Straight from the start the pack climbs up the famous Col de la République – a 12.5 kilometres climb at 4.5%. The steepest section is at the foot when the average grade never comes down 6% in the first three kilometres.
The Col de la République is nothing short of a legend since it was the first mountain ever to be climbed in the Tour de France. We are talking the year 1903, Hyppolite Aucouturier crested first on the 1,177 metres peak in the Massif Central.
After a long drop riders arrive in the Rhone Valley and they follow the river downstream for quite awhile. Some minor climbs are to be crested – Col du Devès, Côte de l’Aleyrac and the Côte de Buisson, and the Buisson could prove to be decisive for the stage win since it is crested with 6.5 kilometres left.
The finish is in Rasteau, a picturesque village surrounded by vineyards. Power-sprinter John Degenkolb will look forward to this one since the last kilometre rises at a 5% grade.
Here you’ll find the race results and race report.
Paris – Nice 2015 stage 5: Images and more
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