2011 Tour de France
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The 2011 Tour de France was the 98th edition of the race. It started on 2 July at the Passage du Gois and ended on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on 24 July. The cyclists competed in 21 stages over 23 days, covering a distance of 3,430.5 kilometres (2,131.6 mi). The route entered Italy for part of two stages. The emphasis of the route was on the Alps, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the mountain range first being visited in the Tour. Cadel Evans of the BMC Racing Team won the overall general classification. Andy Schleck of Leopard Trek was second, with his brother and teammate Fränk third.
The Roman amphitheatre at the Puy du Fou theme park hosted the team presentation ceremony on 30 June.
Alberto Contador's now-disqualified Giro d'Italia victory made him the leading contender for the Tour's general classification.
The Col du Galibier in the Alps was climbed twice to celebrate the centenary of the introduction of the mountain range into the Tour.
Garmin–Cervélo's Thor Hushovd (pictured in stage eight) wore the race leader's yellow jersey after his team's win in stage two's team time trial until the end of stage eight.
Tour de France
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The Tour de France is an annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France. It is the oldest of the three Grand Tours and is generally considered the most prestigious.
Maurice Garin, winner of the first Tour de France standing on the right. The man on the left is possibly Leon Georget (1903).
1936 Tour de France
Jacques Goddet memorial at the top of the Col du Tourmalet
Jacques Anquetil (centre), Raymond Poulidor (left) and Federico Bahamontes (right), podium of the 1964 Tour de France