It is the 34th appearance of the Col d’Izoard in the Tour de France, yet it is the first time the finish line lies at the top. No photo finish, that’s for sure – the riders will come strumbling across the line.
The last mountain stage in the 2017 Tour de France starts leaves from Briançon, at an elevation of 1,170 metres the highest city in France. At kilometre 60 the riders crest Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées, a 3.9 kilometres climb at 5.2%, and until kilometre 110 there is really nothing to worry about.
The first slopes of the Col de Vars begin in Jausiers. That way, it’s a 21.5 kilometres climb which is getting steeper along the way. With sections between 2% and 3%, the first half is merely a false flat before the going gets tough(er) from kilometre 13 onwards. The last 9.3 kilometres are the official climb and this section comes with an average slope of 7.5%, while getting steeper along the way. At 4 kilometre before the top the party really gets going with 2 kilometres at around 10%.
After the drop to Guillestre the last climb of the Tour de France appears. The road through the valley is a false flat of almost 20 kilometres that runs to the foot of the Col d’Izoard. Then, with the sign ‘start climb’, the gradients really kick in. The Izoard is a 14.1 kilometres climb that is averaging 7.3%. The last 10 kilometres go up at 9% and lead to the forbidding and barren slopes of Casse Déserte. A perfect and dramatic backdrop for the last summit finish in the 2017 Tour de France.
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Read also: results/race report 18th stage 2017 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2017 stage 18: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Start 18th stage in Briançon
Details start 18th stage
Profile intermediate sprint 18th stage
Details intermediate sprint 18th stage
