Critérium du Dauphiné 2014 Stage 7: Ville-la-Grand - Finhaut-Émosson

Saturday, June 14th - The fearsome final weekend of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2014 opens with a 160 kilometre stage that heads into Switzerland. The grande finale is a double whammy of the Col de la Forclaz and Finhaut-Émosson. It’s the first ever summit finish on the latter, a perfect opportunity for GC contenders and mountain goats to go on the attack. (Slideshow route/profile)

Critérium du Dauphiné 2014 Stage 7 Ville-la-Grand - Finhaut-Émosson

The opening 22 kilometres are for warming up and then the climbing starts. Over a distance of 66.5 kilometres, three cols are crested. In order of appearance these are; Côte des Gets (10.3 kilometres at 4.9%, category2), Col du Corbier (7.5 kilometres at 7.5%, category1) and Pas de Morgins (6 kilometres at 5.6%, category 2).

After the 15.5 kilometre descent of Pas de Morgins, a flat section of 22.5 kilometres leads the riders into Martigny, which in 8 days time, will be the dparture town of the closing climb stage in the Tour de Suisse.

They take a different road today and head for the top of the Col de la Forclaz, a 12.6 kilometre climb with an average gradient of 8.2%. After plunging down for almost 10 kilometres the piece de resistance is served, the hors catégorie climb up Finhaut-Émosson – 10.2 kilometres at 8%.