COURSE: This is the Tour’s most difficult final time trial since1994, when stage 19 went over two Cat. 3 hills and finished atop the Cat.1 climb to Avoriaz.

None of the climbs on this circular course at Besançon is categorized, but the constant ups and downs, and the frequent turns, could cause large time gaps.

FAVORITES: Armstrong, Ullrich and Hamilton will be vying to winthe stage (and the Tour), while Mayo, Basso and Menchov will be tryingto hang on to their GC positions.

STAGE 19 July 24 Besançon - Besançon (TT) (37.284mi/60km)

HISTORY: In 1963, Jacques Anquetil clinched his fourth Tour victoryby winning the 54.5km stage 19 time trial from Arbois to Besançon.Only 28 seconds ahead of Federico Bahamontes going into the stage, Anquetilbeat the Spaniard (who placed third in the time trial) by two minutes.

The Tour likes to pass through Besançon (16 times thus far). Thiswatchmaking capital hosts a time trial this year, but in 1958 AndréDarrigade wrote a beautiful chapter in the Tour’s saga by winning a stageon the velodrome, consolation for the French team which, two days fromParis, lost its leader Anquetil, who withdrew with congestion in his lungs.

BESANÇON:
Starts: 1 (1981)
Finishes: 15 (1905-38-47-54-57-
58-60-63-64-68-74-77-88-90-96)