Tour de France 2016 Route stage 15: Bourg en Bresse – Culoz

Not less than seven times the asphalt lies in an unwelcoming way on the crust of the earth. In an alternating tango of steep cols, short climbs and fast drops the riders will be sure of one thing – yes gentlemen, you are going to have a hard time. Interspersed with nameless climbs, Col du Berthiand, Col du Sappel, Col de Pisseloup, Col de la Rochette and Col du Grand Colombier (twice, once called Lacets de Grand Colombier and not going to the top) total sixty kilometres of climbing, making the stage a dream for KOM-contenders who just fail in the high mountain.

The Grand Colombier debuted in the 2012 Tour de France with Thomas Voecler climbing to victory at the 12.8 kilometres climb at 6.8%. Maybe the Grand Colombier inspires a ‘Grand Colombian’ like Nairo Quintana to attack, albeit the finale is not his forte as a 5.5 kilometres drop marks the beginning of the finale of the race. Once in the valley a downhill false flat takes the riders at breakneck speeds to Culoz.

The arrival place is hosting La Grande Boucle for the first time ever.

Back in the days, the village saw the first sprints by four-time European champion Christophe Lemaitre, one of the world’s fastest white men in 100 and 200 metres. It’s a fair gamble the Tour de France will not see a sprint in Culoz…

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses at 10, 6 and 4 seconds.

Results/race report 15th stage, 2016 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2016 stage 15: Route maps, height profiles, etc.

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