The complete highlights from 2008

Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France was made up of 21 stages and covered a total distance of 3,500 kilometres.

These 21 stages had the following profiles:
- 10 flat stages,
- 5 mountain stages,
- 4 medium mountain stages,
- 2 individual time-trial stages.

Distinctive aspects of the race:
- 4 mountain finishes,
- 2 rest days,
- 82 kilometres of individual time-trials,
- 19 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed.

It's a fundamental principle: a Tour that starts in Brittany finishes with the crowning of a cycling giant. Look at the evidence: Brest 1952: 1st Coppi; Rennes 1964: 1st Anquetil; Brest 1974: 1st Merckx; Plumelec 1985: 1st Hinault; Saint-Brieuc 1995: 1st Indurain!

Five stars on a flawless prize list. Coppi, Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain: five cycling legends who, in turn on the Tour, garnered the force in Brittany to clinch an ultimate triumph in this prized race three weeks later. Is this not the stuff of tales and legends, a tribute to the doyen of cycling races from its greatest riders?

For the first time in more than forty years, the 2008 Tour de France started with a straight stage. Usually only a small number of specialists in solitary effort can aspire to winning the first yellow jersey. This year however, near to two hundred riders dreamed that this Holy Grail was within their reach. A remarkable first stage, from Brest and its great sailing ships to Plumelec, where bold challengers, sprinters and potential candidates for final victory all had the opportunity to win fame.

In the land of Bobet and Hinault the Tour de France is at home. Brittany wanted the Tour. The Tour wanted Brittany. Roll on 2008!

Rated: E (Exampt from Classification)
Duration: 525 mins
Released: 2008