The route climbs from the start on the Col du Marais, a modest climb that’s perfect to stretch the legs. The riders descend into Saint-Ferréol before the Col de Tamié offers another chance to get into the groove. It’s 9.5 kilometres long and averaging 4% and then a downhil precedes the big wait. A section of tens of kilometres on the flat takes the peloton to the two giants that are to decide the Tour for women.
The race follows the valley of the Arc river to the foot of the Col du Glandon. Which is a 19.7 kilometres monster with an average gradient of 7.2%. The statistic is misleading, as it’s an irregular ascent with several false flat sections, but also ramps at double digits. The last 2 kilometres for instance go up at 11%.
Located at 1,924 metres above sea level, the summit of the Glandon is the highest point of the Tour de France Femmes. The riders have still 50 kilometres ahead of them at the Glandon. Half of it is on descent and following 10 kilometres in the valley the finish climb kicks in.
The iconic ascent Alpe d’Huez features 21 hairpin turns, adds up to 13.8 kilometres and comes with an average gradient of 8.1%. The toughest section – at 11.5% – appears almost 4 kilometres before the finish line.
The first three riders on the line earn time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 8 2024 Tour de France Femmes.
Another interesting read: results 8th stage + final GC 2024 Tour de France Femmes.
Tour de France Femmes 2024 stage 8: route, profiles & videos
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