SHOTLIST:

Paris, France. 18th June 2013.

1. 00:00 Wide shot of Amaury Sport Organisation A.S.O. (the Organising Company of the Tour de France)

2. 00:06 Close up of Amaury Sport Organisation A.S.O.

3. 00:10 Mid shot of the entrance of A.S.O.

4. 00:15 Mid shot of Christian Prudhomme walking away from his office

5. 00:24 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Director Tour de France:

(Question regarding who is favourite to win this Tour)

"(Alberto) Contador will of course be a very important element of the picture, of the scenario of the Tour, but it will be Sky against the rest of the world with of course Chris Froome as the undisputed leader of this team."

6. 00:40 Close up (zoom out) of old photo of cyclists

7. 00:45 Wide shot of Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, next to the poster of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, the tour of 2013.

8. 00:50 Mid of photo with cyclists high on a mountain

9. 00:56 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Director Tour de France:

(Question regarding the possibilities of a comeback from Bradley Wiggins)

"I think he will be very strong on the Tour that will start in Yorkshire in 2014. In Yorkshire, there will be a magnificent stage and the next one will finish in London. I think he'll have his motivation back and be back."

10. 01:09 Pan shot of poster of Tour de France edition 2013.

11. 01:18 Close up of the stages in the Alps.

12. 01:25 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Director Tour de France:

(Question regarding doping in cycling)

"One of the fundamental questions is the capacity of finding the substances. If the medical corps would be capable to find all the substances, there would be no doubt at all. And the last years, the gap has been considerably tightened between those who cheat and those who track down the cheaters."

13. 01:48 Close up of the departure of the Tour de France in Corsica

14. 01:51 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Director Tour de France:

(Question regarding the importance of starting the Tour in Corsica)

"Two stages (in Corsica) are typically stages for punchers. Here, the favourites of the general classification will have to pay a lot of attention, because these are typically trapped stages. Those who haven't scouted the Corsican stages will have made a big mistake. On the eve of the first stage, they might say: "It's all flat, Corsica, it's all flat. There are no bends!" Two days later they will have understood why the automobile Tour of Corsica is called 'The Rally of ten thousand bends'."

15. 02:15 Mid shot of poster of the southern part of the Tour de France (Alps and Pyrenees)

16. 02:20 Pan of poster from Bretagne to the Alps

17. 02:28 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Director Tour de France:

"Cycling is friendly. Once again, it's (a sport) for families, for people who are happy to be there, for people smiling."

18. 02:35 Pan shot from the Alps to Paris, Champs Elysees.

19. 02:41 Mid shot of photo with cyclists on the Champs Elysees.

20. 02:45 Close up from the map with Paris, Champs Elysees.

STORYLINE: Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme spoke on Tuesday (18th June) and tipped Chris Froome to emerge victorious in this years race.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, expects that the 2013 event, the 100th edition of the Tour de France, will be a scenario of Team Sky against the rest of the world, with Christopher Froome as the undisputed leader of his team.

He expects Bradley Wiggins to come roaring back in 2014 after not defending his crown in this year's race, which starts in just over a week. "I think he'll have his motivation back and be back," Christian Prudhomme said in an interview on Tuesday in his Paris office.

Elite athletes, he noted, "can fall very low but rebound very quickly."

The first two stages in 2014 run through Yorkshire in northeast England, with the third going from Cambridge to London, so Wiggins will be on home ground. "I think he'll be very strong," Prudhomme said.

About the doping affairs in the Tour, Prudhomme said: "One of the fundamental questions is the capacity of finding the substances. If the medical corps would be capable to find all the substances, there would be no doubt at all. And the last years, the gap has been considerably tightened between those who cheat and those who track down the cheaters."

Prudhomme warned that the first stages on the French island of Corsica could be treacherous.

After a flat opening stage on June 29 that British sprinter Mark Cavendish, among others, will have his eye on, the race ventures over more jagged terrain inland and up the island's west coast.

From Corsica, the Tour crosses to the French mainland.

"Those who haven't scouted the Corsican stages will have made a big mistake. On the evening of the first stage, they'll be telling themselves, "It's all flat!" Prudhomme said. "Two days later they will have understood why the automobile Tour of Corsica is called `The Rally of ten thousand Bends.' Not only does it go up and down, it turns all the time."

Christian Prudhomme, himself a passionate supporter of cycling, remains optimistic for the popularity of the sport: "Cycling is a sport for families, for people who are happy to be there, for people smiling."

Reaction after 2015 Tour de France route is unveiled in Paris on Wednesday (October 22nd).

The punishing hairpin climb to the Alpe d'Huez ski station high in the French Alps will provide the dramatic climax for the 2015 Tour de France on the last day, before cycling's showcase race sweeps into Paris for its traditional finish before cheering crowds on the Champs-Elysees.

The atypical 2015 route unveiled on Wednesday by Tour organisers also sees a drastically reduced emphasis on time-trialling, plenty of opportunities for sprinters to shine and potential traps that could trip up race favorites, including a return to tricky cobbled roads in northeast France.

The race starts on July 4th in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and ends 3,344 kilometres (2,078 miles) later in Paris on July 26th, going counter-clockwise around France.

Riders get rest days before they attack the Pyrenees and then the high Alps.

Paris, France. 22nd October, 2014.

1. 00:00 Wide of TDF 2015 route presentation.

2. 00:06 Medium of cyclists.

3. 00:11 Close-up of presentation stage.

4. 00:15 Pan and top shot of mixed zone.

5. 00:20 Set-up Vincenzo Nibali.

6. 00:23 Cutaway.

7. 00:28 SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Vincenzo Nibali, TDF 2014 winner, Astana (on doping in the Astana team):

"The events that happened are related to the Iglinskiy family, so it's a separate thing and we, as a team, cannot answer for something done by the two brothers. About the last case instead, it doesn't belong to us, it is part of the 'professional' team, which is not managed by us but it's managed by others."

8. 01:22 Cutaway.

9. 01:27 SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Vincenzo Nibali, TDF 2014 winner, Astana (Q: are you the favourite?)

"It's hard to say who the favourites are, we will see it during the season, during the preparation ahead of the Tour. Certainly, the most important favourites are (Chris) Froome, (Alberto) Contador, (Nairo) Quintana."

10. 01:42 Set-up Chriastian Prudhomme.

11. 01:48 SOUNDBITE: (English) Christian Prudhomme, Tour director:

"It's a hilly Tour, yes. Its the 40th anniversary of polka dot jersey. So we'll have a first part with flat stages but we will use cobblestones, we will use the wind, two steep finish lines. And after that yes, in the Pyrenees and in the Alps yes - it will be a 'mountain-ess' Tour De France."

12. 02:12 Cutaway.

13. 02:17 SOUNDBITE: (English) Christian Prudhomme, Tour director:

"Stages are always good for the sprinters. A Tour is never good for sprinters, it's only stage wins. If you are not a climber, you can't win the Tour."

14. 02:28 Set-up Marc Cavendish.

15. 02:33 SOUNDBITE: (English) Marc Cavendish, QuickStep:

"After the first week, it will be in the mountains. With cross winds, small roads, small hills, with the cobbles. It's going to lead to a lot of stress, everyone is going to be very tired. There is lots of opportunities for me as a sprinter. I am really looking forward to it."

16. 02:48 Set-up Marcel Kittel.

17. 02:52 SOUNDBITE: (English) Marcel Kittel, Giant:

"As a sprinter I like the first week even though there are cobblestones in it. But, yeah, it will be really hard after the first stages."

18. 03:02 Pan on TDF 2015 map and route.

19. 03:08 SOUNDBITE: (French) Jean-Christophe Peraud, Ag2r:

"Cycling is not doing well in a way in relation with the number of teams are quitting. So one shouldn't point the finger at Astana. It doesn't look like organized doping. I think the UCI is putting in a lot of effort in its fight against doping."

20. 03:27 Medium of mixed zone.

21. 03:31 SOUNDBITE: (English) Cadel Evans, Former TDF winner:

"There is certainly a couple of stages that I think would suit me and my carachteristics but at the same time I had ten years committed to the TDF. I gave everything I could, the moments I could�I came away with one victory. I retire, I step away from the TDF as satisfyed competitor and a one with only very few regrets."

22. 03:56 Wide of presentation TDF 2015 stage.

STORYLINE:

Defending champion Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish spoke about the route for the 2019 Tour de France after it was announced in Paris on Thursday (25th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Next year's Tour de France will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the showcase race's iconic yellow jersey.

With France emerging from the carnage of World War I, the Tour offered its beacon of hope to the war-ravaged nation.

In 1919, the race leader's yellow jersey — which has become cycling's most iconic symbol — was introduced.

"It came straight out of the trenches, born from the rubble of a wounded France," Tour race director Christian Prudhomme said Thursday, unveiling the route for the July 6-28 race.

Joining Prudhomme on stage were five-time Tour winners Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

Only four riders, including Jacques Anquetil, have won five Tours; Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven titles for doping.

British rider Chris Froome will try to win his fifth title next year, but will have to depose his Team Sky teammate Geraint Thomas over the 3,460-kilometre (2,145-mile) race.

It features seven flat stages for sprinters, five hilly ones for all-rounders, seven mountain stages — five with summit finishes — one team time trial and one individual time trial.

The big climbs start in the Pyrenees before hitting the Alps.

The Tour has less of the Hors Categorie (Beyond Classification) climbs than before - those HC climbs are the most gruelling.

Instead, the race has more of the Category Two climbs — which are noticeably less difficult and favour attacking strategies.

Sky has won six of the past seven races, often controlling them in the mountains by easily repelling attacks.

This has given the team an aura of invincibility and the race a predictable tone.

With closer racing needed, the two time trials combine for a relatively low 54 kilometres, meaning specialists such as Froome have less chance to gain significant time advantages.

The race begins with a flat stage for sprinters around the city of Brussels and stays there the next day for the 27 kilometre team time trial.

After leaving Belgium, the Tour snakes through the Champagne and Lorraine regions.

Stage 4 for sprinters starts in Reims — the Champagne-producing city where 25 French kings were crowned in its cathedral.

With the race leaving the Alsace region, Stage 7 is the longest at 230 kilometres and made for sprinters.

The next day's stage is a hilly one, with several short but sharp climbs from Macon to Saint-Etienne.

The first rest day is July 16 in Albi in southern France, followed by a sprint stage before the Tour enters the high Pyrenees.

Stage 14 on July 20 features finishes with a climb up the Tourmalet pass, one of the most famed in Tour history.

Riders tackle three days of Alpine climbing on stages 18-20, featuring an ascent up the famed Galibier and imposing Iseran — standing 2,770 metres — and culminating with a relentless 33.4 kilometre trek up to the ski resort of Val Thorens.

After the weary peloton is flown towards Paris, the race ends the next day with its processional showcase stage on the Champs-Elysees.

Palais des Congres, Paris, France. 25th October 2018.

1. 00:00 Wide of cyclists walking on stage

2. 00:04 Mark Cavendish on stage

3. 00:10 Christopher Froome on stage

4. 00:19 Geraint Thomas on stage

5. 00:30 Froome and Thomas going back to their seats

6. 00:40 Geraint Thomas

7. 00:43 Christopher Froome

8. 00:47 Julian Alaphilippe

9. 00:51 Mark Cavendish

10. 00:57 Primoz Roglic

11. 01:01 Five-time Tour de France winners Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Indurain, Raymond Poulidor, French former professional bicycle racer known as "The Eternal Second", and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme

(UPSOUND Raymond Poulidor "Between us four we have won 15 Tour de France")

12. 01:09 Pan of Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Raymond Poulidor on stage

13. 01:21 Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme arriving on stage with map of Tour de France 2019 on large screen

14. 01:26 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

"It's solid, it's tough as ever, but it's hard to take in it all when it's so quick but there are some big stages, obviously a lot of climbs finishing over 2,000 metres, medium mountain days, you know, look hard as well so yes it's going to be a tough race."

15. 01:42 Close up Thomas' eyes

16. 01:47 SOUNDBITE (English) Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

"Yeah I think that will be really nice, I've raced in Belgium quite a lot before in the past, so yeah it will be nice to go back and obviously team time trial which we are normally pretty good at. It will be nice to try and try and win that for a change, rather than second and third, which we always seem to be."

17. 02:03 Geraint Thomas talking to journalists

18. 02:07 SOUNDBITE (English): Mark Cavendish, British sprinter who has won 30 Tour de France stages:

"It's flat enough for me, it's 21 flat dates isn't it, but yes, when you've got six or seven spin opportunities that's good, that's fair and there is that, you know. We've got the climbs. I think although there's more climbing, probably more altitude metres, it's still probably (doesn't finish sentence).... 2018 was near-on impossible to reach Paris for most of the sprinters - just the position of the climbs and the layout of the stages whereas here, though there's more climbing there's actually a better opportunity for us. If we work hard, we get to Paris. This year, it didn't matter how hard you worked physiologically, we'd never get to Paris. I was sick in the end, but I don't think even if I was well I wouldn't have reached it. It's quite nice next year - I'm looking forward to it."

19. 02:54 Tour de France presentation on large screen

20. 02:59 Cavendish watching presentation

21. 02:17 SOUNDBITE (English): Mark Cavendish, British sprinter who won 30 Tour de France stages:

"Yeah I hope so. Just back on my bike now. Yeah, there's enough time to get health... to get fit, as long as I'm healthy so I'm monitoring my health at the minute and we'll see where I'm at."

(Journalist: What does the Tour de France mean?)

It's everything for me. It's everything for every bike rider. Even guys who don't ride the road, professional track riders always dreamt of one point or another riding the Tour de France. For me it's everything, it's my career, it's what I've built everything on. It's what I'll continue to do. It's the only reason I still ride a bike now."

22. 03:30 Cavendish leaving

23. 03:35 Wide pan from audience clapping to stage

23. 03:42 Audience listening

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:47

STORYLINE:

Chris Froome and other riders reacted after the 2017 Tour de France route was unveiled on Tuesday (18th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

All five mountain ranges of continental France will feature in next year's Tour de France, setting up a gruelling, three-week racing challenge that seems tailor-made for the climbing strengths of defending champion Chris Froome and his Colombian rival, Nairo Quintana.

In their quest to keep the 113-year-old race young, organisers have again unearthed fresh racing challenges from the geography of France, with new climbs and, on stage 18, an unprecedented mountain-top finish on the punishing Col d'Izoard high in the Alps - a rocky, hostile and lunar terrain that could be the final big battleground for the winner's check of 500,000 euros ($550,000).

Before that, on stage 12 in the Pyrenees, the Tour climbs to the Peyragudes ski station where parts of the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" were filmed in 1997.

From its July 1 start in Duesseldorf, Germany, to the July 23 finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, the 3,516-kilometre (2,185-mile) route will wind over climbs in the Vosges, Jura, Massif Central, Pyrenees and Alps. Not since the Tour of 1992 have organisers made riders take on all five mountain ranges.

Paris, France. 18th October 2016.

1. 00:00 Tour de France riders arriving for presentation

2. 00:11 Chris Froome, three-time Tour de France winner, arriving for presentation

3. 00:19 Close up Chris Froome

4. 00:25 Mid of Chris Froome seated between Romain Bardet and Adam Yates

5. 00:31 Wide of Chris Froome seated between Romain Bardet and Adam Yates

6. 00:39 SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Froome, three-time Tour de France winner:

"Like every year this is an extremely tough, tough Tour de France to win. Only three summit finishes but a few very difficult challenging mountain stages. It definitely could make the race a lot more tactical in the mountains and not necessarily just about the strongest on the climb on the day."

7. 01:03 Froome on camera screen

8. 01:07 SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Froome, three-time Tour de France winner:

"It is certainly nice to see that Tour de France is returning to Germany, I think it's been 30 years now since the Tour was there. I think especially given the likes of a lot of the German riders in the peloton at the moment, we've got some really talented guys, guys like (Marcel) Kittel, (John) Degenkolb, Tony Martin. I'm sure for them it's going to be a great honour for them to be at the Tour de France with it starting in Germany again."

9. 01:38 Froome holding photo and posing with man for photographer

10. 01:46 Christian Prudhomme with officials

11. 01:50 SOUNDBITE (French) Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director:

"Yes, the stages from the beginning to the end where the Tour can play itself out, for the first time in 25 years, the five main mountain ranges. These last few years, we sometimes had three mountain stages in the same mountain range. Here, there will be a stage in the Vosges, two in the Jura, two in the Pyrenees, one in the Massif Central, two in the Alps, and a time trial at the beginning and another one nearly at the end. So it is made in a way it can play itself out everywhere and give an uncertain side to the race. That's what we are looking for."

12. 02:13 Christian Prudhomme with officials

13. 02:18 SOUNDBITE (French) Romain Bardet, French climbing specialist:

"Of course there are short stages with important differences of levels but there is no succession of difficulties and no third week as hard as the one last year for example." .

It is an interesting itinerary

14. 02:27 Romain Bardet being interviewed

15. 02:32 Pan journalists

16. 02:37 SOUNDBITE (French) Thomas Voeckler, French rider:

"I've been through everything on the Tour so what happens to me for the past few years is really like a bonus. I ride the Tour because I like it and I really enjoy the Tour De France. After, well I'll answer you after the Tour but if we win a stage with the team, or if I manage to, why not, win a fifth stage on the Tour, I'm not going to deprive myself. We saw earlier the 2016 retrospective: the various stage winners are not second rate riders, these last few years have been more and more difficult and let's face it. I'll be 38 next year. I don't have the legs I had when I was 30. The mind might still be the same but the body ages."

17. 03:16 Various shots of (from left to right) Thibaud Pinot, Romain Bardet, Chris Froome, Richie Porte, Julian Alaphilippe, Adam Yates and Thomas Voeckler on stage

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:31

Reaction after the route for the 2016 Tour de France was unveiled in Paris on Tuesday (20th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Chris Froome fancies his chances of defending the Tour de France title on a route that should suit his all-around riding skills.

Two individual time trials and 28 tough climbs will be on the 2016 Tour de France's 3,519-kilometre (2,186-mile) route, which was revealed in France on Tuesday.

Froome, who also won in 2013, is strong both on climbs and in individual time trials, making him an early favourite for 2016.

An ascent of Mont Ventoux in Provence on Bastille Day (14th July) will test the best climbers.

Froome was the stage winner when the Tour last scaled the Ventoux's barren, 1,909-metre (6,263-feet) peak in 2013 and he will be eyeing that stage for another victory.

The Mont-Saint-Michel, a Benedictine abbey perched on a rock off the Normandy coast, will provide a picture-postcard start for the race.

The first stage ends at Utah Beach, where Allied troops landed on D-Day in 1944.

The first taste of the mountains will come on stage five, in the Massif Central.

From there, there will be little respite on the next 15 stages before the last ride into Paris.

The first of the time trial on stage 13, a day after the Ventoux ascent, combines two short climbs, long flats and a tricky descent over 37 kilometres (23 miles).

Riders hoping to win time-trial gold the following month at the Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro will be able to use that tough course to gauge their form.

After the Pyrenees, where the Tour will dip into Spain and Andorra, the final placings will be decided in the Alps and neighbouring Switzerland before the finish in Paris on 24th of July.

Paris, France - 20th October, 2015.

1. 00:00 Wide pan from media to riders in audience

2. 00:06 Close of defending champion Chris Froome

3. 00:11 Mid of riders

4. 00:15 Wide pan of conference hall

5. 00:24 SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Froome, 2013 and 2015 Tour de France champion

"I think it's, it's a great parkour (course) for the next year's Tour de France. I think it really does challenge in every aspect of cycling. The time trials, the mountains.... tricky technical descent also. So, I mean it really is going to take a complete cyclist to win next year's Tour de France."

6. 00:47 Various of Tour de France route presentation

7. 01:05 Mid of Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, talking to journalists

8. 01:09 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director:

"It is true that for those who feel physically strong but that are not too sure about their nerves, who are afraid that the pressure (of the race) can drop down, having a major stage starting from Wednesday (day five), well that will take off the pressure that they feel because they will be less together with others, because the differences between riders will be already established. I believe that this Tour is for those who dare."

9. 01:31 Various of presentation

10. 01:42 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director :

"Our will was that everything can be done at the last moment... with the mountain stage just a day before the end at Champs Elysees. We already did it couple of times, but this is the first time you will have a mountain peak and a descent (in the same stage). I insist that one should be good in climbing but also in descents in the incoming Tour de France."

11. 02:07 Various of riders on stage

12. 02:25 SOUNDBITE: (English) Mark Cavendish, winner of 26 Tour de France stages

"It's a grand tour, it always favours someone who can climb and time trial. I think the two long time trials will be uphill time trial and the hard one will favour an all-rounder really, like a grand tour contender. It's simple as, it's the greatest bike race in the World. As a sprinter, it's a very hard race. (It) Provides six opportunities for a sprint and apart from that it's really difficult for us."

13. 02:53 Mid of Thibault Pinot being interviewed

14. SOUNDBITE: (French) Thibault Pinot, 2014 Tour de France top young rider

"I am really happy with the parkour (course). I think that climbers will take pleasure with two time trials that are really difficult, but there is less danger than the last year. I think it will be nice."

15. 03:09 Wide of presentation.

Chris Froome on Tuesday (17th October) said the opening nine stages of the Tour de France could be dangerous for riders as the route for the 2018 edition was released.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Defending champion Chris Froome can expect a stern challenge from Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin in next year's Tour de France.

Froome is chasing a record-equalling fifth victory to move level with Belgian great Eddy Merckx, French riders Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, and Spanish great Miguel Indurain.

Froome and Dumoulin won the three Grand Tours this year, with Froome adding the Spanish Vuelta and Dumoulin winning the Giro d'Italia.

The 105th edition of the Tour features a hilly 31-kilometre (19-mile) time trial through the Basque country on the penultimate day.

Froome is a specialist, but Dumoulin is the reigning world time trial champion.

The 32-year-old Froome is still in his prime, while the 26-year-old Dumoulin is approaching his.

The race starts on July 7 — a week later than usual because of the football World Cup in Russia — and opens with a flat 189-kilometre (117-mile) route for sprinters from Noirmoutier-en-l'ile to Fontenay-le-Comte in the Vendee region, on the Atlantic coast.

With the time trial returning after being omitted the last two years, Froome's Team Sky will be confident of creating early time gaps on Stage 3 — a 35-kilometre (21.7-mile) route starting and ending in Cholet in Western France.

But Sky faces tough competition, because Dumoulin's Sunweb team is the reigning TTT world champion.

The Tour route, which goes clockwise, features 25 mountain climbs — ranging from the relatively difficult Category 2 to Category 1 and the daunting Hors Categorie (beyond classification).

Eleven are in the Alps, four in the Massif central region and 10 in the Pyrenees.

The Tour also has more time bonuses on offer in flat stages over the 3,329-kilometre (2,064-mile) course.

The difficult climbs start on Stage 10, the first of three straight days of gruelling Alpine ascents.

But organisers have preceded that with a tricky ninth stage that could shake up the peloton.

It takes riders over 15 treacherous cobblestone sections: the highest number since the 1980 Tour, with nearly 22 kilometres (13.6 miles) altogether.

The Roubaix cobbles may perhaps trouble Froome.

The cobbles are followed by a rest day on July 16, and Froome had better make the most of it because the Alps start brutally the day after.

Stage 10 on July 17 has four difficult climbs on a 159-kilometre (98.6-mile) route from Annecy to Le Grand Bornand.

They include a punchy ascent of Montee du plateau de Glieres, featuring for the first time.

The third day of Alpine climbing begins with Col de la Madeleine, then Croix de Fer and ends with an ascent of l'Alpe d'Huez: three of the Tour's most well-known.

Dumoulin is not in Froome's class as a climber, but is not so easy to drop.

Whether he can stay with Froome through the Pyrenees, however, will prove crucial to his chances.

Three tough days of climbing in the Pyrenees starts with Stage 16 on July 24: a daunting 218-kilometre (135-mile) route from Carcassone to Bagneres-de-Luchon that follows the second rest day.

Stage 17 is short at 65 kilometres (40 miles) but cruel, with three consecutive nasty climbs, ending with an attack up Col de Portet.

Stage 19 has four ascents and then ends with a potentially treacherous 20-kilometre (12.4-mile) descent to test the concentration of tired riders.

Whoever is freshest after that will have a better chance of challenging Froome in the time trial.

The 21-stage race ends with its customary processional Sunday finish on the Champs-Elysees.

Paris, France. 17th October 2017

1. 00:00 2017 Tour de France winner Christ Froome walking towards his seat in front row and sitting between French cyclist Romain Bardet and double Tour de France winner Alberto Contador

2. 00:07 Froome talking to Contador

3. 00:13 Wide of road racing cyclists in front row with (from right to left) Mark Cavendish, Simon Yates, Nairo Quintana, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome

4. 00:18 Bardet

5. 00:23 Wide of conference hall with map on screen

6. 00:28 Wide of crowd

7. 00:33 Wide of map of 2018 Tour de France

8. 00:39 Attendees filming presentation with smart phones and clapping

9. 00:55 Wide of Froome recording video message

10. 01:01 Froome

11. 01:06 Tour de France logo

12. 01:11 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, four-time Tour de France winner and reigning champion:

"The first 8 or 9 days up in the north of France without any really big mountains, could lead to a very nervous and very dangerous first part of the race especially when it's still very close together in the General classification and got the cobbles and a section of dirt road as well. It's definitely going to take a lot of preparation, a lot of homework to get ready for this year's Tour."

13. 01:41 Bardet on phone

14. 01:46 SOUNDBITE: (French) Romain Bardet, third place finisher in 2017 Tour de France:

"Clearly it's going to be (close) – I guess it depends on the weather, but even in dry weather, there's going to be a skimming of the pack and there will be some serious losses. It could lead to one or two racers taking advantage of it and build a strong lead, but in any case, there is going to be some damage. To me, a Tour de France winner must have some luck the year he wins, but also be capable of facing all these different terrains. It's going to be a key stage."

15. 02:25 Cutaway

16. 02:30 SOUNDBITE: (French) Warren Barguil, Polka dot jersey winner in 2017 Tour de France:

"It's great – a nice stage. 65 kilometres. People say 65 kilometres, but with three mountain passes. 65 kilometres on a flat course, we could do that in about 1 hour 15 minutes, but I think there, it'll be a two and a half hour race. Or I guess it will be two hours or two hours and a quarter. It's not going to be easy."

17. 02:50 Christian Prudhomme talking to reporters

18. 02:55 SOUNDBITE: (French) Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France General Director:

"There will be a determining factor for the teams since there'll only be 8 cyclists – the choice of the 7th and 8th racer will be crucial because it's divided in two halves with 10 days in the plain and 10 days in the mountains. A cyclist like Belgian Champion Oliver Naesen was a totally decisive element for Romain Bardet in the Romans stage. Who will be the Oliver Naesen in each team? The guy who will – or Wout Poels for Chris Froome at the Alpe d'Huez in 2015. The cyclist who will be decisive at a certain moment for his leader."

19. 03:27 Prudhomme on stage

20. 03:34 Conference hall

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03.38

Team Sky's Tour de France leader Chris Froome spoke to SNTV on Monday (17th July).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Chris Froome went into the second rest day on Monday (17th July) as the leader of this Tour de France after 15 stages.

The Brit is 18 seconds ahead of Fabrio Aru (Astana), 23 seconds ahead of Romain Bardet (AG2R) and 29 seconds ahead of Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale).

Froome had a rough day on Sunday's (16th July) stage from Laissac-Severac l'Eglise to Le Puy-En-Velay, losing time because of a bike problem.

In another day of drama in a 104th Tour full of twists, Froome broke a back-wheel spoke at the worst possible time on stage 15 - just as his top rivals were picking up speed in front of him going into yet another punishing climb.

But, after recovering from the misfortune, Froome now takes the jersey and an 18-second lead over Aru into Monday's rest day, the last of two at the Tour, ahead of a crucial last week of racing in the Alps and with a time trial in Marseille.

Froome is aiming to win his third Tour de France in a row this year, as well as a fourth crown overall.

Le Puy-en-Velay, France. 17th July 2017

1. 00:00 Medium shot of Chris Froome

2. 00:07 Close up shot of Chris Froome

3. 00:11 Wide shot photographers with Froome pan right to left

4. 00:18 SOUNDBITE: (French) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

(on four cyclists being within 29 seconds of him):

"Yes, you're right this is true, it's still very open in the main field. There are still two difficult stages in the mountains and obviously the time trial in Marseille. So there are still three days which make it very difficult for the leaders. "

5. 00:51 Wide shot Froome in mixed zone

6. 00:57 SOUNDBITE: (French) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

(Q: What will be your strategy in this last week? Attack or wait?)

"In the Pyrenees, I had a very difficult day and I lost a little bit of time. So, we need to use the team. We already saw that I have the best team-mates. We're the best team in this Tour de France. They have already done an amazing job so far, they kept this yellow jersey for me. Yesterday when I had a problem with my bike, they did a very good job. It's because of them I'm still in yellow. "

7. 01:41 Close up of Froome in presser

8. 01:50 Wide shot same action

9. 01:56 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

(Q: Which of your rivals do you fear the most?)

"Each rival presents different threats.If you look at Fabio Aru, he won the first mountain top finish on La Planche des Belles Filles. He perhaps didn't have such a good day a couple of days ago. But he's been strong in the third week before so we'll have to wait and see how he goes. Romain Bardet has always been strong in the last week of a grand tour. He's also got the team to back him up. As we saw yesterday he put me under a lot of pressure. We really had to use the whole team to control that situation. Rigoberto Uran, maybe more of the dark horse who has slips under the radar a little bit. He's probably the strongest time triallist of this group of GT riders. With Marseille in mind, he's a big threat as well."

10. 03:03 Wide shot of Froome leaving presser

11. 03:16 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

(Q: How much time can you lose in the Alps ahead of the time trial in Marseille? )

"I'm certainly not going to give any seconds away for free. As I had a bad day in the Pyrenees, it could be the case again in the Alps. I'm feeling better and better as the race goes on. These last few days, even with yesterday's stage, I felt pretty good yesterday. Hopefully that's a sign of timing things right and coming into the tour really fresh. I hope this third week I'll be at my best."

12. 03:50 Wide shot Froome walking to his bus.

13. 03:58 Wide shot of Froome getting out his bus and signing autographs.

14. 04:11 Close up of signing.

15. 04:18 Close up of Froome on bike.

16. 04:27 Wide shot team going to training.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 04:43.

Team Ineos rider Geraint Thomas said on Monday's rest day that he is "itching to go" ahead of the final week of racing at the 2019 Tour de France.

Second-placed Thomas gained 27 seconds on yellow jersey holder Julian Alaphilippe on Sunday's stage 15, as a late attack saw him distance the Frenchman towards the Prat d'Albis summit finish.

Three big mountain days are still left to race before the Tour's traditional conclusion in Paris, and Thomas will be intent on making further inroads into Alaphilippe's lead, which stands at one minute and 35 seconds.

On Saturday, the Welshman had lost crucial time on the Col du Tourmalet, but his response on Sunday kept him in contention as he bids to retain the Tour de France title.

Tuesday's 177 kilometre relatively flat stage 16 in Nimes is likely to see a bunch sprint finish.

Nimes, France. 22nd July 2019.

1. 00:00 Various of Geraint Thomas entering news conference

2. 00:15 Geraint Thomas (left), Team Ineos general manager Dave Brailsford (centre) and Egan Bernal (right) in news conference

3. 00:23 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos rider:

(About taking time out of Julian Alaphilippe's lead on Sunday and looking ahead to the Alps)

"We stick together. I think obviously yesterday (Sunday), I said on the radio that I didn't feel great coming into the last climb. As it turns out, I did feel great at the top. But, yeah, I think the main thing is, going into the Alps now, I feel motivated to get there and really try and finish this Tour off well. It has been slightly up and down here, for sure, and race compared to last year. But the main thing for me is that I finished strongly yesterday (Sunday), and I am really just itching to go now. I much prefer the Alps - I have got a lot better memories from there for obvious reasons. Yeah, I'm just looking forward to it."

4. 01:16 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos rider:

(About managing his effort to remain in contention overall and the soaring temperatures in France this week)

"Yeah, yesterday (Sunday), like I say, I finished really strongly so, yeah, it's not an issue. If that is my bad day, to lose 30 seconds on the Tourmalet, is quite a good day really. And like Dave (Brailsford) said, you win a Grand Tour by being good all the way through, and managing your effort all the way through, not going into that deep, deep red zone often - save that for the final day or two. So I feel like I have managed that effort really well so far and I'm feeling good for it. Yeah I'm looking forward to the Alps now and, altitude-wise like in training in Tenerife, a drop off of watts is never really as much as most people so I'm relishing that opportunity and the heat, it is the same for everyone. I have ridden in that heat Down Under (Australia) numerous times over the years and got used it, so it is no problem."

5. 02:23 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos rider:

(About Team Ineos' performances in this year's Tour de France)

"Egan (Bernal) is fifth and I am second. I think we are still doing pretty well. Ok, yeah, we are not in the yellow and we are not riding on the front all day everyday. But like Dave (Brailsford) said, there is more than one way to win the Tour and this situation is completely different, and we don't have to pull when there are other teams that want to do it as well. So I think we are still in a super strong position the boys as well... Dylan (van Barrle) for instance, has been incredible, the way he has been going this year. I think he has been one of the standout guys in our team. I think everyone has ups and downs and I think it is how you deal with that. But, yeah, I am confident that we are all in great shape and a great position, and looking forward to some big Alpine climbs."

6. 03:22 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, Team Ineos rider:

(About Nairo Quintana telling his team he was having some difficulties during the Col du Tourmalet, but Alejandro Valverde said that he did not mention anything)

"I think it is easier when you have good communication with the rest of the team. That has happened before, and he (Nairo Quintana) has always has been very honest. As a fellow Colombian, he told me that he was not in the best condition. I have been ahead of Nairo in the race. I think it is good for the race and for the teams (to have that competition and communication between riders). In my case, if I am ahead (in the race) maybe other riders could have some doubts, because a rider from Ineos is ahead and they do not want to help me out. I think there is a lot of strategy around, but again, the leader in our team is Geraint (Thomas) and we will give our all for him."

Tour de France leader and home favourite Julian Alaphilippe said on Monday's rest day that he and his team have "changed the plan" as he bids to preserve the "honour" of wearing the yellow jersey.

Quick-Step rider Alaphilippe has the weight of home expectation to become France's first Tour champion for 34 years, and that pressure showed during Sunday's stage 15 when current champion, Team Ineos' Thomas, gained 27 seconds on the 27-year-old.

Alaphilippe is prepared to adapt his approach to stay out in front, with his lead over second-placed Thomas now at one minute and 35 seconds.

The Frenchman said that lead is "almost nothing", given the mountainous route the Tour will take before Sunday's traditional conclusion in Paris.

Tuesday's 177 kilometre relatively flat stage 16 in Nimes is likely to see a bunch sprint finish.

Nimes, France. 22nd July 2019.

1. 00:00 Julian Alaphilippe enters news conference

2. 00:07 Wide of news conference

3. 00:15 SOUNDBITE (English): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About how he will change his approach to preserve his lead in the yellow jersey)

"For sure, it is really a big honour to be in yellow during the Tour. So we have changed the plan and we defend it. I give everything every day, like you see. I don't go in a breakaway now. I ride like the leader of the Tour de France, so I don't know what will happen over the next days, but for sure I will continue to defend the jersey. My team also, like yesterday (Sunday), they did a really great job again and I am looking forward to starting the last week."

4. 01:01 SOUNDBITE (French): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About the difficult stages which lie ahead in the Alps)

"The more we move closer to Paris, the more my feeling is different and special. I am realistic about the fact that there are only difficult stages ahead. I already knew this situation before. I did not stop saying that the hardest was still to come. It started at the Tourmalet where I really surprised myself. Yesterday (Sunday), we saw that it was a very difficult stage too. It will be hard until the end. I don't want to dream but I'm sure I'll do my best."

5. 01:36 SOUNDBITE (French): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About how his lead remains a precarious one ahead of the final week of racing)

"One minute and 30 seconds advantage is a lot and, at the same time, nothing considering the next few stages. It is possible to have a failure and lose so much time in a (mountain) pass of 15, 20 per cent or even more, because the stage of Val Thorens is such a difficult climb to the summit. When you look at the profile of the next stages, a lead of one minute 30 seconds is almost nothing."

6. 02:01 SOUNDBITE (French): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About another Frenchman, Thibaut Pinot, and his approach in the mountains)

"Thibaut Pinot showed over the last few days that he is in exceptional form in the mountains. He can count on a very strong team (Groupama) around him. So I think he will continue to attack and ride in that way to make a difference. It is in his interest to do that."