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Stage 7 - Lunéville to Karlsruhe >228.5km

July 8, 2005

Published: Jul. 8, 2005
Stage 7 - Lunéville to Karlsruhe >228.5km
Stage 7 - Lunéville to Karlsruhe >228.5km

Course: The two early climbs may encourage some attacks, but the flat final half of this stage through the Rhine Valley virtually guarantees a bunch finish in Karlsruhe.

History: The only time the Tour has visited this part of Germany was in 1987, when the race started in Berlin two years before the Wall fell. The third stage was in two parts: The short morning leg was won in a solo break by Belgian Herman Frison in nearby Pforzheim (where stage 8 begins), while the afternoon leg began in Karlsruhe.

Favorites: The expected huge crowds lining the long (1.2km),wide finishing straight in the German city of Karlsruhe will all be cheeringfor a homeboy to win this stage. But things don’t always work out accordingto plan: When the Tour last had a German stage town en route, Erik Zabellost the mass sprint in Saarbrücken to Freire. Neither man will bein this Tour, though and Cooke, Thor Hushovd and the Nazon brothers (Damianand Jean-Patrick) will also be on the hunt for a stage win.