When you think of the profile of an mountain stage of the Tour de France, I expect this is what springs to mind. With the profile of a shark’s jaw line this is the toughest of the two stages which visit the Alps this year. Basically, it’s either going up, or it’s going down. In fact the organisers have had to add a detour in at the bottom of the Col de la Madeleine in order to find enough flat road for the intermediate sprint. I rode the route of this stage in the Etape du Tour a few days ago, so hopefully should be able to offer some insight as to how the race may unfold.
Col de la Madeleine
After just under 10 miles of racing (including a few dodgy railway crossings at acute angles) the riders will hit the base of the Col de la Madeleine with a tight right turn. The first few kilometres are the steepest of the climb as the road twists its way up the steep mountainside through a series of hairpin bends. If a break hasn’t formed already it will do now, with climbers looking for polka dot jersey points and the possibility of a few sprinters looking to get over the Madeleine with an eye on the sprint at its base. After five kilometres the road flattens slightly, meandering through the trees with even a few kilometres of descent after the village of Villard-Soffray. Beyond here the climb rises steadily up to a maximum of slightly over 10%, before finally breaking out of the trees for the steep final couple of kilometres to the summit. The descent through Saint-Francois-Longchamp should be relatively simple, but does still contain some technical sections.
Col de la Croix de Fer
After the intermediate sprint at St Etienne-de-Cuines the Col de la Croix de Fer rises straight out of town through a tree-lined valley similar to the Madeleine. The 7% average gradient for the first six kilometres may suggest a consistent climb, but in reality it is a continuous change of anywhere between 4% and 9%. It is only once out of La Chal after 11km that the average gradient begins to steepen. Still meandering up the valley the road ramps up to 10% as the riders will begin to see the final hairpins up to the top of the Col du Glandon. The final turns up to the summit could be the toughest of the whole day if the wind is blowing down the valley as the riders struggle up the steep final section of the Glandon. After a very brief descent, the riders will make the left hand turn onto the final ascent of the Croix de Fer, carrying speed on the good road surface, which will deter any attacks in the final 3km to the summit. The descent off the Croix de Fer is technical in places, particularly on the narrow road of the first couple of kilometres and through the ski resort of Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, and also contains some dodgy road surfaces, but should not worry those who have ridden the route prior to the race.
Col du Mollard
Agonisingly for the grupetto, the left hand turn at the junction at the bottom of this climb has a sign for La Toussuire. Unfortunately for them, they will be taking the right hand fork, over a bridge, and straight onto the toughest first kilometre of the Col du Mollard. Although it may appear easy, this climb is wildly inconsistent in its gradient, including short sections of 12%, and generally doesn’t have the perfect surface of many other more established Alpine climbs. However, perhaps the most important part of this climb, is the descent. 13km long, highly technical and poorly surfaced in places, it is surely the place for the better descenders to look for make a break. If Vincenzo Nibali opened a minutes gap on the way down the Grand Colombier, he will surely be looking for more on this descent, particularly if he has ridden it beforehand. Plus there is no flat section afterwards – we’re straight onto the final climb.
La Toussuire
At the bottom of the descent of the Mollard the race takes a sharp left turn up a side street on the outskirts of St-Jean-de-Maurienne and onto the lower sloops of the climb up to La Toussuire. Up to the hamlet of Fontcouverte after 8km the climb is much as you would expect for one up to a ski resort: wide, well-surfaced, and with a relatively steady gradient. However, shortly after this the signposts to La Toussuire will be pointing right, while our riders will be going left. After a few hundred metres of slight downhill the riders enter the trickiest section of the climb. The surface deteriorates rapidly as the road negotiates a few hairpin bends which, while the average gradient may say 8.5%, ramp up well into double figures coming out of the bends. If Sky have managed to keep the race together up to this point, this is wear the other contenders must make things difficult. After passing through La Corbier, the finish will be in sight for the last three kilometres as the gradient lessens. A left hand turn into under the flame rouge and into the resort itself sees the final metres of the climb before it flattens off for the final 750m. An exposed, straight finish, expect a headwind with the winning move being made in the final metres.
Conclusions
One of the shortest stages in the race, this could encourage long range attacks from riders needing to gain big time on Wiggins. For the GC contenders, the smallest climb on the stage could also be the most crucial, as the Col du Mollard provides a perfect springboard for an attack, followed dare-devil descent and a final scramble up to La Toussuire. However, the last climb seems suited for Team Sky to work to bring track any threatening moves, although the final six kilometres will prove tricky. As for the breakaway, it will be a matter of conserving energy on the first two long climbs before trying to hold off the GC battle which will be rapidly encroaching on their lead come the finale.
Student Cyclist 