STAGE 19 : Gap > Alpe d'Huez

The first encounter with Alpe d'Huez comes via a short but explosive stage. The col Bayard and the col du Noyer can launch the battle very early, before a tense approach via the col d'Ornon. Then comes the mythical climb, with its hairpins, its crowd and its unique ability to turn a weakness into a failure. Offensive climbers will have a grand stage, and the favorites will need to respond without calculating too long.