Stage 3 Genève - Poligny (157.0km)
On stage three of the Tour de France Femmes, the riders finally enter France. Shortly after the start in Geneva on Monday, they face a 157-kilometer stage that quickly takes them over the Jura mountains. After just twelve kilometers, the climb of the Col de la Faucille begins (11.4 km at 6.3%). Its summit at 1,323 meters is immediately one of the highest points of this entire Tour de France Femmes.
The peloton is likely to be significantly stretched out on the Col de la Faucille, and several breakaway riders will sense their chance to go for the stage win. To succeed, however, they will need to extend their lead further. They will try to do so on the Côte de la Lajoux (3.6 km at 5.6%) and the Col de la Savine (5.6 km at 5.1%), after 37 and 79 kilometers.
After the Savine, a long descent toward Champagnole follows, and most of the day’s climbing will be behind them. One final climb still awaits: the Côte de Chaux-Champagny (1.8 km at 6.4%), around 25 kilometers from the finish.
The last 25 kilometers toward Poligny are flat or downhill, making it ideal for the peloton to reorganize. However, the question remains how many pure sprinters will survive a stage like this. A bunch sprint is not the most likely outcome, which could make this a rather unpredictable stage.
Stage 3 Genève - Poligny (157.0km)
On stage three of the Tour de France Femmes, the riders finally enter France. Shortly after the start in Geneva on Monday, they face a 157-kilometer stage that quickly takes them over the Jura mountains. After just twelve kilometers, the climb of the Col de la Faucille begins (11.4 km at 6.3%). Its summit at 1,323 meters is immediately one of the highest points of this entire Tour de France Femmes.
The peloton is likely to be significantly stretched out on the Col de la Faucille, and several breakaway riders will sense their chance to go for the stage win. To succeed, however, they will need to extend their lead further. They will try to do so on the Côte de la Lajoux (3.6 km at 5.6%) and the Col de la Savine (5.6 km at 5.1%), after 37 and 79 kilometers.
After the Savine, a long descent toward Champagnole follows, and most of the day’s climbing will be behind them. One final climb still awaits: the Côte de Chaux-Champagny (1.8 km at 6.4%), around 25 kilometers from the finish.
The last 25 kilometers toward Poligny are flat or downhill, making it ideal for the peloton to reorganize. However, the question remains how many pure sprinters will survive a stage like this. A bunch sprint is not the most likely outcome, which could make this a rather unpredictable stage.