The journey links Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and Grand Colombier, a 17.4-kilometre pass with an average gradient of 7.1%
From 1,500 meters from the Grand Colombier you can see an impressive 360 degree view that allows you to see Lake Léman, Lake Annecy, Mont Blanc or the Rhone Valley, a watchtower that clarifies the landscape.
Since its first ascent in the 2012 Tour de France, the height of the Jura massif has also become accustomed to providing a clear vision of the state of form of the peloton, because its ramps do not leave you indifferent, neither for the beauty of the place, nor for its hardness.
Two weeks after the start of the Tour in Bilbao, the battle between the danish Jonas Vingegaard and the slovenian Tadej Pogacar He has not had a second of respite. Every time the terrain has allowed skirmishes, the two cockerels of the general have taken the opportunity to hit each other.
But the skirmish that keeps them at a distance of 17 seconds in favor of the Nordic has not made it clear which of the two is stronger. Pogacar cited problems with his still-sore wrist when he lost time in the first Pyrenean stage, before delivering two ax blows to his rival in the next two, showing the Dane’s weaknesses.
What is the real state of the forces of each one on the eve of the arrival in the Alps? The ‘Bugey pyramid’, nickname of this particular mountain, will serve as a thermometer.
In ten years, the Grand Colombier has made a name for itself among the places that the race usually visits and its isolated image, like a lighthouse that illuminates the region, makes it an emblematic place for fast stages with a tremendous finish.
It will be the sixth time that the Tour peloton has climbed its heightsalthough only the second to place a goal there, after Pogacar’s victory in 2020.
There is little doubt that the stage starting in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne will end with an exceptional fireworklike those launched in France on its national holiday, since the organizers have done everything to prepare a perfect battlefield.
The whole day is designed for the final fireworks. Only 137.8 kilometers, practically flat, with a non-scoring tackbefore facing the last challenge, with the forces intact, all the energy at the service of a spectacular climb.
The Grand Colombier promises a lot of fightplace each one at the maximum of their power, as Pogacar demonstrated three years ago, winner of the only stage that has finished at that top so far.
The Slovenian surpassed his compatriot Primoz Roglic, who kept the yellow, but the rise served to rule out the defending champion, Colombian Egan Bernal, from the fight for the yellow.
the longest slope
On this occasion, the organizers have opted for the longest slope, the one that begins in Culoz and has 17.4 kilometers of ascent with an average slope of 7.1%with the strongest ramps in the initial and middle section, with percentages above 10%, and more extended at the end.
The chosen route will allow you to visualize its beautiful ties, where the curves follow one another in just a few kilometers and where the heads-up appear in a more crystalline way, where direct sensations take precedence over the coldness of the machines.
“I’m looking forward to going back,” said Pogacar, that he keeps good memories of the Grand Colombier and that he hopes to take advantage of his explosiveness again to deal a third blow to Vingegaard.
The Dane is not intimidated. He seems somewhat tired of being asked about his rival and points out that he faces the remainder of the race “in good condition and with a lot of confidence”.
Vingegaard awaits his terrain, harder and longer stages, where wear and tear take the initiative over dry attacks, in which the Slovenian has the advantage.
Conclusions will come from the Gran Colombier for the alpine days, the most important of the Tour more mountainous in recent years.
The weekend has two high altitude stages. On Saturday, three ‘firsts’ will be promoted before the Joux Plane, in a special category, whose summit is 12 kilometers from the finish line in Morzine. On Sunday the arrival will be in the port of Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, first class.
After a day of rest, the time trial will arrive, demanding and ascending, before facing the ascent to Col de la Loze on Wednesday, for many the queen stage of the edition.
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Stage 13: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier, 137.8km
Exit: 1:55 p.m. (11:55 GMT)
Expected arrival: 17:21 (15:21 GMT)
Mountain: Grand Colombier (Special), 17.4 km at 7.1%, at the finish line.