Reactions to 2013 Tour de France Route

Bradley Wiggins, 2012 Tour de France winner:
"My priority is the Giro d'Italia. It's become apparent that it's very difficult to compete in two grand tours and so it's very likely I'll be there [in the Tour] in a helping capacity, supporting Chris Froome." Note: Should Wiggins win the Giro d'Italia it would be a first for Great Britain. The inclusion in the Giro next year of a 53km individual time trial, unusually long for the race and Wiggins' strongest suit, makes it even more attractive for him.

Alberto Contador, winner of 2007 and 2009 Tour de France:
"It’s a well balanced route, but it’s going to be wide open right to the end, and the final stages will be really spectacular. It’s going to be great for the fans because the end of the Tour will be at altitude. We’ll have to see, but I think it’s going to be very uncertain. It’s Froome I fear the most, he’s very dangerous in the mountains and he was the strongest climber this year."

Giuseppe Martinelli, Mangager, Astana:
"The hundredth edition of the Tour de France is more difficult than the 2012 edition but still much less than so many other editions in which I participated. I think it is a tour within the reach of many, one that offers something for everyone, including us. There are opportunities for the sprinters, the climbers, in the team time trial which is always spectacular, and some stages are suited to a long breakaway. The race design does not benefit the chronoman as it did last year, nor does it favor climbers.The start in Corsica makes everything harder. It's not a classic first week of flat stages, in the second and third stages the riders will face some pretty good climbs. Whoever is racing for GC will have to arrive 100% ready in Porto Vecchio. The three Alpine stages will be very difficult, it starts with a double-Alpe d'Huez climb and followed by stages with finishes of Le Grand-Bornand and Semnoz. I do not see the Mont Ventoux stage being particularly decisive but it will be certainly beautiful."

Domenico Pozzovivo, riding for Ag2r La Mondiale next year:
"Apart from the first stage, which is not particularly difficult, the other two in Corsica are particularly challenging and this for the Tour can be an advantage because maybe there will be fewer crashes and less nervousness. I think the time trial will be less decisive for the overall ranking compared to other years, at least on paper, because the team time trial is only 25 km and the other two are not 50-55 km. In in my opinion will be the most decisive stages will be the mountaintop finishes, especially those of Mont Ventoux and the Alpe d'Huez."

Joaquin "Purito" Rodriguez, number one in the World Tour classifications, 1st 2012 Il Lombardia, 2nd 2012 Giro d'Italia:
"Now I know the parcours of the Giro and the Tour. Once I see the Vuelta's I will decide which two grand tours I will participate in."

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