October 20, 2010 (Paris, France) – With 3,471 kilometres (2,517 miles) of racing, spread over 21 stages, including two time-trials, along the roads of 34 French departments, with a visit to Italy, the route of the Tour de France, unveiled this morning at the Paris Convention Centre, is akin to a journey through the midst of the country’s cycling heartlands.

After the Grand Start, hosted by the Vendée for the fifth time it its history, the pack will spend time in Brittany, before heading to the Massif Central for a first battle between the climbers at Super Besse. The race’s baptism with the high mountain roads will take place in the Pyrenees, with three tough gradient stages. On completion of this series, all eyes will be on the winner at the Plateau de Beille: to date every rider who has won there has also been triumphant at the end of Le Tour.

For the exploration of the Alps, the organisers insisted on the collaboration of their Italian neighbours who in 2011 will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Italian unification and who have also given pride of place to the mountains throughout the long history of the Giro. On the return of the pack to France, there will be another anniversary to celebrate: during the 18th stage, the riders will head towards the Galibier pass which Le Tour discovered one hundred years ago, in 1911. This time, the finishing line will be the highest in history, at an altitude of 2,645 metres. However, the following day’s stage will probably be more decisive, with a relentless 109-km battle, taking the riders up the Galibier pass for a second time before climbing up the Alpe d’Huez. Forty-eight hours from the final finishing line, the struggle for the Yellow Jersey could still see some surprises on the sole individual time trial on Le Tour in 2011, in a loop around Grenoble.

CLASSIFICATIONS: INNOVATIONS FOR THE GREEN AND POLKA DOT JERSEYS

Stage victory – Powerbar.
Each day, the Tour de France pays tribute to the first rider to cross the finishing line.

Yellow Jersey – LCL.
It is awarded to the leader of the general individual classification, made up by adding the times achieved on each stage.

Green Jersey – PMU.
It is worn by the leader of the points classification. New in 2011: the flat stages will only include one intermediary sprint with points awarded to the first 15 riders. The aim is to systematically involve the sprinters in the pack, even after the passage of a breakaway.

Polka Dot Jersey – Carrefour.
It is worn by the leader of the best climber classification. New for 2011: the points system and number of riders awarded points on each climb has been revised in order to reduce the gaps between the competitors. For example, points will only be doubled for a finishing line at the summit of 2nd, 1st and highest level climbs.

White Jersey – Skoda.
The best positioned rider in the general individual classification amongst those below the age of 25 years wears the White Jersey.

Team classification – Digital.
It is based on the results of the best three riders in each team on each of the stages. The riders of the leading team wear a yellow number bib.

Most aggressive rider – Brandt.
Each day, a jury mainly made up of journalists designates the most deserving rider, rewarded for his attacking temperament, boldness and fair-play. On the following day’s stage, he wears a red number bib. At the end of the race an overall award is also made.

For more 2011 Tour de France details, visit www.letour.com