Route
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A course that literally takes your breath away:
Right from the start in Annemasse, which is hosting the Grande Boucle for only the second time in history, after 2004, you'll hit the first slopes on the Col de Saxel. After this "warm-up" at an average gradient of around 4%, the peloton will tackle a succession of three category 1 passes: the Col de Cou (7 km at 7.7%), Col de Feu (5.9 km at 7.9%) and, last but not least, the grinding Col de la Ramaz (13.9 km at 7.1%), which culminates at 1,619 metres above sea level 106 km into the course.
A technical descent will lead you into the valley all the way to Samoëns, at the foot of the Col de Joux Plane, one of the hallowed climbs of the Tour de France, which the race has scaled 13 times since 1978. At a length of 11.6 km and an average gradient of 8.5%, it is an hors catégorie ascent. By then, you'll have covered over 130 km and be up to six or seven hours into your effort. You'll have to muster every last bit of energy to reach the summit (1,691 metres).
You'll still need to keep your guard up, but the final 12 kilometres on the descent to Morzine, which has hosted sixteen Tour de France stage finishes since 1976, will come as a relief. Imagine how proud you'll feel when you cross the finish line after feasting your eyes on the exceptional landscapes of the heart of the Alps, home to the highest peaks in Europe.
