This route of 'Le Tour' is filled with a variety of challenges, at least up until the final week, where it is back to tried and tested climbs like the Galibier, the Col de Manse and Alp D'Huez. Only a measly 5 stages on offer for the pure sprinters, but there are plenty of chances for the attackers and the puncheurs, as well as a time trial and a team time trial. Read on for a rundown on how each stage will likely go, and the main profile information.
Stage 1- 13.8 km TT
Utrecht to Utrecht
It is a flat, technical and short TT. There won't be huge time gaps between the top favourites here, but a big battle amongst those that have their eyes on wearing the yellow jersey.
Stage 2- 166 km
Utrecht to Zeeland
A pancake-flat (or crepe?) day, with the potential for crosswinds in the second half of the stage. If not, then a non-technical sprint finish.
Stage 3- 159.5 km
Anvers to Huy
The Fleche-Wallonne stage faithfully recreates the final 10 kms of the Ardennes classic, but has rather less climbing in the lead-up. Finishing on the fearsomely steep Mur de Huy, it will be the first test for the GC riders, but the time gaps are unlikely to be huge.
Stage 4- 223.5 km
Seraing to Cambrai
Less long and less gruelling than Paris-Roubaix, which this stage attempts to emulate, it will nonetheless be very tough day in the saddle, especially if the rain comes down like last year's equivalent stage. It contains 7 sections of cobbles, 6 of which come in the final 46 kms of racing. 4 were used in this year's edition of Roubaix, with the Quievy section given a 4/5 rating for difficulty by Roubaix organisers. Very technical finish, including a 500m, 4% uphill drag to the finish line.
Stage 5- 189.5 km
Arres to Amiens
Probably a sprint stage, but also is good terrain for a breakaway, as it isn't easy to control. Fast finish with a downhill sprint after a bend 500m from the finish.
Stage 6- 191.5 km
Abbeville to Le Havre
Lots of steep but short climbing punctures this stage, but it is mostly unclassified. The finish in Le Havre is also steep and short, with an 850m, 7.5% climb summiting with 600m to go, whereupon it is a slight uphill to the line.
Stage 7- 190.5 km
Livarot to Fougeres
A day of rolling terrain for the riders, with the likely result a sprint finish. Slight uphill (2.5%) for the last 600m, but otherwise a non-technical finish.
Stage 8- 181.5 km
Rennes to Mur de Bretagne
Relatively easy day on the bicycle before the summit finish on the Mur de Bretagne (2 km, 6.9%). The lead into the bottom of the climb is technical, and could cause problems as the GC teams will all be rushing to have their riders enter the climb first. The Mur itself is also hardest at the start, with the first kilometre averaging 9.8%, before it levels off towards the top.
Stage 9- 28 km TTT
Vannes to Plumelec
A rarity on the cycling calendar, a hilly team time trial course is on the cards in this edition of the Tour. I starts with 9 km of flat, a 3.5 km uphill drag at 3%, a 4 km flat, 3 km easy descent, another shallow uphill drag (2.5 km, 2.6%), a 5 km descent into the final test of the day, the Cote de Cadoudal (1.7 km, 6.2%). Despite the climbing, the stage should be one for the teams that specialise in the discipline.
REST DAY
Utrecht to Utrecht
It is a flat, technical and short TT. There won't be huge time gaps between the top favourites here, but a big battle amongst those that have their eyes on wearing the yellow jersey.
Stage 2- 166 km
Utrecht to Zeeland
A pancake-flat (or crepe?) day, with the potential for crosswinds in the second half of the stage. If not, then a non-technical sprint finish.
Stage 3- 159.5 km
Anvers to Huy
The Fleche-Wallonne stage faithfully recreates the final 10 kms of the Ardennes classic, but has rather less climbing in the lead-up. Finishing on the fearsomely steep Mur de Huy, it will be the first test for the GC riders, but the time gaps are unlikely to be huge.
Stage 4- 223.5 km
Seraing to Cambrai
Less long and less gruelling than Paris-Roubaix, which this stage attempts to emulate, it will nonetheless be very tough day in the saddle, especially if the rain comes down like last year's equivalent stage. It contains 7 sections of cobbles, 6 of which come in the final 46 kms of racing. 4 were used in this year's edition of Roubaix, with the Quievy section given a 4/5 rating for difficulty by Roubaix organisers. Very technical finish, including a 500m, 4% uphill drag to the finish line.
Stage 5- 189.5 km
Arres to Amiens
Probably a sprint stage, but also is good terrain for a breakaway, as it isn't easy to control. Fast finish with a downhill sprint after a bend 500m from the finish.
Stage 6- 191.5 km
Abbeville to Le Havre
Lots of steep but short climbing punctures this stage, but it is mostly unclassified. The finish in Le Havre is also steep and short, with an 850m, 7.5% climb summiting with 600m to go, whereupon it is a slight uphill to the line.
Stage 7- 190.5 km
Livarot to Fougeres
A day of rolling terrain for the riders, with the likely result a sprint finish. Slight uphill (2.5%) for the last 600m, but otherwise a non-technical finish.
Stage 8- 181.5 km
Rennes to Mur de Bretagne
Relatively easy day on the bicycle before the summit finish on the Mur de Bretagne (2 km, 6.9%). The lead into the bottom of the climb is technical, and could cause problems as the GC teams will all be rushing to have their riders enter the climb first. The Mur itself is also hardest at the start, with the first kilometre averaging 9.8%, before it levels off towards the top.
Stage 9- 28 km TTT
Vannes to Plumelec
A rarity on the cycling calendar, a hilly team time trial course is on the cards in this edition of the Tour. I starts with 9 km of flat, a 3.5 km uphill drag at 3%, a 4 km flat, 3 km easy descent, another shallow uphill drag (2.5 km, 2.6%), a 5 km descent into the final test of the day, the Cote de Cadoudal (1.7 km, 6.2%). Despite the climbing, the stage should be one for the teams that specialise in the discipline.
REST DAY
Stage 10- 167 km
Tarbes to La Pierre-Saint-Martin
Relatively easy run-in to the final monster climb of the day, La Pierre-Saint-Martin (15.3 km, 7.4%). The first 10 km are the hardest, averaging 8.8% and are fairly consistent. The final 5 km are just 4,8% by comparison, and most of the difference will have to made on the first part of the climb.
Stage 11- 188 km
Pau to Cauterets
A mountainous day awaits the peleton with 3 categorised climbs in the first half of the stage only the entrée to the main course of the filling second half. The Col d'Aspin (12 km, 6%) has its descent straight into the base of the Col du Tourmalet (17.1 km, 7.3%) which begins with an easy 6 kms of climbing at 5.5% and is followed by 11.1 kms of 8.3%. A long descent from the top leads into the final ascent, the Cote de Cauterets (6.4 km, 5%), but it is likely that the main action will already have occurred at this point.
Stage 12- 195 km
Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille
An easier day (barely) in the mountains for the riders, mainly because the climbs of the stage have nice, slow descents into valleys before the climbing recommences. The Col de Portet-d'Aspet (4.3 km, 9.7%) is followed by the Col de la Core (14.1 km, 5.7%) and the Port de Lers (12.9 km, 6%), which summits with 51 km to go. There's a long descent with some more valley riding before they reach the Plateau de Beille (15.8 km, 7.9%), or rather the climb that leads to the plateau.
Stage 13- 198.5 km
Muret to Rodez
One for the puncheurs, but the break and late attackers will also have their chance with a pretty lumpy second half of the stage. The final 570 m is a pretty brutal 9.6% uphill kick to the line.
Stage 14- 178.5 km
Rodez to Mende
Curious stage here, with a hilly beginning followed by a flat middle section before the mountains are back with a tricky last 40 km of the stage. The Cote de Sauveterre (9 km, 6%) kicks things off, before there is a plateau and then a sharp descent into rolling terrain which leads to the Cote de Chabrits (1.9 km, 5.9%). This is followed immediately by a short descent into the final climb of the day, Cote de la Croix Neuve (3 km, 10.1%), which tops out 2 km from the finish. It is fairly consistently brutal and will cause some pretty big gaps, even amongst the GC favourites.
Stage 15- 183 km
Mende to Valence
The sprinters that are still present will have another chance at a stage here, with only moderate climbing to survive, all located a fair way from the finale. There are a few technical kinks in the final kilometres, most notably a roundabout with 200 metres to go.
Stage 16- 201 km
Bourg-de-Peage to Gap
Gap is recurring stage finish town, and it is often a good one for the breakaway, as the climbing in the second half of the stage is too hard for the sprinters or puncheurs to really be in contention, but it is too hard for the GC contenders to make a big difference. The final ascent is the Col de Manse (8.9 km, 5.6%) and from there it is a long, difficult descent into Gap.
REST DAY
Tarbes to La Pierre-Saint-Martin
Relatively easy run-in to the final monster climb of the day, La Pierre-Saint-Martin (15.3 km, 7.4%). The first 10 km are the hardest, averaging 8.8% and are fairly consistent. The final 5 km are just 4,8% by comparison, and most of the difference will have to made on the first part of the climb.
Stage 11- 188 km
Pau to Cauterets
A mountainous day awaits the peleton with 3 categorised climbs in the first half of the stage only the entrée to the main course of the filling second half. The Col d'Aspin (12 km, 6%) has its descent straight into the base of the Col du Tourmalet (17.1 km, 7.3%) which begins with an easy 6 kms of climbing at 5.5% and is followed by 11.1 kms of 8.3%. A long descent from the top leads into the final ascent, the Cote de Cauterets (6.4 km, 5%), but it is likely that the main action will already have occurred at this point.
Stage 12- 195 km
Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille
An easier day (barely) in the mountains for the riders, mainly because the climbs of the stage have nice, slow descents into valleys before the climbing recommences. The Col de Portet-d'Aspet (4.3 km, 9.7%) is followed by the Col de la Core (14.1 km, 5.7%) and the Port de Lers (12.9 km, 6%), which summits with 51 km to go. There's a long descent with some more valley riding before they reach the Plateau de Beille (15.8 km, 7.9%), or rather the climb that leads to the plateau.
Stage 13- 198.5 km
Muret to Rodez
One for the puncheurs, but the break and late attackers will also have their chance with a pretty lumpy second half of the stage. The final 570 m is a pretty brutal 9.6% uphill kick to the line.
Stage 14- 178.5 km
Rodez to Mende
Curious stage here, with a hilly beginning followed by a flat middle section before the mountains are back with a tricky last 40 km of the stage. The Cote de Sauveterre (9 km, 6%) kicks things off, before there is a plateau and then a sharp descent into rolling terrain which leads to the Cote de Chabrits (1.9 km, 5.9%). This is followed immediately by a short descent into the final climb of the day, Cote de la Croix Neuve (3 km, 10.1%), which tops out 2 km from the finish. It is fairly consistently brutal and will cause some pretty big gaps, even amongst the GC favourites.
Stage 15- 183 km
Mende to Valence
The sprinters that are still present will have another chance at a stage here, with only moderate climbing to survive, all located a fair way from the finale. There are a few technical kinks in the final kilometres, most notably a roundabout with 200 metres to go.
Stage 16- 201 km
Bourg-de-Peage to Gap
Gap is recurring stage finish town, and it is often a good one for the breakaway, as the climbing in the second half of the stage is too hard for the sprinters or puncheurs to really be in contention, but it is too hard for the GC contenders to make a big difference. The final ascent is the Col de Manse (8.9 km, 5.6%) and from there it is a long, difficult descent into Gap.
REST DAY
Stage 17- 161 km
Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup
As seen in the Criterium du Dauphine! The climbing grows more challenging as the day goes, with two category 3 cimbs and a category 2 before the category 1 Col d'Allos (14 km, 5,5%) which has an easy first 8 km, before the final 6 km average a more respectable 7%. The descent from d'Allos is likely to be decisive and will allow good bike handlers to gain significant time. Pra Loup (6.2 km, 6.5%) is harder than it sounds, and the final kilometre is testing at 8%.
Stage 18- 186.5 km
Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
This stage starts straight away with the climbing, and there are a number of easier challenges before the main feast of the day, the Col du Glandon (21.7 km, 5.1%). It is perhaps better regarded as three climbs with a very short respite in between each. The descent from the top is almost equally long as the climb, and leads into the Lacets de Montvernier (3.4 km, 8.2%), which will probably be the site of the winning move, as after the descent from the summit, there are only 4 kms remaining.
Stage 19- 138 km
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire
Essentially 3 very long climbs and one medium one, and the riders aren't climbing, they are descending. The climbs are relatively steady and it is their length that is the most challenging aspect of their difficulty. The final climb of La Toussuire (18 km, 6.1%) which has its hardest sections at the base, and is quite easy by the top after a fluctuating middle section.
Stage 20- 110.5 km
Madane to Alpe D'Huez
No messing around here, it's straight into the classic climbs, with the Col du Telegraphe (11.9 km, 7.1%) up first and then it is straight into the Col du Galibier (17.7 km, 6.9%) which is renowned for its particularly brutal final third. A very long descent takes the peleton into the base of the now mythic Alpe D'Huez (13.8 km, 8.1%) with all of its lovely switchbacks. A fitting setting for the final showdown of the Tour.
Stage 21- 109.5 km
Sevres to Paris
Processional for the winner up until the race hits the Champs Elysses circuit, where everyone in the mood goes on the attack and it all comes back together for a sprint anyway.
Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup
As seen in the Criterium du Dauphine! The climbing grows more challenging as the day goes, with two category 3 cimbs and a category 2 before the category 1 Col d'Allos (14 km, 5,5%) which has an easy first 8 km, before the final 6 km average a more respectable 7%. The descent from d'Allos is likely to be decisive and will allow good bike handlers to gain significant time. Pra Loup (6.2 km, 6.5%) is harder than it sounds, and the final kilometre is testing at 8%.
Stage 18- 186.5 km
Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
This stage starts straight away with the climbing, and there are a number of easier challenges before the main feast of the day, the Col du Glandon (21.7 km, 5.1%). It is perhaps better regarded as three climbs with a very short respite in between each. The descent from the top is almost equally long as the climb, and leads into the Lacets de Montvernier (3.4 km, 8.2%), which will probably be the site of the winning move, as after the descent from the summit, there are only 4 kms remaining.
Stage 19- 138 km
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire
Essentially 3 very long climbs and one medium one, and the riders aren't climbing, they are descending. The climbs are relatively steady and it is their length that is the most challenging aspect of their difficulty. The final climb of La Toussuire (18 km, 6.1%) which has its hardest sections at the base, and is quite easy by the top after a fluctuating middle section.
Stage 20- 110.5 km
Madane to Alpe D'Huez
No messing around here, it's straight into the classic climbs, with the Col du Telegraphe (11.9 km, 7.1%) up first and then it is straight into the Col du Galibier (17.7 km, 6.9%) which is renowned for its particularly brutal final third. A very long descent takes the peleton into the base of the now mythic Alpe D'Huez (13.8 km, 8.1%) with all of its lovely switchbacks. A fitting setting for the final showdown of the Tour.
Stage 21- 109.5 km
Sevres to Paris
Processional for the winner up until the race hits the Champs Elysses circuit, where everyone in the mood goes on the attack and it all comes back together for a sprint anyway.