Cycling: The 2017 Tour de France is just around the corner. As every year, the 104th edition will be decided primarily in the mountains. But at which stage are the key climbs on the program? We took a closer look at the route profile of the 2017 Tour de France.
2 x time trials / 3 x hills / 5 x mountains
Eleven sections of the 2017 Tour de France were classified as flat stages by the organizers. Two time trials with a total of a little less than 30 kilometers will cause time gaps in the overall classification. But the big differences will be in the mountains. Three very bumpy sections and five tough mountain stages should be enough to gradually decimate the field of favorites. Richie Porte (BMC), Chris Froome (Sky) and co. must of course be on guard on all 21 stages. But some mountains can certainly be called key climbs. Where will there be the toughest fights for the yellow jersey? Which mountain could bring the decision? Velomotion analyzed the key climbs.
Stage #5: La Planche des Belles Filles
Already on the 5th stage, the classification and mountain riders have to dare to come out of their cover for the first time. From Vittel, the route takes the field over 160,5 kilometers to the Planche des Belles Filles in the southern Vosges. Although the section was only classified as hilly by the organizers, there is a full mountain finish to be admired here. La Planche des Belles Filles is 5,9 kilometers long and has an average gradient of 8,5 percent. This is where some pros will break a sweat and a change of yellow jersey looks almost certain. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) in particular should be happy with this arrival.
Stage #9: Mont du Chat
The ninth stage of the Tour de France can certainly be described as the king's stage with three mountains of the highest category. Among other things, it goes up the Col de la Biche and the Grand Colombier. As if that weren't enough, 26 kilometers from the finish, the summit of Mont du Chat awaits the riders. If you don't have good legs that day, you won't be able to win the Tour de France. Because the Mont du Chat is 8,7 kilometers long and has an average gradient of 10,3 percent. These numbers alone are impressive, but by the time the riders reach the bottom of the final climb, they've already covered almost 150 kilometers - including the Col de la Biche and the Grand Colombier.
Stage #12: Col de Peyresourde & Peyragudes
The drivers have to cover 214,5 kilometers on the twelfth stage. It could get down to business up the Port de Balès. But since the summit is still 30,5 kilometers from the finish line, some of the rankings will certainly wait. Finally, the well-known Col de Peyresourde follows, before then going up in the Pyrenees to the Peyragudes ski station. The Col de Peyresourde is almost ten kilometers long and has an average gradient of 7,8 percent. After a short descent, it will be another 2,4 kilometers long with an 8,4 percent increase. Even if the end is something for puncheurs, they will probably have been distanced from the pure mountain riders beforehand. If a good skier has already had to accept a large gap before this stage, an interesting attack down the Port de Balès can occur on this twelfth stage.
Stage #17: Col du Télégraphe & Col du Galibier
Even if many well-known mountains are already behind us, there are of course still a few climbs on the program in the third week of the Tour de France. The Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col du Télégraphe and the Col du Galibier have to be crossed in one day. Due to the distances to the finish, these climbs will hardly play a decisive role. After the summit of the Col du Galibier, it's still 28 kilometers downhill to the finish. Best chances for the escapees. If you want to win the mountain jersey, you should also make a note of this stage.
Stage #18: Col d'Izoard
If the winner of the Tour de France is still in question before the 18th stage, a showdown awaits us at the Col d'Izoard. The 14,1-kilometer final climb has an average gradient of 7,3 percent. The mountain of the highest category is the last decisive climb of the Tour de France 2017. Here the tide can be turned around again.