After an Italian rest day, the Tour heads back over the Alps to France. After a fairly flat, but gradually rising 50 kilometres, the course tackles the first of the day's two hors catégorie climbs: the Col de la Lombarde, which marks the border crossing. After a long descent, the roads begin to rise again to the second of the day's massive climbs: the Cime de la Bonnette-Restefond, the highest point of this year's Tour, which at 2802 metres is also the highest paved road in the Alps.
There then follows a 23.5-kilometre descent to the finish in Jausiers, the smallest town to host a stage finish at just over 1000 in population. Once again, the high mountains should provide plenty of opportunity for the favourites to attack one another, but that long descent will allow any dropped riders a chance to make up some ground, keeping the gaps relatively small.
-
Giro d'Italia Stage 8 Live - A jagged profile to test Primož Roglič's grip on the maglia rosa
197km from Giulianova to Castelraimondo with a 13.1km long at 7.4% sitting in the middle of the route will offer a challenge to the GC standings -
Anna van der Breggen abandons Itzulia Women following stage 1 crash
Major pre-race contender confirms DNS ahead of stage 2 of the race -
How did watching cycling become so expensive, and what does it say about the business of pro cycling?
As the cost of watching cycling on TV increases, Cyclingnews analyses the driving forces behind the change and where all the money ends up -
UCI Gravel World Series – Australian champions Mark O'Brien and Tiffany Cromwell win Western Australia's SEVEN
Strong local contenders Cassia Boglio and Mark Chong have to settle for second spot in grueling home state sortie once again
