The Alps rise up before the runners. The Tour de France offers a Franco-Swiss stage, Sunday July 10, between Aigle and Châtel-les Portes du Soleil. With 193 kilometres, this is the longest stage listed as mountainous by the organizers. Mainly on Swiss territory, the route offers an arrival in Haute-Savoie.
What is the stage profile?
For the first time in this Tour, the riders will tackle several cols listed in the first category, at the end of the stage. Before that, the Bellevue coast (4th category, 4.3 km at 4% average) shortly after the start of Aigle, could put any escaped riders in difficulty.
In the Swiss medium mountains, the peloton will then face the Col des Mosses (2nd category, 13.3 km at 4.1%). As soon as the small descent begins, the Col de la Croix with its steep slopes (1st category, 8.1 km at 7.6% average) will present itself, and the runners will come up against the long Pas de Morgins. With a length of 15.4 kilometres, this 1st category difficulty on the Franco-Swiss border offers slopes, on average, at 6.1%. The finish will take place straight away, after a final effort (7% just before the red flame).
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Which runners can shine?
Even if we will be far from the summits of this Tour, the three passes at more than 1,300 meters in altitude will put off more than one. Mountain specialists will obviously be at the party, even if the essential all-terrain Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) will be expected. With several strings to their bow, the Jumbo-Visma formations (Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic, Sepp Kuss) or Ineos Grenadiers (Adam Yates, Geraint Thomas, Daniel Martinez) will have a shot to play, for the general as the stage victory .
Other leaders at the start of the jagged Tour, such as Alexandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) or Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic), will be able to shine during this stage. French climbers Romain Bardet (Team DSM) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) will hope to continue their good start to the race in the mountains, where they are comfortable.
What are the schedules ?
12:20 p.m.: start of the broadcast on France 3 and france.tv
12:30 p.m.: fictitious departure
12:45 p.m. : real departure
5:28 p.m.: scheduled arrival in Châtel-les Portes du Soleil