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Shorter than ever 2002 Tour de France saves excitement for last
Updated: Thursday October 25, 2001 8:04 AM
PARIS (AP) -- The shortest ever Tour de France will save the suspense for the end. The route for the 2002 Tour unveiled by organizers Thursday covers 3,282 kilometers (2,034.8 miles) over 21 stages, including the prologue, and sets an event record for shortness. But four of the six key mountain stages will take place in the last eight days, making the final outcome uncertain almost until the finish in Paris. This year, Lance Armstrong wrapped up his third straight title with a whole week to go thanks to his domination in the mountains, leaving little suspense for the rest of the race. "We were criticized because nothing happened in the final stages," Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc told a news conference. "(Next year) the suspense will be maintained as far as possible until the finish." As titleholder, Armstrong had been due to attend Thursday's news conference but withdrew "because of the Sept. 11 attacks," Leblanc said. He didn't specify what concerns the Texan had. Leblanc also said security had not been reassessed. "We will wait to see how the situation evolves," he said. He said the 2002 Tour was made shorter to help fight doping in what is one of the world's toughest sports events. The endurance drug EPO was at the center of the doping scandal that nearly wrecked the 1998 edition. "You can't say you're fighting doping and impose a heavier work load for the riders," he said. The 2002 Tour starts July 6 in Luxembourg and takes riders through Germany, the flat planes of northern France, the Pyrenees mountains, the southeastern Provence region and the Alps. There is one more mountain leg than last year. The race finishes with the traditional ride down the Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 28, three days after a grueling mountain stage between Aime and Cluses in the Alps. Other difficulties include a 220.5-kilometer (136.7-mile) stretch through Provence that ends with an exceptionally difficult climb up Mont Ventoux, one of cycling's toughest challenges. Armstrong finished second there in the 2000 Tour, taking a big step toward his second title. Mont Ventoux comes after two mountain stages in the Pyrenees and before three back-to-back Alpine stages, with a rest day in between. A 179-kilometer (110.98-mile) leg between Les Deux-Alpes and La Plagne will be key to deciding the winner. Despite the changes, Leblanc said he expected an outcome similar to this year's. "We will have the same leading riders as this year," he said. The shortest previous edition of the Tour, held in 1989, was three kilometers (1.86 miles) longer at 3,285 kilometers (2036.7 miles).
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