PARIS -- With 21 stages, 23 tough climbs in five mountain ranges, three mountain-top finishes and two time trials, the route for the 2017 Tour de France, unveiled Tuesday in Paris, promises an array of challenges for the wide variety of skill sets in the professional cycling peloton.Here is a quick look at what to look forward to at the 104th edition of cyclings greatest race:---OFF WITH A BANG: At just 13 kilometers (8 miles), the opening time trial on Day One in Duesseldorf, Germany, is short enough for a good number of riders to harbor ambitions of winning it and becoming the first wearer of the race leaders iconic yellow jersey -- a guaranteed highlight of any riders career.It also isnt long enough for riders who are strong against the clock, like defending champion Chris Froome, to open up big gaps over weaker time trialers like key rival Nairo Quintana.That is good for fans, because it will mean the race isnt decided early on, but perhaps not so good for riders. With most of them still in contention after the time trial and full of nervous energy, they will race hell for leather over the next three flattish stages, increasing the likelihood of crashes that could take out top contenders.---SPRINTERS SHINE: Sprinters like Mark Cavendish, who can hit speeds of 70 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) over short distances, will be looking for victories on the stages between Duesseldorf and Day 5, when the Tour veers sharply uphill in the Vosges -- spiky, hilly terrain where bulkier, muscly sprinters struggle. They will get more opportunities for victories in Burgundy wine country at the end of week one, in week two before the Pyrenees and, of course, on the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees boulevard at the end of the final stage in Paris on July 23.---OUCH, THIS HURTS: In their perpetual quest to innovate at the 113-year-old race, Tour organizers have slightly cut down on the quantity of climbs in 2017 but ratcheted up their steepness. Six particularly steep ascents stand out, starting with 20-percent gradients up to the Planche des Belles Filles ski station in the Vosges in eastern France. Froome won the stage there in 2012. The Col du Grand Colombier, in the Jura mountains on stage nine, has the sharpest gradients next year -- 22 percent, steep enough to burn out the clutches of reporters who follow the race by car if theyre not careful.Also in the Jura are the 15-percent gradients of the Mont du Chat, last climbed by the Tour in 1974.One of the hardest climbs in France, says Tour director Christian Prudhomme.Other gradients of note are 16-percent slopes to the Peyragudes ski station and 18-percent stretches on the Mur de Peguere, both in the Pyrenees, and a 14-percent section on the Col de Peyra Taillade, on stage 15 in the Massif Central.---QUEEN STAGE: Every Tour has a stage that stands out for its difficulty and the drama that is expected to generate, the so-called Queen stage. Next year that appears to be the unprecedented mountain-top finish at the Col dIzoard in the Alps. The lunar and hostile terrain of sun- and snow-scorched rocks and the thinning mountain air on the long climb to an altitude of 2,360 meters (7,742 feet) could make the Izoard, at the end of stage 18, the last big battleground among surviving contenders for the winners check of 500,000 euros ($550,000).---LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The 23-kilometer (14-mile) time trial in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille on the penultimate stage 20 should settle overall rider placings before the largely ceremonial final ride into Paris the next day. The clock-race will start and finish in the Velodrome Stadium that is home to the citys football team, and will scoot through the Old Port, with a short climb to the white basilica that overlooks Frances second-largest city. Cheap College Jerseys . PAUL, Minn. Stitched College Jerseys . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. 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"We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said.This is a great bar room trivia question that is sure to puzzle a few people before they clue in. Name three Hall of Famers who managed in Toronto. If youre talking Blue Jays, the answer is none, at least not until next year. But well get to that later. The answer is three. All three managed the old Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League. Going in reverse order, the late Dick Williams led the Leafs to two Governors Cup titles before being promoted to the parent Boston Red Sox for the 1967 season. He led the Bo-Sox to that "Miracle Pennant", before they lost to St. Louis in the World Series. Williams went on to win two World Series in Oakland before losing one in San Diego. Of all his managerial stints in the Majors, his longest was in Montreal where he lasted five years and compiled a record of 727-380. Dick Williams was named to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 2008. The Manager who preceded Williams as skipper was George "Sparky"Anderson, who was a fan favourite with the Leafs as well. "Sparky" went on to have a sterling 26-year career in the Majors with the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers, winning World Series titles with both clubs. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000. You have to go way back to come up with the third name and he is unquestionably, the greatest player ever to manage in Toronto. Napolean Lajoie, though born in the States, had Canadian roots as his parent hailed from Quebec. He was the best second baseman of his era, and along with Ty Cobb the most fearsome hitter. He left the Majors after the 1916 season with the second most hits all-time and a career .338 batting average. Lajoie was so revered during his time in Cleveland the teams nick-name was actually changed from the Broncos to the "Naps", before later becoming the Indians after he left the team. In 1917, Lajoie became player-manager of the Maple Leafs. Not only did the team win the International League pennant (the first Lajoie had won in his career), he also won the league batting title with a .380 average. He moved on to other challenges after that 1917 campaign. This brings us back to two former Blue Jays managers, who will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2014, the next time post 1972 vintage managers can be elected. Bobby Cox who led the Blue Jays to their first Division title in 1985, but built the bulk of his Hall of Fame legacy in Atlanta is a ccinch to get in.dddddddddddd He may have only won one World Series title in 1995 with Atlanta, but he is a four-time manager of the year, the only one to win the award in consecutive years and has the fourth highest wins amongst managers all-time. Cox who turned 72 this week, also holds the record for most ejections at 158, plus three more in the post-season. Cito Gaston is also up for consideration. Yes his won-loss record of 894-837 in two separate stints with the Jays pales in comparison to Cox and other great managers. But Cito did guide the Blue Jays to four division titles, two American League Championships and back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 93. He was also the first African American Manager to win a "Fall Classic". Cito originally came to the Blue Jays to work on Bobby Cox staff as the hitting coach. It would be incredible to see them elected to the hallowed Hall in the same year. Im not sure it will happen because of the huge shadow cast by Cox, but I hope one day, the 69 year old Gaston will get his due recognition. Speaking of the Hall of Fame, the career of Giants right hander Matt Cain is going to bear watching over the next few years. Though he has assumed the mantle of ace of the Giants staff, and has two World Series rings to his credit, Cains record is only 88-80. He has a strong era of 3.35. Hes 4-2 in the post season with an even better earned run average of 2.10. As good as he is and vital as he is to the Giants staff, he hasnt had a run yet of truly dominant seasons. At 28 he should be just entering his prime. Another reason I mention Cain is because his childhood pitching instructor was none other than former Blue Jays right hander Mauro "Goose" Gozzo, who had a ranch not too far from the Cain home in suburban Memphis Tennessee. Gozzo, perhaps inspired by what he saw in the 11 year old Cain, quit his job at a waste management firm and became a full-time pitching instructor. Gozzo only pitched in Toronto for one season. Ironically, it was Cito Gastons first year at the helm, 1989. He went 4-1 and helped the Jays to their second division title and first under Gaston. After that Gozzo drifted from the Twins to Cleveland and finally the Mets before leaving the game following the 1994 season that was ultimately shortened and wiped out by the strike. His career record was only 7-7, yet "Goose" Gozzo helped Matt Cain become the pitcher he is today. 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