The 2008 Tour de France route has been announced, and it’s marked by no prologue, fewer big transfers between stages and fewer time-trial miles, but lovers of the big climbs will be happy with the inclusion of mountain giants like L’Alpe d’Huez and Hautacam. It’s one of those counter-clockwise years, so the Pyrenees are on tap before the Alps. For whatever reason, I prefer it when the Tour goes clockwise, but either way it looks like this will be an interesting race.

Check out the great CyclingNews coverage for a race preview, thoughts from some of the riders about the course, and the race map. And start planning your 2008 travels accordingly.