This appears a relatively straightforward stage, but one with an intriguing look. It links two towns that have never hosted the Tour before on roads that rarely see the race come by.
Like the Jura, which was visited just before the Alps, the Drôme region that hosts most of today’s route is a relative backwater in France, but that makes it excellent cycling country.
Stage profile
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'I didn’t really know who I was outside of racing anymore' – Fem van Empel to pin on a number again at La Choralis Fourmies but cyclocross focus fuels return of three-time world champion
23-year-old Dutch rider plans to leave the road behind so she can 'dive in and do what I love most' -
Virginia's Blue Ridge GO Cross: Canadian Maghalie Rochette and US national champion Andrew Strohmeyer win elite C1 races to begin US Cyclocross Series
Mia Aseltine, Manon Bakker on podium for elite women while Eric Brunner, Tyler Clark go second, third for elite men at USCX opener in Roanoke -
Melisa Rollins and Alexey Vermeulen win elite titles at Chequamegon MTB Festival in fourth round of Life Time Grand Prix
Defending women's champion Sofia Gomez Villafañe best of chasers in second place, while Kyan Olshave and Brendan Johnston take podium spots in 15-rider men's bunch finish -
How to watch the Vuelta a España 2025: TV, streaming, official broadcasters
Where to watch the third and final men's Grand Tour of the season from August 23 to September 14 in Spain
