Calm before the storm
The Alps are reached with a fairly straight forward run through the ruggedly beautiful Drôme region to Gap. The overall contenders will be happy to save themselves for three much-tougher days to come, which all but guarantees a break going early and staying clear all the way to the finish. The road rises steadily all the way until the main difficulty of the day, the 2nd-category Col de Manse. At almost 10km, this climb is long enough to split the lead group. The drop from it into the finish takes in the Rochette descent where Joseba Beloki memorably came to grief in 2003.
Details -
Distance: 162.5 km
Highest point: 1,268m
Category: Medium mountains
Sylwester Szmyd says...
"Day after the second rest day and by now you've got teams desperate to get something, so the early part will be super-aggressive. I guarantee the first two hours will be all-out war. You just know it will take ages for the break to stick."
Stage map
Stage profile
-
'Hazardous weather outlook' issued Saturday for US region where Big Sugar Gravel plans to crown champions for Life Time Grand Prix
Contingency plan from organisers includes shortening route and delaying morning starts if weather is severe -
'I should have stopped the team last year' - Belgian ProTeam Wagner Bazin WB to end as sponsor hunt fails
Team founded as Wallonie Bruxelles in 2011 to disband -
Tour de France 2026 – All the route rumours ahead of the official presentation
The details we know about next summer's men's Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes -
Best indoor cycling shoes 2025: Fast and cool shoes for indoor cycling
The best indoor cycling shoes need to be adjustable, feature lots of ventilation and deliver plenty of pedal power. Here's our favourite options
