This year, if you can't make it over to France to follow The Tour, the good folks @ Google are happy to provide you with 3D satellite maps of the course. Ain't technology wonderful?
More details below in the clip from today's
press release:
"From July 1-23, cycling fans can visit every stage of the race virtually using Google Earth's satellite imagery, enabling users to fly over all 20 legs of the race, including the famous mountain competition.
Not only will users be able to view the course terrain in 3D, but with one click they can get information about the race of the day and the various stages (including the town hosting both the departure and arrival and the average time for each rider).
The Tour de France on Google Earth is available in French, German, Spanish and English so that worldwide cycling enthusiasts can follow this classic race and discover Europe.
The new service is available on the official website of Tour de France:
www.letour.com/2006/TDF/LIVE/us/400/r2_google_earth.html
For more information, please see today's Google Blog post at: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/"