Stage 7 is another long one, again backloaded with mountain passes, this time in the Alps.
Opening in Bourg-en-Bresse, a popular Tour de France stopover in the 21st century, the profile only gets serious at the 100km mark with the short but stiff Cote de Saint-Franc climb (3.8km at 6.9%).
Whoever opens a gap on the much longer Col du Granier (8.9km at 5.4%) will need to be confident in their descending skills because much of the final 18km is down a 5.8% slope, before a flatter finale into the town.
Yesterday's stage 6 was won by Maeva Squiban, providing a first stage win by a French rider at this year's Tour. Juliette Labous completed a French one-two.
Kim Le Court Pienaar, who became the first African rider to win a Tour de France Femmes stage on Wednesday, will wear the yellow jersey on stage 7.
Stage 7: Bourg-en-Bresse > Chambéry
Date: 1 August
Distance: 159.7km
Stage type: Hilly
Route profile
Route map
Chambéry’s prime location in the Savoie department, close to climbs such as the Mont du Chat and Col de Plainpalais, makes it an ideal base for the talented Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale pro cycling and development teams, whose many riders can often be seen honing their legs and fitness on the nearby passes.
“From the magnificent monastery at Brou, the race will start on flat roads on the edge of the Dombes and the Ain plain,” says race director Marion Rousse.
“The riders will skim past the Glandieu waterfall before finding their pace checked by the Saint-Franc climb.
"After passing through Les Échelles and the Guiers Vif gorges, they’ll head for the Col du Granier (8.9km at 5.4%). The dive into the finish, located in front of the Chambéry Savoie Stadium, is likely to be fast and technical.”
One to watch: Cédrine Kerbaol
Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) likes the mountains and was a winner last year in Morteau.
Today's stage could suit her nicely.
Did you know?
Chambéry hosted the 1989 Road World Championships. France’s Jeannie Longo won the fourth of five world titles.
