The route for the 2004 Tour de France was announced. This time they'll go around France counter-clockwise (they seem to alternate directions every year). I was hoping they'd cover Mont Ventoux so that Lance would have a final chance to win that stage, but it's not part of the route. What is interesting is that they are visiting Alpe D'Huez for the second consecutive year, but they're using it for an individual time trial this year! Alpe D'Huez has never been part of an ITT. That will be an interesting stage.
Of course, the primary drama, assuming both men make it to the start line in good form, will be the battle between Lance and Jan Ullrich. Lance is now 33, looked vulnerable last year, and Jan is 29, heading into the years when Lance was in his prime. No one has ever won six before, and some people think it's for good reason, that the human body just can't sustain that strength against that competition over so many grueling miles and years. In the eyes of many, Jan is already the betting favorite for next year.
It's going to be, as they are so fond of saying in the cycling world, epic.
[I have nothing to say, really, about the rumored romance between Lance and Sandra Bullock. Really, I tried to think of something when a few of you asked me to, but I drew a blank]