The race sets off from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, where young Olav Kooij sprinted to victory in last year’s Paris-Nice. The route is predominantly flat until the riders reach Gap, a renowned launch pad for mountain stages – Le Tour was there 47 times for either a stage start or finish.
After moving through Gap the riders enter the Col Bayard, which is a 6.8 kilometres long climb with an average gradient of 7.3%. Following the descent to La Fare-en-Champsaur and a 1.4 kilometres climb at 6.3% to Poligny the Col du Noyer begins moments later. This is a 7.5 kilometres climb at 8.4%.
There are 11.7 kilometres remaining at the summit of the Col du Noyer. The first 7.9 kilometres fly downhill and then the Côte de Superdévoluy makes its entrance in the Tour de France history. With 3.8 kilometres at 5.9% it’s not the hardest climb in the world, but the rider who crosses the line first will not mind. He’ll succceed Stephen Cummings and Samuel Sanchez, who both were victorious in Superdévoluy on the Critérium du Dauphiné, respectively in 2016 and 2013.
The first three riders across the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds; the first three riders over the Col du Noyer – with 11.5 kilometres left – gain time bonuses of 8, 5, and 2 seconds.
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Another interesting reads: results 17th stage 2024 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2024 stage 17: routes, profiles, videos
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