Tour de France Alps
VIP Spectator Tour

Stage 9

Aigle > Châtel

A demanding week comes to an end with the first authentic mountain test. The riders will have to adjust to a new tempo on the consecutive stages in Switzerland, although they won’t push them to their limits. A breakaway group with a good balance of riders could well take advantage of this comparative gentle entry into the Alps. In the final, a strong rider could impose himself on the Pas de Morgins and take victory in Châtel.

Stage

Rest Day: Morzine

Stage 10

Morzine > Megève

Taking place the day after the rest day, this stage features breath-taking mountain scenery, especially when it runs alongside Lake Geneva before heading towards Megève. The route winds its way through a series of valleys and should culminate with a battle between the race’s strong men from the one-kilometre banner. The finish line is located at the altiport like on the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020.

Stage 11

Albertville > Col du Granon

None of the contenders for the yellow jersey can afford a slip-up today. The climbs are tightly packed, starting with the Montvernier hairpins, then continuing with the crossing of the Télégraphe and Galibier passes. After passing through Serre-Chevalier, 10 kilometres of climbing at an average of more than 9% remain to reach the 2,413-metre Col du Granon, which was the Tour’s highest finishing point for 25 years.

Stage 12

Briançon > Alpe d'Huez

There’s a wink to history here as well as a desire to close the Battle of the Alps on a route tailor- made for the best climbers. It’s an exact replica of the Briançon-Alpe d’Huez stage of 1986, with the ascent of the Galibier once again on the programme, followed by the climb of the Col de la Croix de Fer, before tackling the 21 hairpins leading up to the Isère resort. It will provide an intermediate assessment of the state of play.

Stage 13

Bourg d'Oisans > Saint-Étienne

It’s fair to assume that an important episode in the battle for the green jersey will be played out in the home of Les Verts, the nickname of Saint- Étienne’s illustrious, green-shirted football team. A profile without any significant difficulty should, in theory, allow the teams that are focused on sprint finishes to make hay today. On stages of this type, breakaway riders will have little room for manoeuvre, but they can still hope for the best...

Stage 14

Saint-Étienne > Mende

The route never climbs very high, but the physical demands on the riders will be almost unceasing as they race from Saint-Étienne to Mende. This trek through the departments of Loire, Haute-Loire and Lozère will push the most robust riders into action. Then, on the Jalabert Montée de la Croix Neuve leading up to the airfield above Mende, there’s likely to be two battles: the first between the breakaway riders and the second for the overall favourites.