The 105th Tour de France is taking place from 7 to 29 July and comprises 21 stages covering a total distance of 3,329 km. The riders will face 6 mountain stages split between legendary passes in the Alps and the tough climbs in the Pyrenees.
Here is the lowdown.
Stage 10 - Tuesday 17 July
Annecy – Le Grand Bornand (159km)
The first mountain stage of this year's tour is a tough one. Riders will face three big climbs:
- Plateau des Glières : 6km at 11,2%
- Col de Romme : 8.8km at 8,9%
- Col de la Colombière : 7.5km at 8,5%
Le Plateau des Glières - a stronghold of the French resistance - will be ridden across for the first time in the history of the Tour. With its 11% gradient, this 6km uphill ride will also mark the second time since World War II that the tour rides on a dirt track.
Stage 11 - Wednesday 18 July
Albertville – La Rosière (108km)
A short stage, covering just 108 km, but riders will have to grapple with three relatively unknown mountain passes in quick succession followed by the final climb up to La Rosière, the first mountain top finish of the tour.
- Montée de Bisanne : 12.4km at 8,2%
- Col du Pré : 12.6km at 7,7%
- Cormet de Roselend : 5.7km at 6,5%
- Montée de La Rosière : 17.6km at 5,8%
Stage 12 - Thursday 19 July
Boug Saint-Maurice - Alpe d'Huez (175km)
This is a more traditional Alps stage including three of the more famous big French alpine climbs.The tour returns to Alpe d’Huez for its 30th finish at the top of the 21 legendary hairpin bends.
- Col de la Madeleine : 2km at 6,2%
- Col de la Croix de Fer : 2km at 5,2%
- Montée de l’Alpe : 13.8km at 8,1%
Stage 16 - Tuesday 24 July
Carcassonne – Bagnères de Luchon (218km)
A long stage taking the rides to the Pyrenees and tackling some challenging climbs including the ultra steep Portet d'Aspet (17% stretch).
- Col du Portet d’Aspet : 5.4km at 7,1%
- Col du Menté : 6.9km at 8,1%
- Col du Portillon : 8.3km at 7,1%
Stage 17 - Wednesday 25 July
Bagnères de Luchon – Saint-Lary-Soulan (65km)
An unusual stage with just 65 km to cover until the final finish. It might be the shortest stage of the tour but it will take riders to its highest point - Col du Portet at 2,215m.
- Montée de Peyragudes : 14.9km at 6,7%
- Col du Val Louron-Azet : 7.4km at 8,3%
- Col de Portet : 16km at 8,7%
Stage 19 - Friday 27 July
Lourdes – Laruns (200km)
Back to the mountains for the 19th stage with 3 legendary mountain passes. Before they get there, riders will also need to ride over the Col des Bordères.
- Col d'Aspin 24.5km at 3,8%
- Col du Tourmalet : 17,1km at 7,3%
- Col des Bordères : 8.6km at 5,8%
- Col d’Aubisque : 16.6km at 4,9%