COURSE: This is not only the Tour’s longest stage but also the first with major climbs. The route through the Massif Central has amixture of wide, straight highways and narrow, twisting back roads, withthe hardest part at the end.

The spectacular Pas de Peyrol climb has 15-percent pitches, and is followedby two more steep uphills before a fast, technical finale into St. Flour.

FAVORITES: This is Bastille Day, so expect French names likeSylvain Chavanel among the breakaways, along with men like Michael Boogerdand Santiago Botero. Armstrong’s Postal troops might have a hard time tryingto keep things together.

STAGE 10 Limoges - Saint-Flour (147.272mi/237km)

HISTORY: The Tour finished at St. Flour just once, in 1999, whenBasque David Etxebarria attacked from a small break to win solo — but thatwas on an easier approach from the east.

Local rider Jacques Vivier (at right in photo with Fausto Coppi) wona stage finish at Limoges in 1952.

LIMOGES:
Starts: 1 (1970)
Finishes: 11 (1951-52-60-63-67-77-85-88-90-95-2000)

ST-FLOUR:
Starts: 0
Finishes: 1 (1999)