The riders race from one Côte to the next during the last 30 kilometres of the race. The run-up has not been entirely flat either – with the Côte de Thuit (2 kilometres at 6%) and Côte Jacques Anquetil (2.7 kilometres at 4.6%) standing out -, but the punchy climbing intensifies in the final part of the race.
The Côte de Belbeuf opens the finale with its 1.3 kilometres at 9.3%. Following a flat section and a short descent, the Côte de Bosecours throws in 900 metres at 7.2%. A false flat at the top makes way for the descent to the foot of the relatively easy Côte de Grand’Mare: 1.8 kilometres at 5%.
The Rampe de Saint Hillaire will be crucial. It’s nothing short of a wall – 900 metres at 10.6% -, which is followed by a false flat of a little over 1 kilometre. A 3-kilometre dive then takes the riders to the flamme rouge. The final kilometre opens with a 500 metres ascent at 5% before the home straight on the Boulevard d’Yser is flat.
It’s been a while since the Tour last visited Rouen. Back in 2012, André Greipel sprinted to victory in the capital of Normandy. Obviously, the finale was nothing like the one on 8 July.
Alexis Gougeard will be looking forward to this stage. The one-time Vuelta stage winner was born in Rouen.
Tour de France 2025, stage 4: route, profiles, videos
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