The Tour de France returns to the high mountains on this national holiday. It is not yet the Alps but the Jura mountains and more particularly the Grand Colombier at the top of which the day will end. The strong men of the race have an appointment for the hors d’oeuvre of a triptych which will take them to Chamonix on Sunday evening.
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier: 137.8 km.
Departure of the caravan at 11.55 a.m. – Fictitious departure at 1.40 p.m. – Expected arrival around 5.20 p.m.
The figure: 17.4
The number of kilometers you have to climb to reach the summit of the Grand Colombier at an altitude of 1,534 m. This is the sixth time that this high peak of the Jura, reputed to be among the most difficult climbs in France (7.1% average gradient) has been climbed. The first time was in 2012 and Thomas Voeckler had taken the lead. The last time was in 2020 during the Tour du Covid disputed in September. It was Slovenian Primoz Roglic who came out on top up there. At that time, we thought he had won the Tour. But Tadej Pogacar had decided otherwise a few days later.
Our favorites
For several days now, the bosses of the Tour have been hiding and letting the adventurers or the sprinters cut their teeth. It’s up to them now. During the next three days, the Tour will not be won for Jonas Vingegaard or Tadej Pogacar. There will remain next week, the terrible climb of the Col de la Loze and a time trial that could change things. But one of the two could lose the race, starting with this Friday at the top of the Grand Colombier. One of the two will want to impress his opponent, sting him where it hurts. The big final explanation can start like fireworks this July 14th.
The tracer’s eye, Thierry Gouvenou
“It’s July 14. The Grand Colombier is a place where we tested different formats: a passage or a loop around it. This time, we changed perspective with a completely flat stage before, followed by a steep climb of the Grand Colombier which is not nicknamed the Bugey pyramid for nothing. We are expecting an incredible explosion on this short stage. Everything is calculated for this. It’s not a steady climb. The switchbacks are incredibly beautiful and offer incredible views of the Rhone and the Alps. Let’s not forget that we are in the Jura massif. If one reaches the foot of the ascent at full speed, it hurts and incredible failures are not excluded. »
