After nine largely flat stages, the 2018 Tour de France moves to the Alps and Annecy for the start of three days of climbing. The stage is 158.5-kilometers of riding that takes them over four serious climbs before a descent to Le Grand-Bornand.
If there’s anything in common between Sunday’s 9th stage that featured the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix and unpaved roads, it’s Tuesday’s passage through the Plateau des Glières using a 1.8km carriageway with no tarmac.
As it’s far away from the finish in Le Grand-Bornand, it more than likely will not impact the overall result of the stage (though there could be crashes), it will sure make things more interesting. The sections just after the climb of the Col de la Croix Fry and those with fried legs could see some trouble.
From a sporting point of view, the Col de Romme and Col de la Colombière at the end of the race make a frightening double, with the Colombière climb serving up over a 9% grade, before the downhill to Le Grand-Bornand. An escape artist with strong descending skills could make the climb and the day their own.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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