Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026 Route stage 6: Saint-Vulbas - Crest-Voland

Friday 12 June – Stage 6 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes packs four climbs into its 182.3-kilometre route. The final two can effectively be seen as one long finishing ascent, with 11.5 kilometres at 5.1% followed by a further 5.9 kilometres at 7.7%. The stage finishes in the ski resort of Crest-Voland.

First published 6 June 2026

For the first 60 kilometres, the route is as flat as it gets, aside from a gentle uphill drag towards the village of Lhuis. The road then becomes more rolling on the approach to the intermediate sprint and, shortly afterwards, the foot of the Côte de Châtelard, a climb of 4.3 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.7%. After the KOM sprint, there is no descent; instead, the route continues over undulating roads before the Col du Granier adds 8 kilometres at 5.7%.

Only then does the descent begin, and once back in the valley the riders continue on flat roads towards the decisive double act in the final 21 kilometres. First comes the Côte d'Héry-sur-Ugine, which climbs for 11.6 kilometres at 5.1%, before the final ascent to Crest-Voland serves up the toughest gradients of the day: 5.9 kilometres at 7.7%.

Three years ago, the predecessor to the Tour of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Critérium du Dauphiné, also visited Crest-Voland. On that occasion, Georg Zimmermann claimed victory from the breakaway, although the finale was different.

The first three riders across the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while 3, 2 and 1 seconds are available at the intermediate sprint.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 6th stage 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026.

Stage 6 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes starts at 12:35 and the race is expected to finish around 17:05 - both local times (CEST).