Over the years, we have seen great mountain stages, but one regularly stands out, Col d’Izoard. We will set off before the professionals and watch them climb this classic.
A classic mountain stage, Col d’Izoard Over the years, we have seen great mountain stages, but one regularly stands out, Col d’Izoard. We will set off before the professionals and watch them climb this classic. The climb starts through the picturesque Gorges du Guil where the road follows a narrow gorge. We turn left leaving …
A classic mountain stage, Col d’Izoard
Over the years, we have seen great mountain stages, but one regularly stands out, Col d’Izoard. We will set off before the professionals and watch them climb this classic.
The climb starts through the picturesque Gorges du Guil where the road follows a narrow gorge. We turn left leaving the gorge road and it progressively steepens for 8 km to the last hamlet. There is 7 km to go and the landscape changes dramatically, the road narrows and the vegetation disappears and rock scree separates the rugged outcrops, this is the Casse Déserte. Fortunately, the gradient eases at this point, as you are nearing the summit.
Col d’Izoard has been the location and source of much Grand Tour folklore, particularly to do with Coppi and Bobet between 1949 and 1954 tours. The proximity to Italy makes this a regular inclusion in both the Giro and the Tour. We will watch this afternoon’s theatre play out on the biggest stage of the 106th Tour.
After the race passes, we’ll enjoy the long downhill run back to Guillestre where we can watch the final moments of today’s race. We will return to our hotel for a lovely meal. A long day, but a memorable stage to be a part of.
After the race passes, we’ll enjoy the long downhill run back to Guillestre where we can watch the final moments of today’s race. We’ll return to our hotel for a lovely meal. A long day, but a memorable stage to be a part of.
TODAY IN THE RACE
Stage 18: Embrun to Valloire, Mountain, 207 kmTouted as the biggest alpine stage of the tour, the route along Grandes Alpes features 2 hors categorie and a categorie 1 climb. The familiar names of Col d’Izoard and Col du Galibier sore above 2,000m. Climbers will be eyeing off this stage and the competition for polka-dots as well as the yellow jersey will go to a new level. After the descent off Galibier, victory at the finish will require some risk-taking.