Tour de France 2016 Route stage 7: L’Isle-Jourdain

Tour de France 2016 Route stage 7: L’Isle-Jourdain – Lac de Payolle

Friday, July 8, 2016 - The riders face a 162.5 kilometres stage between L’Isle Jourdain and Lac de Payolle. En route they are to crest only one mountain, but this definitely is an all time favourite in the Tour de France. The Col d’Aspin is in the race since 1910. The stage closes with a drop to Lac de Payolle and then a 1 kilometre climb to the finish line.

Both the departure and arrival place are debuting in La Grande Boucle. Lac de Payolle is an artificial lake in the French Pyrenees that has been the backdrop of the race in the past. For instance, last year the riders thundered past the shores before attacking the Tourmalet in stage 11.

The Col d’Aspin looms after Sainte Marie de Campan. From this village the climb is 12 kilometres at 6.5%, while kilometre 8 is steepest at 9.5%. After cresting at an elevation of 1,490 metres a 6 kilometres drop takes the riders to around 1,100 metres and then a short closing climb kicks in – 1 kilometre at 4.2% and the last metres of stage 7 are a false flat uphill.

The Aspin is in the Tour de France as of 1910. Back then the mountain pass was featured in the stage from Luchon to Bayonne, which was won by Octave Lapize.

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

Stage 7 of the 2016 Tour de France leaves at 1:15 pm and the riders are expected to finish at around 5:20 pm, both local times. See also the scheduled times.

Race report/results 7th stage, 2016 Tour de France.