2011 Tour de France route presentation photos

Frank Schleck, Thor Hushovld and Mark Cavendish. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE

Christian Prudhomme. Photo: Graham Watson | www.grahamwatson.com

Andy and Frank Schleck. Tour de France organisers unveiled a climb-heavy 98th edition of the world's biggest bike race in 2011 as defending champion Alberto Contador's absence weighed heavily on the presentation. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE

Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck at the presentation. Photo: Graham Watson | www.grahamwatson.com

2008 champion Carlos Sastre. Photo: Andrew Hood

Basso said he will wait to see the Giro route before deciding his 2011 plans. Photo: Andrew Hood.

Photo: Andrew Hood

Photo: AFP

Newly crowned world champion Thor Hushovd said changes in the points competition will make the Tour "even more stressful" and vowed to help Tyler Farrar in the bunch sprints. Photo: Andrew Hood.

Frank and Andy Schleck chat with Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault before the start of the Tour presentation in Paris on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Hood

Mark Cavendish. Photo: Andrew Hood.

Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez said he'll be back at Tour "to take aim for the podium. I was close last year and this route is even better for me." Photo: Andrew Hood.