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Summary The Olympic road time trial gold medalist will have to negotiate four summit finishes.
Bradley Wiggins faces a tough defence of his Tour de France title in 2013 after organisers unveiled one of the most punishing routes in race history here on Wednesday.The Olympic road time trial gold medalist will have to negotiate four summit finishes including a gruelling stage 18 when the peloton must ride up the punishing Alpe dHuez climb twice just four days before the Champs Elysees finish on July 21.The route also features three consecutive mountain stages during the final week including the penultimate stage - also for the first time in Tour history.It is what it is, you know. Its the same for everybody and youve just got to do it, but its going be a tough day for sure, Wiggins said in reference to the double ascent of Alpe dHuez.I havent seen the race in a lot of detail but I saw Ventoux and a couple of time-trials but its a lot to take in in 20 minutes and Im not used to looking at it in October.After what Wiggins described as a challenging first week where mishaps are a distinct possibility, the peloton hits the mountains for the first time on stage 8 with two beyond category slogs including the summit finish over 7.8 km to Ax-3-Domaines.Time-trials have been cut by a third in 2013 which will also work against the Englishman and may play into the hands of former champions Cadel Evans of Australia and Spaniard Alberto Contador who is returning to the race after a one-year absence for doping.There are 28 climbs over 20 stages but the final three mountain stages in the Alps are sure to prove decisive, while the legendary Mont Ventoux ascent comes into play on stage 15 which will add to the fatigue.Following the Alpe dHuez punishment, there are five medium but difficult climbs the following day on the way to Le Grand Bornand and it will be crucial for the yellow jersey contenders to conserve energy for the penultimate stage.
