The riders clip into their pedals in Lure, starting point of the decisive time trial of the 2020 Tour de France for men. The first 50 kilometres are flat to undulating until the riders reach the Côte d’Esmoulières. The KOM points are available after 2.3 kilometres of climbing at 8.5%, but the route continues to go up at shallow gradients for at least 10 kilometres. A short descent and 5 kilometres on the flat make way for the second ascent of the day.
The Ballon d’Alsace is a steady 9 kilometres climb at 6.9% on a road with wide hairpins. The riders reach the summit with 38 kilometres left to race.
Approximately one third of it is on descent before an undulating section leads to Plancher-les-Mines. Then the finish climb kicks in. La Planche des Belles Filles with the prefix Super is a 7 kilometres toil at 8.7%. At 9.5% the last kilometre is not only the steepest part, it also runs on unpaved surface. The last 100 metres are on tarmac though. Beginning with a energy-sapping ramp at 24%, the final kick up is too steep for gravel.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 8 Tour de France Femmes.
Another interesting read: results 8th stage & final GC 2022 Tour de France Femmes.
Tour de France Femmes 2022 stage 8: route & profiles
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