The 2007 Tour de France event was the 94th held. It covered a total distance of 3553.9 km and was made up of a prologue and 20 stages
The 2007 Tour de France, the 94th edition of the race, consisted of 20 stages and a prologue, covering a total distance of approximately 3,553 kilometers (2,208 miles). The race was conducted from Saturday July 7th to Sunday July 29th 2007, which included 11 flat stages, 6 mountain stages, 1 medium mountain stage, and 2 individual time-trial stages..
The race began in London with a prologue time trial, marking the first time the Tour started in the United Kingdom, and concluded in Paris on the Champs-Élysées.
Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador emerged as the overall winner, securing his first Tour victory. Contador took the yellow jersey after the 14th stage, a mountain stage to Plateau-de-Beille, where he demonstrated his exceptional climbing riding skills. He maintained his lead through consistent performances in the subsequent stages, including a crucial individual time trial. Contador finished the race 23 seconds ahead of Australian cyclist Cadel Evans, who finished second, and American Levi Leipheimer, who secured third place..
Trivia
- There was 21 teams of 9 riders, with a total of 189 riders, starting the race.
- Some distinctive aspects of this race was 3 mountain finishes, 2 rest days, and 117 kilometers of individual time-trials (including the prologue) .
- The 2007 Tour de France opened with a prologue around the streets of central London, with London’s world famous landmarks providing a stunning backdrop. The first full stage was conducted through Kent. This was the 3rd time that the tour has visited England - it was also held in Plymouth in 1974 and two stages were held across Kent, Sussex and Hampshire in 1994.
- As was last year's event, this tour was marked by doping controversies. During the event, three cyclists were thrown out of the race and two teams withdrew after positive doping test results, including pre-race favorite Alexandre Vinokourov and the whole Astana Team, Michael Rasmussen who was accused of lying about his whereabouts preceding the Tour and failing to make himself available for random drug testing, and Iban Mayo who tested positive for EPO.
- The over all event winner Alberto Contador also won the white jersey for to the best young (under age 25) rider. (see full list of event winners)
Related Pages
- Info about the 2008 tour de france
- Information about each of the tours
- Tour de France home
- About the World of Sport in 2007
- About Sport in France