Tour de France 2018 Route stage 6: Brest - Mûr-de-Bretagne

Tour de France 2018 stage 6Thursday, 12 July 2018 - At 181 kilometres, the 6th stage of the Tour de France runs from Brest to the Mûr-de-Bretagne. That's a summit finish after a punchy last climb. To pep things up, the finale takes in a double ascent of the 2 kilometres haul up to the line.

It’s been ten years since the Tour de France last visited Brest. In 2008, the Breton city was the scene of the Grand Départ – stage to Plumelec, Alejandro Valverde win -, while that edition was ultimately won by Carlos Sastre.

Now the riders set sail to the punchy arrival up the Mûr-de-Bretagne. But, for starters, they head for the Côte de Ploudiny, an 1.5 kilometres climb at 7% with its top 44 kilometres into the stage. Following the descent the route continues on a false flat to the highest point of the day, Côte de Roc’h Trévézel. The hill is crested after a 2.5 kilometres climb at 3.5% before a long and gradual drop takes the riders to a rolling section of almost 80 kilometres. Then the finale commences.

A finish on the Mûr-de-Bretagne accounts for a 2 kilometres closing climb with an average slope of 6.9%. The first kilometre is toughest as it is averaging almost 10%. This edition, the Mûr will be extra tough as the finale climbs the punchy hill twice. The first passage over the top is 16 kilometres from the finish back at the summit.

Straight after the descent it goes back up again to the village Saint-Mayeux, which is an 1.1 kilometres climb at 6,2%. To inspire attacks there are time bonuses up for grabs at the summit. After moving through Saint-Mayeux, there are 13 kilometres left, mostly on gentle descent. Just before tackling the closing climb the riders face a 500 metres section at 3.5% to the village Mûr-de-Bretagne. Then the final haul up kicks in, which – as said – begins with 1 kilometre at almost 10%.

In 2011, the Mûr-de-Bretagne made its first appearance on La Grande Boucle with Cadel Evans narrowly besting Alberto Contador. Four years later Alexis Vuillermoz attacked on the steep first part of the Mûr and soloed to victory. He crossed the line 5 seconds ahead of Dan Martin, while Alejandro Valverde won the group sprint 10 seconds down on the stage winner.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the first intermediate sprint (at kilometre 135) is for green jersey points and the second (at kilometre 168) for time bonuses of 3, 2 and 1 seconds.

Read also: results/race report 6th stage 2018 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2018 stage 6: Route maps, height profiles, and more

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