On stage 6 the Tour de France Femmes heads into the climbs of the Jura, with there expected to be plenty of focus on the bandaged up riders on the start line in Remiremont after a crash unexpectedly shook up the overall standings on stage 5.
As a result of the fall which saw Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) slip into ninth overall and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) take the top slot, this 159km stage has turned into an even bigger test for a number of riders who will be carrying injuries. Vollering, for one, will line up carrying "minor bruising and superficial abrasions to her lower back and buttock" according to a medical update from the team.
It will not be an easy day to Morteau on August 16 for the riders, regardless of whether they are carrying injuries or not, as the peloton will tackle five categorised ascents, each more demanding as the stage progresses.
After the race leaves Remiremont and heads into the Moselle Valley, it isn't long before the first climb of the day, the category 3 Col du Mont de Fourche which crops up as an early test after less than 12km of racing. That gives way to the flattest, although certainly not flat, section of the days racing then at a little over halfway that gives way to a quick succession of climbs. It starts with the Col de Ferriere at 90km into the day.
The intermediate sprint momentarily breaks up the climbs at 100km into the stage and then it is onto Côte de Laviron (5.7km at 4.1%). It is then a downhill reprieve until the hardest climb of the day, the category 2 La Roche du Prêtre and the final climbing challenge is the Côte des Fines. That summits with just 15km to go, before the riders descend toward Morteau for a comparatively flat last 7km to the line.
Even though it is a stage with its challenges, it will be a last hope to hold on at the front for much of the field given stage 7 and stage 8 provide a double mountain challenge and two summit finishes for the final weekend of racing.
Stage 5 climbs
- Col du Mont de Fourche (3.2km at 5.9%) cat 3, km 11.7
- Col de Ferriere (2.6km at 4.7%) cat 4, km 90
- Côte de Laviron (5.7km at 4.1%), cat 3, km 106
- La Roche du Prêtre (5.5km at 5.6%) cat 2, km 133.1
- Côte des Fines (1.8km at 7%) cat 3, km 144.3
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