity carriers:

• Northwestern Trailways (800-366-3830)
• Salt Lake Express

Contact the carriers or visit their websites for information about routes, schedules, baggage, and more.

When you buy tickets online, most exchanges, refunds, and customer service inquiries must also be made online.

Trip planning tools

Google Maps and Bing Maps

Both tools provide directions for your entire trip, including the walk to the bus stop.

Visit the Idaho Transportation Department online for road reports, maps, and more.

Sagan triumphs in Seraing

Runner-up Cancellara remains in yellow jersey

Peter Sagan of Liquigas-Cannondale took his first Tour de France win in the first stage of his first Tour de France, outsprinting yellow jersey Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) for the victory. The trio had escaped from the field in the final 1.5km of the stage, under the impetus of a powerful surge from Cancellara, and charged their way up the closing climb in Seraing, Belgium.

Video: Sagan leaves early mark on Tour de France

There were no changes in the top five of the GC, but the pure time trialists fell out of the top ten. Cancellara easily retained his seven second lead over Sky's Bradley Wiggins with Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) holding third place overall, tied on time with Wiggins.

The stage was marked by a breakaway group which enjoyed approximately 190 kilometers of freedom, but the finale went to the top guns. Although a large group came to the end and was given the time of the winner, the usual sprinters were not involved.

Sagan had been a favourite to take the win on this tricky finish, and Boasson Hagen was no surprise either. But it was not so expected to see Cancellara fighting those two for the stage win, and he has now really shown that he is recovered from his shattered collarbone at the Tour of Flanders and has his self-confidence back.

"Of course people told me I was the favourite," said Sagan. "I knew that Chavanel would try something at the end. I wanted to attack at the hardest section. It was very, very good that Cancellara was there. I saw that he had strong legs. It was good to take it easy behind him."

From the gun

The full complement of 198 riders started on Sunday for the 198 kilometers from Liege to Seraing. And almost immediately after the sharp start, six riders attacked and proved to be the break of the day.

The RadioShack-Nissan-led field was happy to let Yohann Gène (Europcar), Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Maxime Bouet (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis), Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun) and Michael Mørkøv (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff) go. Their lead jumped around from 1:10 (after being stopped at a level crossing) to 4:50 but RadioShack-Nissan never let them get too far away, and their advantage settled around the three-minute mark.

Tony Martin's problems in the 2012 Tour de France continued. After the time trial world champion suffered a puncture in the prologue, he proceeded to crash early on in this stage, and seemed to have difficulty staying up with the field much of the day. Open wounds could be seen on the Omega Pharma-QuickStep German's elbow, and it was said he had injured his wrist as well.

The July weather in Belgian is no better than that during the Spring Classics, and the peloton went from overcast to rain to sun, and back again. Fortunately the dry weather prevailed during the nervous finale.

The day's only intermediate sprint came at 139km , and it was hotly contested by both the break group and the peloton. Gene took maximum points at the head of affairs, while in the field Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) claimed seventh place ahead of Mark Cavendish (Sky) and Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol).

The oldest of RadioShack's oldies, 40-year-old Jens Voigt, proved why he was named to ride his 15th Tour. He put in many kilometers at the head of the field and was especially vigilant on the front when the gap to the break had crept up again. The German veteran was instrumental in keeping their lead pegged at a comfortable level, ably assisted by Yaroslav Popovych

Along the way, Morkov and Urtasun fought it out for every mountain point. The Dane was the lucky winner, raising a "number one" finger as he took the penultimate climb, but the Basque rider was quick to congratulate him.

With 50km to go, RadioShack-Nissan turned on the speed again and, helped by a tailwind, brought the gap to under two minutes. The Luxembourg-based team was still, as they had all day, doing all the lead work alone.

The escapees hung on gamely to their lead, even as it dropped. With just about 30km to go, though, it finally fell beneath the one minute mark as behind them the other teams started bringing their captains into position. Finally, too, other teams were seen at the head of the field but the impetus in the field momentarily stalled as the gap to the break slowly crept back up again.

At just about the 23km mark four riders crashed, including Mick Rogers of Sky, two Movistar riders and Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank), who remained on the pavement a long time but eventually got up and continued. Shortly thereafter there was another large crash when a fan saw the need to stand in the road to make photos. The speed had been turned on for good by that time, and the lead group took only 28 seconds into the last 20km. The field, scenting the catch and possibly affected by the crashes, was much more hectic than the six escapees.

It was a rolling, curving lead in to the finale, with everyone going all out. BMC, with Marcus Burghardt, had now moved to the front of the field. The inevitable ultimately happened, and with 9km to go the six leaders were caught. Bouet held out longest, but he had no chance against the field now led by Lotto Belisol. The appearance of Andre Greipel at the head of things showed, though, that the Belgian team was not looking for a mass sprint.

The peloton was strung out as it started up the final climb, but it was still a large group. All the big names were at the front, as Orica-GreenEdge pulled them along. Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) jumped at the 2km marker, but Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) caught him on the steepest part of the climb. Cancellara pulled the rest of the field up to the two.

And then Cancellara took off with 1.5km to go! Sagan attached himself to the yellow jersey's rear wheel and the two pulled away. Cancellara was unable to drop Sagan and the lead duo were joined by Boasson Hagen with just over 500m to go, and the three went into the closing – and very high-powered – sprint.

As the field came closer and closer Cancellara opened the sprint at the 150 meter marker. Sagan moved easily around the yellow jersey holder and proudly took the win, sitting straight up and appearing to do a victory dance on his bike.

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Texas Kids Adventures

Texas Road Trip Through Europe Towns A= Paris, TX; B= Athens, TX; C= Moscow, TX; D= Berlin, TX; E= Vienna, TX; F= London, TX; G= Florence, TX; H= Holland, TX; I= Dublin, TX, J= Italy, TX

Texas has some uniquely-named towns, such as Cut-and-Shoot, Loco, Trout, Oatmeal, Ding Dong, Bacon, Noodle, Tarzan, Salty, Telephone, Energy, Coffee City, Quicksand, Gun Barrell City, and has its own Utopia as well as Uncertain.  

As settlers emigrated to Texas, they brought some European names to pay homage to their mother countries, including Paris, Athens, Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, London, Florence, Holland, Dublin and Italy.   Fortunately for Texans, this makes a fun road trip to explore Texas towns with European names.  Even better, you won’t need a passport.  If you haven’t heard of these town before, it’s probably because most are very small and lost population and industries as larger cities grew. 

The Eiffel Tower of Texas.  Photo credit.

Let’s begin our tour in Paris, Texas , complete with its own 65 foot Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat perched on top.  It’s the second largest Eiffel Tower in the world, and is around one-tenth the height of the original at 1,063 feet.  Stop by the Paris Bakery for French pastries as you explore downtown Paris and the Lamar County courthouse.  The Lamar County Historical Museum  has artifacts from the local area, including a blacksmith shop, pioneer kitchen and pioneer cabin.  Kids can stretch their legs at the Paris Downtown Community Park splash park and outdoor musical instruments.  Check out the Paris events including Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally and the Paris Balloon & Music Festival .  

Zipliner above the trees at New York, Texas Zipline Adventures.

Enjoy the rolling hills and piney woods on your road trip journey to Athens, Texas.  It was named by the stepdaughter of a founding father who had a vision that Athens would become the cultural center in Henderson county like the one in Greece.   Athens holds the title of the official “Original Home of the Hamburger”, created in the late 1880s at a downtown Athens café and introduced at the 1904 World’s State Fair in St Louis.  Athens is also known as the Black-eyed Pea Capital of the World. 

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is a production hatchery for stocking fish into Texas waterways and an educational center to learn about native species and ecosystems.  Visit over 300,000 gallons of indoor and outdoor aquariums to see many native fish, waterfowl, amphibians and alligators.  Learn about ecosystems and fishing at the museum and wetlands trail. 

The East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society is 100 acres of trees, flowers and wildlife.  The two mile rugged nature trail along spring-fed streams reveal untouched animal habitats and ecosystems.  The handicap-accessible trail is 1/3 of a mile.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars.  

Just 15 minutes away, New York, Texas Zipline Adventures offers zipline tours for ages 5 and up.  Zip through the treetops at over 100 feet above the ground.  

Lake Livingston State Park kayaking   Photo credit

Moscow, Texas There’s not much in this small town of less than 200 residents.  Stop by Johnson’s Rock Shop to find gemstones, minerals, petrified wood, and jewelry.  Polk County Memorial Museum is a small museum with history of Polk County with old maps.  Lake Livingston State Park located just 15 minutes away, on Hwy 59 on the way to Berlin.

Berlin, Texas A German settlement from the late 1840s with a cotton gin and gristmill, this town only 3 miles from Brenham and is included in their population numbers.  Berlin was founded in 1860 by German settlers.  There is also a Texas town called New Berlin in Guadalupe county.

Vienna, Texas With a population under 50, this is a tiny town once had a gin and sawmill as immigrants settled along the Navidad River.  When the Navidad flooded in 1940, structures were washed away.

Florence, Texas main street.  Photo credit.

London, Texas London is also known as London Town in the 1880s, and is home to the historic London Dance Hall with live music and dances.    Enjoy the beauty of rolling hills, oak trees and wildflowers as you enjoy the best of the Texas Hill Country in Boerne, Comfort, Fredericksburg and Kerrville area.   Nearby attractions include the Ft. McKavett State Historical Site and South Llano River State Park. 

Florence, Texas This small town established in the early 1850s had a railroad with wheat, cotton and cattle industries which led to a corn mill, blacksmith leather goods production, and eventually a hotel, saloon, flour mill.  Area attractions include lakes and rivers for water recreation and fishing.

Hill country, Fredericksburg, Texas.  Photo credit.

Holland, Texas

Holland is home to the one and only Corn Fest , an annual festival of music, 5K run, parade, and themed contests such as corn eating, corn shucking, corn bobbing, corn seed spitting, corn cob relay, corn hole and the world championship corn cob throw.  While it was cancelled in 2020, this sounds like a shucking good time you won’t want to miss for 2021.   You could leave there as a world champion!  

Dublin, Texas The Official Irish Capital of Texas, Dublin bottled Dr. Pepper for over 100 years.   This small town has plenty to explore including museums, shopping, market days, and homemade cheese and wines.  The Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Celebration includes pageants, parades, craft and food vendors, dog contests and shopping.   Dublin has a monthly Farmers Markets for fresh produce.

Italy Known as the “Biggest Little Town in Texas,” this town was named by the postmaster who thought the climate was similar to Italy.   This settlement from the 1860s had a railroad, five cotton gins, and a cottonseed oil mill.  This old cotton town now has some vintage and antique shopping and dining.

Downtown Italy, Texas

On your Texas Road Trip Through Europe Towns, you can brag to your friends about seeing towns that they probably never knew were in Texas.  You can imagine the hustle and bustle of these towns during the cotton and farming boom, and see the grand buildings that remain.  You will see backroads, woodlands, lakes and rivers, rolling hills, and beautiful scenery along the way.    When given the choice between the interstate and the backroads, always choose the backroads.  

Join our Texas Kids Adventures newsletter of curated travel to reveal kid-friendly places to visit, the best things to do, exciting events, family resorts and trip guides to create family memories.