This short Alpine stage is loaded with climbs (3,500m in total) from the gun and bookended by two big ascents – the second a familiar foe to Tour pelotons of yore.
After the opening Col de Plainpalais, the route features a series of ups and downs until we reach the Maurienne Valley, in the shadows of the giants of the region.
Today’s particular monster is the hardest side of Col de la Madeleine from La Chambre at 466m. Around 18.6km later, at 2,000m altitude, comes the finish line – an 8.1% climb that rarely relents.
Since it’s the queen stage – the one seen as the most challenging and critical – the winner at the summit will likely come from one of the yellow jersey contenders.
EF Education-Oatly's Cedrine Kerbaol secured her second successive stage win yesterday, with Kim Le Court holding on to the yellow jersey.
Stage 8: Chambéry Saint-François-Longchamp > Col de la Madeleine
- Date: 2 August
- Distance: 111.9km
- Stage type: Mountain
Route profile
Route map
“There’ll be no respite on what’s the queen stage of the 2025 edition,” says race director Marion Rousse.
“It’ll head into the Bauges massif straight away, with the first major difficulty coming on the way out of Chambéry in the form of the Col de Plainpalais (13.2km at 6.3%).
“After crossing the less demanding Col du Frêne, the race will reach the Maurienne and tackle the toughest flank of the Madeleine.
“Extending to 18.6km, with regular changes in gradient (averaging 8.1%) and a rough surface, this climb will provide plenty of opportunities to create gaps.”
One to watch: Demi Vollering
Demi Vollering, racing for new team FDJ-Suez, will be seeking an upturn in fortunes. There were fears she would have to abandon the race after being checked by doctors for concussion following a crash on stage 3, but she was cleared to race on.
Did you know?
The daunting Col de la Madeleine has featured 25 times in the men’s Tour since 1969, but this is its first summit finish.
