Stage 8 is an explosive race with an explosive start. Three peaks are covered within the first 22 kilometres. So that should be the tonic to ignite the fireworks early on.
Straight from the gun the riders face the Côte de Châtillon-sur-Cluses (4.7 kilometres at 5%) and after a short drop the route continues on the Côte de Rond (3.9 kilometres at 6.5%). No drop after its summit as the Montée des Gets is next. The ascent is 4 kilometres long and slopes at 4.7%, while the summit is crested at an elevation of 1,159 metres. What a way to start a stage!
An extended downhill runs to the foot of the Col du Corbier, which is a 7.6 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 7.5%. The Corbier is an extremely irregular ascent though, with more than 3 kilometres at double digits. The last 600 metres before the top go up at 10.2%. Are the GC riders going to attack this early? Let’s hope so! The Corbier is crested at kilometre 49.
A steep drop leads to approximately 20 kilometres of false flat before the Pas de Morgins appears: 4.8 kilometres at 5.3%. The riders plunge down to the foot of the Côte des Rives. This is a steady ascent of 8.5 kilometres at 6.2%. Actually, the Rives is the last proper test of the Dauphiné and the summit is crested almost 12 kilometres before the line. A 3 kilometres descent brings the riders to a rolling uphill of 8.5 kilometres with slopes fluctuating between false flat and gradients of 5.5%.
Another interesting read: results/race report 8th stage 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné.
Critérium du Dauphiné 2019 stage 8: route, profiles, more
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