No miracle comebacks
"The riders will have the blue waters of Lake Serre-Ponçon as a backdrop. It is a picture postcard setting. But don't imagine this is going to be a bucolic day? Indeed, this stage could turn out to be one of the turning points of the Tour. It has been conceived with the idea of spicing up the duel between the rouleurs who can climb well such as Froome and Contador, although on paper the likes of Wiggins and Quintana should not be excluded from consideration. I think that Belgian King of the Mountains Lucien Van Impe would have loved this course? One thing is sure: those riders who don't perform well on this stage will have some real problems on the next one to Alpe-d'Huez. There won't be any miracle comebacks."
The towns / A sporting view
Embrun
Situated at the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, between lakes and mountains, Embrun is a major tourism destination in the department. Overlooking the River Durance from above, it has many assets linked to its sunny climate that has earned it its nickname of the Little Nice of the Alps as well as its proximity to the Serre-Ponçon lake and the Écrins National Park. Close to the town centre, its waterside is home to many facilities: grassy beaches, swimming pool, tennis, minigolf, sailing clubs and fishing accessible to disabled people. Out of season it is the perfect meeting place for young and old to go jogging, take a walk or go fishing. With a wealth of over 2,500 years of history Embrun can also offer its visitors the precious heritage of a land of Art and History as well as a monuments with a rich architectural history including the Maison des Chanonges, a roman building from the 13th century. Next month on the 15th August, sport will once again take centre stage in the town for the Embrunman, one of the most challenging triathlons in the world.
Web sites
Stage profile
Mountain passes & hills
No mountain passes and hills referenced in this stageChorges
At the heart of the Hautes-Alpes department between Gap and Embrun, at the foot of the Natura 2000 Piolit-Pic de Chabrières site, Chorges is built on the via Domitia, an ancient Roman way linking Italy with Spain. In his Commentaries on the Gallic War, Julius Caesar described the Caturigues – still the name given to residents of the Commune – as formiddable fighters. It was later in the 12th century that the Saint-Victor church was built, a Roman building that is today classed as an historic monument. Chorges on the banks of Lake Serre-Ponçon is famous for its Saint-Michel and Chanteloube Bays whose turquoise waters are enjoyed by amateur water sports fans. For those who prefer the mountains or the countryside there is a huge choice with various activities adapted for all levels : skiing, paragliding, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, tree climbing…Chorges, an ideal family venue also benefits from plenty of high quality accommodation : two three star hotels, three holiday villages and six campsites.
Web sites
Jersey wearers after the stage 20
- yellow jerseyWIGGINS B.SKY
- polka-dot jerseyVOECKLER T.EUC
- white jerseyVAN GARDEREN T.BMC
- the day's winnerCAVENDISH M.SKY
- teamRADIOSHACK-.RNT
- super-combativeSORENSEN C.STB
Sporting stakes
Yellow Jersey 
Green Jersey 
Red Polka Dot Jersey 
White Jersey 
Most aggressive rider 
Team classification Corporate social responsibility
Since it was founded, Amaury Sport Organisation has been involved in various sponsorship and philanthropy activities. It is the generosity of sport that can be found in a certain number of initiatives aiming to invest in the workings of the disciplines themselves (sponsorship of the French Federation of Cycling), in a humanitarian and social framework, (Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, Actions Dakar, Un Techo Para Mi Pais) or in the environmental sphere (Madre De Dios, selective sorting, etc.). Read more
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