2012 Giro d’Italia and Tour de France routes revealed

The last few days have seen the organizers of the two most prominent Grand Tours officially release next year’s parcours. Next season’s Giro is being characterized as “more human” than this May’s edition which had extreme climbs and descents, along with long rider transfers between stages. 2012’s Tour de France will feature more time-trialing, something that will favour current champion Cadel Evans of BMC.

Alberto Contador, this season’s Giro winner, was on hand Sunday for the course unveiling in Milan, only to confirm that he’ll be skipping next year’s chase for the pink jersey to concentrate on grabbing his fourth Tour victory. The Italian race will start in Denmark for the first three stages. For the climbers, stage 16’s ascent to Falzes and a penultimate day that takes in the Mortirolo and the Stelvio catch the eye. Rouleurs will benefit from the short opening time trial in Herning, stage 4’s team trial and the final race against the clock in Milan.

Today Tour de France race organizer ASO’s Christian Prudhomme presented the route of the 99th edition. The course is notable for having only three summit finishes, the last on stage 19’s climb to Peyragudes coming the day after the riders cross the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde. Two individual time trials of 38 km and 52 km will play into the hands of Evans and Bradley Wiggins, though one wonders how well Sky will juggle both Wiggo and new World Champion Mark Cavendish’s aspirations.

The Giro will take place from May 5- 27 and the Tour will run from June 30 to July 22