Critérium du Dauphiné 2024 Route stage 7: Albertville - Samoëns 1600

Saturday 8 June - The 7th stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné takes in three intermediate climbs before a mountain top finish in ski station Samoëns 1600. The 155.3 kilometres route includes an elevation gain of 4,500 metres. The climb to the line is a beast, spanning 10 kilometres with an average gradient of 9.3%.

The route climbs from the start, gradually getting steeper until the Col des Saisies is crested after 33.4 kilometres of action. The Saisies is a 9.4 kilometres ascent with an average gradient of 6.6%, and the riders descend from the top to the base of the uphill kicker to Notre Dame de Bellecombe, just 700 metres long but averaging 12.2%.

Following a negligible downhill, the route continues as a false flat to Megève. The riders then descend into the Arve Valley, and after 13 kilometres on the flat, the Côte d'Arâches begins. This 6.1 kilometres ascent slopes at 7.1%. The route does not descend straight away, but a few kilometres later. The riders then fly down into the Le Giffre valley and follow the river for 4 kilometres before tackling the Col de la Ramaz. The 13.9 kilometres climb at 7.1% peaks with 37 kilometres remaining.

After cresting the Ramaz, the riders fly back down into the valley of Le Giffre. They follow the river this time for 10 kilometres in the opposite direction before the finish climb kicks in from Samoëns.

The ascent to the Samoëns 1600 ski station is a brutal test - 10 kilometres long with an average gradient of 9.3%. Overall, it's even harder than that statistic suggests, as the first kilometre is negligible, the second is somewhat steeper, and the subsequent kilometres go up at 12.3%, 10.2%, 11%, and 10.8%, respectively. The last 4 kilometres to the top average 8.6%.

Last year's Tour de France also moved through Samoëns, but the race tackled the Joux Plane on the opposite side of the valley. Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard were watching each other, allowing Carlos Rodriguez to catch up and eventually walk away with the stage win.

The first three riders at the finish gain time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint has 3, 2, and 1 seconds on offer.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 7th stage 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné.

Another interesting read: results 7th stage 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné.