Tour de l'Ain

The Tour de l'Ain/La Route du Progrès returns to the international cycling calendar for 2005 after missing a year in 2004. The four-day race starts August 7 in St Vulbas and finishes August 10 at Lelex Monts Jura. It has traditionally favoured climbers with Christophe Oriol winning in 2002 and Ludovic Turpin en 2003.

The biggest test for any rider with ambitions of winning will be the Col du Grand Colombier, which makes its return to the race this year after being missed for the last two editions. With sections of 14 percent gradient it will provide a tough finish to stage 3 as it climbs to the finish at 1501m altitude.