Route
With the Joux Airplane still smoldering on the battlefield, the Tour de France peloton faces a pivotal second mountain assault where general classification contenders push their bodies to the limit just ahead of the first rest day. The course breathes opportunity for bold moves, testing climbers who can mix patience with aggression as the race moves into high Alpine terrain.
From Les Gets to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, the 179-kilometer stage invites a variety of strategies. Early stretches tempt riders to test breaks, while the two colossal ascents later in the day demand timing and endurance. The approach to Bettex marks a key moment, a climb that rewards precise pacing and full commitment when the legs are already taxed from the prior climbs.
Seven kilometers at an average gradient of 7.7% may not produce gigantic gaps—but the stage is two-thirds uphill before the mid-race crescendo, and the fatigue can shape the day’s outcome. Those with the strongest form on the eve of the rest day will feel compelled to push the pace, while teams maneuver shifts in the group to shape the GC battle. It’s a day where strategy can eclipse brute power in determining who holds the yellow jersey after the long grind.
After a brisk opening segment, riders confront a 7.3% climb for 7.2 kilometers up Forclaz de Montmin, followed by 7% on the 11.3-kilometer Croix Fry. These first-category efforts are designed to sap strength and separate contenders from the rest, setting the stage for a demanding late climb to Aravis and the final push into the Saint-Gervais area. The sequence is crafted to wear down legs and mind alike, hammering home the message that every watt matters on this day.
The late stages light up with the ascent to Saint-Gervais, where Amerands meets the penultimate effort as the riders crest the final challenges of the leg. The finish looms as a dramatic crescendo, a moment of truth for climbers who have kept something in reserve for the closing kilometers of this mountain day. A rest day follows, allowing teams to recalibrate and plan for the next critical test in the race schedule. The route then promises a 22.4-kilometer uphill time trial that will test both climbing capacity and sustained power, before the climbers tackle the final mountain day on Wednesday featuring the formidable Col de la Loze. The intensity remains high, and every decision on the road echoes in the week’s broader narrative of endurance and strategic contest.
Stage 15: Les Gets – Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, 179 km. The route profile blends steady climbing with a pair of decisive climbs, demanding resilience and smart attacks from the peloton. The day’s rhythm rewards travelers who stay focused from start to finish, and it leaves room for bold moves that can redefine the GC picture heading into the rest day. The stage is a clear test of riders who can combine tempo climbing, sprint-finish instincts, and the nerve to ride over two major ascents in a single day, all while managing the mounting fatigue and the ever-present risk of a late breakaway getting clear.
Calendar
Departure: 13.20 (11.20 GMT)
Estimated arrival: 18:17 (16:17 GMT)