We have 2 spectacular climbs on the cards today, Lacets de Montvernier with it's 17 hairpins and the Col du Madeleine.
Lacets de Montvernier and a stage start Today’s short stage will start early afternoon, so we will travel to the stage start and watch the riders prepare for their second day in the mountains. We’ll arrive before the team buses and watch riders sign-on. Position yourself between the team buses and the sign-on area for …
Lacets de Montvernier and a stage start
Today’s short stage will start early afternoon, so we will travel to the stage start and watch the riders prepare for their second day in the mountains. We’ll arrive before the team buses and watch riders sign-on. Position yourself between the team buses and the sign-on area for a great opportunity to get your favourite riders autograph or a selfie with them. Moments before the riders set off, they will gather beneath the depart banner and the announcer will introduce favourite riders along with the wearers of the tour jersey’s, who will position themselves along the front row.
Soon after the riders set off on the stage, we will head off on our own ride, starting with the amazing Lacets de Montvernier with its 17 hairpins. The climb is only 2.5 km long, that’s a hairpin every 150m. It is not a difficult climb at all, but a magical experience.
Our main climb then begins, Col du Madeleine. Together with Galibier and Izoard they are the most common climbs for the Tour through the Grandes Alpes. The southern approach is the most difficult, 19.2km at 8%. Settle in for the long climb. It’s beauty is equal to its length.
On reaching the summit, you can celebrate summiting another big Col and take comfort that our hotel awaits at the bottom of the descent. Our final hotel for the next two nights is strategically near the bottom of the final climb in this year’s mountain stages. We will enjoy a dinner together again tonight.
TODAY IN THE RACE
Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Tignes, Mountain, 123 kmRiders reach the highest point of the tour on Col d’Iseran (2,770m) in today’s short, but dynamic stage. It will only be the second time that the Tour has climbed up this tougher southern side. We would expect the attacks to launch to the highest point of the tour. Time gaps will eventuate at the summit finish to the ski village in Tignes.