The route is virtually a carbon copy of the 4th stage of the Tour de Suisse. The first 50 kilometres are different, but the rest is the same. And so is the nature of the race – flat to rolling roads until the riders reach the base of Col des Mosses. Which is a 13.7 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 4%.
There are 34 kilometres to go at the summit of the Mosses. The first part is a descent into Aigle and following 4 kilometres in the valley the finish climb kicks in. The ascent to Villars-sur-Ollon is 11.1 kilometres long, while the average gradient sits at 7.6%.
Six years ago it was Larry Warbasse who won the race to Villars-sur-Ollon from the breakaway. Damiano Caruso, Steven Kruijswijk and Simon Spilak were the best GC riders, 40 seconds down on the American.
The 2016 Tour de Romandie also saw a Villars-sur-Ollon finish. After the same climb it was Chris Froome who took the win, 4 seconds ahead of a chase group with Thibaut Pinot, Nairo Quintana and Bauke Mollema.
Starting at kilometre 100.7, the Golden Kilometre serves two opportunities to gain time bonuses of 3, 2 and 1 seconds. The first three riders on the line take 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 3 2023 Tour de Suisse.
Another interesting read: results 3rd stage 2023 Tour de Suisse.
Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 3: route, profile, more
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