The Mountain Stages and Climbs of the Tour de France 2018
It is often said that the Tour de France is won – or lost - in the mountains. No surprise when the climbs rise as high as 2,215m (at the top of the Col du Portet in the Pyrenees) and with gradients of up to 20%+. The mountains are a great place to watch the riders battle it out!
The 2018 Tour de France will include 26 mountain climbs (or hills). As the Tour heads towards the first mountain stage – Stage 10, from Annecy on Tuesday 17th July - we take a look at the alpine stages in the Alps and the Pyrenees, and the ski resorts and villages it will pass through.
Stage 10, Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, Tuesday 17th July
For the Tour de France 2018, the first of the mountain stages starts at Stage 10, in the picturesque lake-side town of Annecy. It ends in the farming village and popular ski resort of Le Grand Bornand, reached by one final climb to the top of the infamous Col de la Colombiere. Along the way the cyclists will have to deal with the Plateau des Glieres, a new climb averaging 11% for over 6km – with some stretches over 20%. Challenging for tired legs.
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Stage 11, Albertville to Les Saisies, Wednesday 18th July
No rest for the wicked, as they say, Stage 11 is another day in the mountains. Starting in Albertville, known best as the host of the [ ] Winter Olympic Games, the stage heads up to the ski resort of Les Saisies, before heading down into the Beaufortain and the wild beauty of the Cormet de Roseland. The finish is at altitude in the pretty ski resort of La Rosiere, above Bourg St Maurice.
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Stage 12, Bourg St Maurice to Alpe d’Huez, Thursday 19th July
Next up is a biggie. The riders start back down in the valley town of Bourg St Maurice – from where you can get to the ski resorts of Val d’Isere, Tignes, Sainte Foy and La Plagne. They finish at the top of the infamous bends – 21 in total - up to the dual season ski resort of Alpe d’Huez. Along the way it tests the fittest with 2 long climbs, the Col de la Madeleine (25kms) and Col de la Croix de Fer (29kms).
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Stage 17, Bagneres de Luchon to Saint Lary Soulan, Tuesday 25th July
At only 65kms, Stage 17 looks a short one, at least on paper. However, it is packed with 3 climbs. The last, up to the Col du Portet, is the highest of this year’s Tour, to Saint Lary Soulan.
Stage 19, Lourdes to Larun, Thursday 27th July
The final chance to catch a rival in the mountains comes in the hills of the Pyrenees. Stage 19, Lourdes to Larun, is one of the longest Stages at 200.4kms and takes in the epic Col du Tourmalet, above the ski resort of Le Mongie, as well as the Col du Aubisque.
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