After a flat stage on Sunday and a rest day on Monday, the 2011 Tour de France resumes on Tuesday with a medium mountain stage as a transition to Alps over the rest of the week. The race starts at Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and makes its way 162.5 km (101 mi) to Gap. This will be Saint-Paul's first time as a stage town while Gap will be one for the 21st time. In last year's race, residents of Gap formed a life-sized version of the town's logo.
From the starting line at Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, the cyclists face an uphill battle to a high point around Moydans at about 762 meters above sea level before a descent that sets them up for the sprint at Veynes. Still an uphill climb at that point, the riders finally reach Gap at the 139th kilometer with a steep decline. But at the 151st kilometer the uphill climb on the Col de Manse features a 9.5 km trek to the top, 1,268 meters above sea level. At the top the riders will be about 11 kilometers from the finish line.
Check out VERSUS at 6 a.m. MT for live coverage of the race.
Here is the current top five leaderboard for the general classification (yellow jersey):
1. Thomas Voeckler 65:24:34
2. Frank Schleck 65:26:23
3. Cadel Evans 65:26:40
4. Andy Schleck 65:26:49
5. Ivan Basso 65:27:50
For in-depth coverage of the race, visit out cycling blog, Podium Cafe, and our SB Nation StoryStream.