Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026 Route stage 7: La Bridoire - Grand Colombier

Saturday 13 June – Stage 7 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes starts out as a hilly stage before finishing, 133.6 kilometres later, on a climb of the very highest order. The final ascent of the Grand Colombier measures 8.4 kilometres at an average of 10.2%, while the total elevation gain for such a short stage is also significant: 3,820 metres.

First published 6 June 2026

The uphill action begins immediately from the start with the Col du Blanchet, a 5.3-kilometre climb at an average gradient of 5.7%. Straight after the descent, the Col de Crusille adds another 2.9 kilometres at 4%, and soon afterwards the Côte de Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens completes the opening trio of ascents with 4.9 kilometres at 7.1%.

Or rather, “completes” is not quite the right word, as the KOM sprint in Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens comes 2.8 kilometres before the riders reach the actual summit of the Col du Mont-Tournier. That final stretch still averages 5.4%.

From the Mont-Tournier, the riders descend for just over 10 kilometres into Perves, where an uncategorised 3-kilometre climb at 5% awaits. The only genuinely flat section of the entire route then follows, lasting around 18 kilometres before the climbing resumes - this time on a more punishing note. The Lacets du Grand Colombier rises for 7 kilometres at an average gradient of 8.4%.

From the Lacets du Grand Colombier, it's just 8 kilometres to the finish line, but the riders are not let off that easily. Instead, they descend to Angelfort before entering a long false flat that eventually leads onto the Col de Richemond: 7 kilometres at 6%. There are still 22.4 kilometres remaining at the summit.

After the descent, it is time for the final act. From this side, the Grand Colombier is an 8.4-kilometre climb at an average gradient of 10.2%. It is a steady climb in the sense that it is relentlessly steep throughout, although the opening 4 kilometres are particularly brutal, with gradients of 10.6%, 10.8%, 12.7% and 14.9%.

The Grand Colombier previously featured twice as a Tour de France stage finish, producing stage wins for Tadej Pogačar (2020) and Michal Kwiatkowski (2023). However, the final climb was different on both occasions, as the riders continued directly from the Lacets du Grand Colombier rather than approaching it from this side.

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 7th stage 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026.

Stage 7 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes starts at 12:15 and the race is expected to finish around 16:00 - both local times (CEST).