Tour de France 2004

[Gavin]

Does anyone know when the tour de france route is published ?

I thought it was this week either the 21st or the 23rd October. Though I can't find any definitive answers on the internet.

[Maria David]

I'm interested in finding out about the etape du tour 2004.

On the etape du tour web site the organisers say that they will be announcing this on the 23rd October, at the same time as the full tour de france route is unveiled.

[Gavin]

Thanks for that I am hoping the tour will go to the Alps in the first / second week.

[David Lombari]

Tour to visit Limousin
The formal announcement of the 2004 Tour de France route just one week away, more details have emerged concerning the parcours for next year. After a start in Liège, Belgium and a westward march across northern France to Amiens (Picardy) and then Quimper (Brittany), the Tour will also visit the Limousin region in central/western France. The cities of Limoges and Saint-Léonard-Noblat are expected to host stage starts, while Guéret will welcome one stage finish, according to a l'Equipe report.

Cyclingnews will have full coverage of the 2004 Tour presentation on Thursday, October 23.

[David Lombari]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/tour04/

[David Lombari]

I feel a trip to watch the Ventoux & Alp stages coming on.

[the other Steve Dennis]

Both ITT's in the final week!!!!!!!!
Seems a bit weird.

[Gavin]

Well Lance may get distracted by courting Sandra Bullock as revealed in the metro this morning !

Marmotte 3rd July
L'Etape 11th July

[the other Steve Dennis]

SANDRA BULLOCK LOVES LANCE A LOT

Oct 26 2003


Speed star falls for cycling legend

By Ben Todd


ACTRESS Sandra Bullock has found new love with cycling legend Lance Armstrong.

The pair are said to be inseparable since five-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor Lance, 31, split from his wife last month.

A friend of Hollywood star Sandra, 39, said last night: "She is absolutely smitten. She really believes Lance could be the one. He's successful, determined, a survivor and, let's not forget, gorgeous!""

Lance was dianosed with testicular cancer seven years ago when he was only 24. Despite being given only a 50 per cent chance of survival he battled back to health and won his first Tour de France in 1999.

Incredibly, he has now won every tour since - and is aiming for a record-breaking sixth victory next summer. Sandra, who featured in movie hits Speed and Miss Congeniality, has now finally put an on-off romance with How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days star Matthew McConaughey, 33, behind her.

The friend said: "Up to now, Sandra has always gone back to Matthew - but Lance has changed all that."

Although the couple have known each other for some time, they first became close earlier this year planning a bicycle ride in aid of Lance's cancer charity in their home city of Austin, Texas

Lance recently gave Sandra a gold bracelet with two charms, a cyclist and a heart inscribed, You Keep My Heart Racing.

And the duo were seen enjoying a romantic dinner at exclusive Manhattan restaurant, 66. An onlooker revealed: "They were all over each other. She was rubbing his thigh and he was massaging her shoulders. At one point they even started feeding each other."

Although Lance's five-year marriage to wife Kristin was said to have ended "amicably," he recently admitted the break-up has been difficult.

He said: "I'm just trying to work through it, make the best of it, certainly to do the best both of us can for our three kids."




Ok- from the Daily Mirror, but reports are on other sites too.
I am sure there is a joke about 'Speed' in there somewhere