Tour de France 2014: Stage 14 - 65 kilometres of climbing over 3 tough cols

Saturday July 19th, 2014 - After the start in Grenoble, riders face three tough climbs, finishing 177 kilometres later in Risoul. A total of 65 kilometres of climbing today and with a summit finish, it could be a major stage in the GC battle. (Slideshow route/profile)

Starting in Grenoble, ascending slightly for a few kilometres and then an equally brief (but slightly longer) descent. The bottom marks the start of the long steady climb to the top of the Col du Lauteret, apart from a section near Bourg-d’Oisans where a 10 kilometres ride on a plateau brings some respite.

The ascent of the Col du Lauteret is officially 34.2 kilometres long and calculated from Bourg-d’Oisans, the starting point of the famous climb to Alpe d’Huez. Taken two last year, but today is different. The Col du Lauteret is a category-1 climb but has an average gradient of just 3.8%, so not too difficult.

The descent from the top to Briancon is 27.7 kilometres long.

Col d’Izoard
The next obstacle has a long association with the Tour. The 2.360 metre Col d’Izoard first featured in 1922 and today marks it’s 34th appearance. The climb is 19 kilometres long at 6%, with a steepest section of 8.6%. This monster is thus Hors Catégorie!

Montée de Risoul
After two ‘old timers’, the ascent to the ski resort of Risoul is losing its Tour virginity today. It’s not the hardest climb in the world, but at 12.9 kilometres long with an average gradient of 6.9%, it’s not exactly easy either.

Risoul featured in the 2013 Critérium du Dauphiné with Chris Froome solidifying his GC win on that day.