The team time trial is played out in and near Cholet. The town hosted the Tour de France three times before. Félicien Vervaecke won in 1936, Jeroen Blijlevens sprinted to victory in 1998, while Stefan Schumacher powered to the win in 2008’s chronorace, although the German was disqualified after testing positive on doping.
The TTT sets off on wide boulevards in the centre of Cholet. On Avenue Francis Bouet the teams hit a 700 metres climb at 5% before the route continues on long straight roads. At kilometre 7 the streets get somewhat smaller for 2 kilometres before the wide open roads are back, which obviously is perfect for the teams. Another 700 metres climb at 5% with 16 kilometres done and then it’s off to La Séguinière on a fairly easy course.
In La Séguinière – at kilometre 25 – the teams leave the main road and continue on Rue de la Bastille, which is a small street that runs uphill. The 1,500 metres climb is averaging 5% in the first half and 3% in the second half. On gently rolling roads with a few sharp curves the stage travels back to the centre of Cholet.
The winning team succeeds BMC. The black/red squad bested Team Sky with 1 second in the 2015 TTT to Plumelec.
Read also: results 3rd stage 2018 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2018 stage 3: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles The Route - Tour de France 20 Riders - Tour de France 20 Withdrawals - Tour de France 20 Route and stages - Tour de France 20 GC Favourites - Tour de France 20 More articles Tour de France 2022: Lampaert powers to first yellow jersey
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 1: Copenhagen - Copenhagen
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 2: Roskilde - Nyborg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 2: For fast men #1
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 3: Vejle - Sønderborg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 3: For fast men #2
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 4: Dunkirk - Calais
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 4: Strongman-sprinter skillset recommended
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 5: Roubaix à La Grande Boucle
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 6: Binche - Longwy
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 6: Lumpy race for attackers
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 7: Tomblaine - Planche des Belles Filles
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 7: Attackers or GC clash?
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 8: Dole - Lausanne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 8: Finale for puncheurs
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 9: Aigle - Châtel
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 9: Attackers in the Alps
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 10: Morzine - Megève
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 10: Breakaway day
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 11: Albertville - Col du Granon
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 11: GC clash at the Granon
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Cycling Calendar 2022
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso