Tour de France organizers unveiled the 2008 route on Thursday which contains fewer mountain climbs, less time trialling in tandem with some radical rule changes that they hope will lead to a more exciting battle for the yellow jersey. Riders will tackle Europe's highest mountain pass -- the near 3,000 meter Col de la Bonnette-Restefond, one of 19 major climbs, but two fewer than the 2007 edition.And for the first time since 1967, the race will start with a full road stage from Brest to Plumelec in Brittany -- instead of the opening prologue time trial against the clock.
It is hoped that the measure will give more riders, and not just time trial-experts, the chance to win the coveted yellow jersey from the start.
Adding further unpredictability to the mix, organizers have done away with time bonuses that were awarded to the the first few riders across the line each day and those who were among the first at other fixed points along the route.
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