Most Scenic Roads

Today’s short stage will start early afternoon, so we’ll go to the stage start village and watch the riders prepare for their second last day in the mountains.  We’ll arrive with time for a short ride ourselves before the team buses arrive. 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.

Our ride starts with the amazing Lacets de Montvernier with its 17 hairpins. It’s an improbable road clinging to the edge of the cliff and is one of the most scenic climbs in the world. The climb is only 2.5 km long, that’s a hairpin every 150 m. After climbing the Lacets, you have the option for another climb over Col de Chaussy, a recent addition to the tour. It is an additional 12 km of climbing from the top of the Lacets. If you turn back from the top of Lacets, you’ll have plenty of time to see the team buses at the start. Those going over Col de Chassy, you’ll still see the start, but riders will be making their final preparations.

If you’re not riding today, you’ll also have the opportunity before the stage start to see the spectacular road that took 6 years to build in the late 1920’s. After the stage start, we’ll head back to our hotel for the afternoon and catch up with the progress of the race on television, leaving the evening free for you to explore Chambéry.

TODAY IN THE RACE
Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Tignes, Mountain, 123 km

Riders 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.