Tuesday’s announcement of the Tour de France route saw one unexpected change to the rules; rather than having three intermediate sprints, the number will be slashed to just one per stage in 2011, with the winner nabbing a full 20 points.
That’s a real difference to before, and it is something that could have a profound effect on how the race is run off. "It will be a nervous Tour," said Belgian sprinter Tom Boonen to Sporza. “We will be immediately aware of the wind along the Atlantic coast and there is also the spectacular and treacherous Passage du Gois.
“In each stage there will be a battle. The new rules for the Green Jersey will cause even more battles between the sprinters. In every stage a big sprint ends things, but there will be also one out on the road.”
Riders such as Thor Hushovd are experienced in going for these intermediate points, with the Norwegian winning the green jersey last year thanks in part to his mid-stage forays. In contrast, his big rival Mark Cavendish has always avoided the practice of going for these sprints, arguing that they cost energy that is better saved until the finale.
Boonen believes that this attitude will not work in 2011. “Someone who goes for green cannot afford to not participate in the intermediate sprint,” he asserted. “The sprinters’ teams will all just have to figure it out. Escapees will have little freedom.”
He won the points classification in 2007 and will hope that the new style of racing will play to his advantages. After missing the race in 2008 and 2010, and being far below par in 2009, he knows it is time to turn things around.