Stage Details

Stage 19 - Saturday, July 27: Régnié-Durette - Mâcon (TT)

Distance:	50km
Start Location:	La Croix Blanche
Start Time:	First rider: 10:45 a.m., then 2-minute intervals for the first until the final 20 riders, who start at 3-minute intervals.
Description:	Course: There’s always something to be fought over in the final time trial, particularly one as demanding as this 50km test in the Beaujolais region. After an opening 4km through the vineyards to Villié-Morgon, the course heads west into the hills to tackle the narrow, twisting 1000-foot climb to Fût d’Avesnes. From the summit, the riders have to negotiate a tricky downhill of 1377 feet to the Saône valley. The last 27km are rolling through the vineyards with faster roads toward the end in the city of Mâcon. History: There was one previous time trial finishing at Mâcon, in 1991. It was a 57km test starting north of the city in Lugny and was won by Induráin, 27 seconds ahead of Gianni Bugno, with Greg LeMond in third, 48 seconds back. Favorites: Armstrong is again the favorite to win the time trial — and put the icing on what should be his fourth consecutive Tour title. Behind him, there will be the usual fight for the second and third spots on the podium. Will Hamilton or Leipheimer be challenging? Or Botero and Beloki? It will be fun to see who emerges.