Tour de France 2016 Route stage 8: Pau – Bagnères de Luchon
Saturday, July 9, 2016 – At 184 kilometres, stage 8 of the 2016 Tour de France takes the rider into the Pyrenees. At the end of this tough ordeal the finish line is in Bagnères-de-Luchon, the famous spa also known as the ‘Queen of the Pyrenees’.
Located close to the Pyrenees, Pau is a popular spot for mountain stages in the Tour de France. No less than 67 times the town hosted La Grande Boucle.
It all starts out quietly with a first half that’s flat to gently sloping, while the infamous Col de Tourmalet is crested after 86 kilometres in the saddle. Last year the pass featured in stage 11 (win Majka), but this time it is conquered from the other side, making it a 16.8 kilometres climb at 7.7% with a steepest section at 11.6%.
Following a drop, which is as long as the ascent, comes the Hourquette d’Ancizan – 22 kilometres at 4% with a steepest section at 12.2%. For the first time in Tour de France history the mountain is climbed on the western slopes.
Col de Val Louron is the next hurdle – 7.4 kilometres at 8.3% with maximum grades at 13%. The 2014 Tour de France climbed the pass in stage 17, leading to Pla d’Adet with Rafal Majka (him again) taking the flowers.
Mentioned stage also featured Col de Peyresourde. This time it is no different. After 18 kilometres of climbing – at an average grade of 4.9% and a maximum grade of 11.7% – the summit is crested with 14.5 kilometres left to race. As these are mainly downhill, the finale suits fast descenders.
Arrival place Bagnères-de-Luchon is a famous spa in the Pyrenees. Back in 1910, the town hosted the first two mountain stages in Tour de France history, both won by Octave Lapize. The last time La Grande Boucle visited was in 2012 with Thomas Voeckler soloing to victory.
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses at 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Race report/results 8th stage 2016 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2016 stage 8: Route maps, height profiles, etc.
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Riders - Tour de France 2016 Route and stages - Tour de France 2016 GC Favourites - Tour de France 2016 More articles Giro 2022 Route stage 10: Pescara - Jesi
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 10: For strongman sprinters
Giro 2022: Withdrawals
Giro 2022: The Route
Giro 2022: Riders
Giro 2022 Route stage 11: Santarcangelo di Romagna - Reggio Emilia
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 11: For fast men #4
Giro 2022 Route stage 12: Parma - Genoa
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 12: Strongmen sprinters, or attackers
Giro 2022 Route stage 13: San Remo - Cuneo
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 13: Sprint in Cuneo
Giro 2022 Route stage 14: Santena - Turin
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 14: Hilly race to suit attackers
Giro 2022 Route stage 15: Rivarolo Canavese - Cogne
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 15: Breakaway day at altitude
Giro 2022 Route stage 16: Salò - Aprica
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 16: For pure bred climbers
Giro 2022 Route stage 17: Ponte di Legno - Lavarone
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 17: Climbers eyeing pink
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 18: For fast men #5
Giro 2022 Route stage 19: Marano Lagunare - Castelmonte
Giro 2022 Route stage 20: Belluno - Passo Fedaia
Cycling Calendar 2022
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!