The phrase ‘kicks off with a relatively flat stage’ is, of course, relative. After all, we’re in Switzerland, one of the most mountainous regions in Europe.
The 1st stage is a rolling to hilly endeavour of 129.4 kilometres with 1,939 metres of climbing. The start and finish are in Küssnacht, with the final climb – 3.8 kilometres at 9.1% – coming just 14 kilometres from the finish line.
The riders cover 177 kilometres with 2,704 metres of elevation gain in the 2nd stage. Most of the climbing comes in the second half, followed by a finish on a 4.9-kilometre stretch averaging 3.3%.
The 3rd stage also offers most of the climbing towards the end. Over a distance of 195.6 kilometres, riders face just under 3,000 metres of ascent. The finish line is atop a 3.4-kilometre hill with an average gradient of 5.3%.
The 4th stage is flat for long stretches. Then, the 35-kilometre climb over the Splügen Pass provides a hefty dose of elevation. The descent is almost as long as the climb, and once at the bottom, the riders face a 9-kilometre false flat to the finish. The stage totals 3,067 metres of climbing over 193.2 kilometres.
The Tour de Suisse serves up the Queen Stage on the fifth day. Riders cross both the Julier Pass and the San Bernardino Pass before finishing atop a 6.4-kilometre climb averaging 9.5%. They also tackle this final climb 20 kilometres earlier, though not all the way to the summit then. The route includes 3,620 metres of climbing over 183.5 kilometres.
Sprinters aren’t out of contention on the 6th stage. The 186.7-kilometre ride includes nearly 2,400 metres of climbing, but most of it comes well before the finish line.
The 7th stage is a hilly race, with uphill gradients spread over the course from start to finish. Puncheurs will relish the finale, as the line is drawn atop a 3.1-kilometre climb at 8.9%. At 207.3 kilometres, it’s the longest stage of the week, and the elevation gain adds up to 3,190 metres.
The Tour de Suisse wraps up with an ITT for climbers. The course is just 10.1 kilometres long but packs 834 metres of uphill slog. After a flat opening, the road rises for 9.2 kilometres at an average gradient of 9% to the finish.
Tour de Suisse 2025: route, profiles, video
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