Tour de France revamped for 2008

With cycling in crisis, course changed to be speedier

Posted: Thursday October 25, 2007 11:25AM; Updated: Thursday October 25, 2007 11:25AM

 

 

PARIS (AP) -- The Tour de France will have revamped rules and a slightly less mountainous but hopefully more exciting course in 2008, organizers announced on Thursday, looking to inject fresh enthusiasm into cycling's doping-battered showcase race.

After the drug problems of the past two Tours, riders will cross a geographical high in 2008, scaling Europe's highest mountain pass _ the 9,193-foot Col de la Bonette-Restefond. Last climbed by the Tour in 1993, it is one of 19 major mountain passes that riders will face, two fewer than in this year's race.