Abouttagand the publication "Reconbirth of the 2025 Tour Stage between Albertville and La Plagne"
Albertville and La Plagne… Two emblematic places for cycling enthusiasts, from mytagand sporting exploits, where the Olympic spirit of Albertville meets the majesty of the snowy slopes of La Plagne. Between these two points, a stage awaited by all, a route carved into the rock of the Alps, which will challenge even the most seasoned cyclists on July 20, 2025. I embarked on this adventure for you, to spot every bend, every climb and every panorama that will transform this stage into an unforgettable memory.
By David Polveroni – Photos: ©julien Berard / ©David Polveroni / ©ASO
The start will be given in Albertville, rue du Commandant Dubois. Here, the excitement will be palpable, the bikes ready to roar, and there will be thousands of cyclists waiting for the gunshot to set off. Right from the start, we will cross the city along the Arly, a gentle 13 km warm-up to Ugine, without difficulty. This route privatized, just for the participants, will already give you a feeling of escape…
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But the Tour stage will really begin at the exit from Ugine, with the first slope, the Côte d'Héry.. It is gentle and regular, around 5%, but already the legs will start to work and the competitive spirit will set in. The first bends of the climb reveal the wild beauty of the heights of the Arly gorges. No time for photos in July; the slope, apparently modest, will already encourage you to surpass yourself, to keep an eye on the cyclist in front of you, and here the ego will push everyone to give it their all, even if it means getting carried away a little early. This climb is a first test run, 5% over 5 km, a short respite of 500 m downhill, then a series of 5 km around 6%, irregular and varied. We go from 9% to flat sections at 3%, forcing everyone to play with their derailleur and keep their pace.
The descent that follows takes place in the heart of the Arly gorges, a series of wide curves, where the challenge will be to dominate the speed, the risks and the desire to relax... Because after these 3,5 km of descent, we resume the ascent without transition to attack the climb towards Crest-Voland and the Col des Saisies.
The Col des Saisies, the first real test
The climb of the Col des Saisies is the first real test. With its 13,7 km, it is divided into three distinct segments. The first part winds through the woods for 6 regular km between 7 and 8%, offering a constant slope that helps you find your rhythm. Crossing the village of Crest-Voland provides a welcome respite, time to catch your breath halfway up, with 430 m of elevation gain already swallowed. There is still as much to go, but this time for 1,5 km more, with percentagestagIt fluctuates between 7 and 9% and flat areas that break the rhythm. The exposed bends and the last three hairpins offer a glimpse of the summit, this first springboard at 1650 m is crossed!
The descent to Beaufort is rapid. Here the route bears the marks of winter, and in places, it can surprise by its condition. On 13,5 km of descent, vigilance is required. Compared to the Braus pass, Les Saisies offers space and fluidity for refueling, a luxury not to be missed in 2025…
Technical passages are rare, but beautiful curves punctuate the descent, under the gaze of the surrounding peaks. Just before entering Beaufort, the scenery changes, and we enter the Beaufortain, an authentic valley rich in cycling stories and alpine traditions.
The crossing of Beaufort is not easy with its cobblestones; it reminds us the importance of good equipment, the cans well secured to avoid surprises on this "moving" ground. Those who were not yet fully awake will be at the foot of the Col du Pré, a little-known but formidable climb, which marks the first threshold towards the mythical Cormet de Roselend, the second giant of this stage.
The Col du Pré, a lift to the Cormet de Roselend
The Col du Pré is the key to this stage. Little known but oh so formidable, it is the alternative to reach the Cormet from the north. From Beaufort, the tone is set: a climb of 12,6 km with almost 1000 m of elevation gain, for an inclination ratio of 7,7%, much harder than it seems. From the first pedal strokes, the slope settles between 6,5 and 8% up to the hamlet of La Praz. It is only when arriving in Arêches that the climb eases for a moment, with 900 m at 4,5% and a short descent of 400 m. But this break is brief: the slope starts again more steeply, sometimes reaching 9,5% in narrow and numerous bends, almost fifteen in total. The Tour passed through there in July 2018 on a stage with a similar profile linking Albertville to La Rosière.
Arrived at an altitude of 1 m, after 703 km of effort, with the sign indicating the pass you would think the climb was over, but there was one last leap to take : 270 m at 8% then a final of 465 m at 2% to reach the official time trial car park. The view here is sublime, Lake Roselend below, its turquoise waters contrasting magnificently with the snow-capped peaks. A breathtaking landscape, a reward for those who have just tamed this climb.
The Cormet de Roselend, a legend
After this summit, a short descent takes you to the Roselend dam, but be careful, it hardly allows you to relax; between the narrowness of the route and the bends, it is better to stay focused. A break is necessary for those who take the time to admire, because the scenery is splendid, worthy of a postcard.
The climb continues for a few hundred meters with a gradient of 8%, then another 200 m at 12% to reach the Col de Méraillet and its well-deserved refreshment point. A fountain on the left can be used in case of overcrowded refreshment points. Before tackling the last 6 km of the Cormet de Roselend, a lull sets in, and the Roselend lake looms in the background. It's time to enjoy the view, grab a gel or bar to recharge your batteries, and relax your already stressed muscles..
The last section of the Cormet is gentler, 6 km at an average of 6%. Here, the altitude is felt and the legs, already tired, feel every meter of difference in altitude. The panorama is breathtaking; at Rocher du Vent, we leave behind the lake of Roselend and its sparkling waters. The Beaufortain valley moves away, and the landscape gradually transforms into a high mountaintagas we approach the Tarentaise.
The passage of the Cormet de Roselend marks the high point of this start of the stage. We begin the descent towards Bourg-Saint-Maurice, 19 km long, alternating between fast sections and tight bends. The first part is very fast, and often a favorable wind pushes the cyclists to impressive speeds. The bends follow one after the other, sometimes tricky, requiring constant vigilance. Halfway down, you still have to pedal to cross a series of technical hairpins. This is where Alaphilippe, in 2019, showed the extent of his talent. It was also here in 1996 that Johan Bruyneel, future sports director of Lance Armstrong, did a memorable somersault…
After this long descent, we reach Bourg-Saint-Maurice and we continue our journey in the valley with a descending profile for 12 km to Aime, then reaching the lowest point, at an altitude of 675 m.
And then comes the final challenge: the climb to La Plagne
Since Aime, It is a 19,5 km climb that awaits you, with a height difference of 1 m and an average gradient of 439%.A pass that reminded me of the Madeleine North side, which the Tour riders will take the day before before finishing in Courchevel.
As soon as you leave Aime, the slope is felt, and your legs are already burning with 114 km on the clock. The climb continues with its numbered bends, a succession of turns on a regular but demanding slope which pushes you to find a rhythm (sustained if that is still possible!).
The bends follow one another while offering spectacular panoramas of the Beaufortain massif. After 14 km of climbing the course passes in front of the Olympic site of the 1992 bobsleigh track, symbolizing the heritagetagThe sportsman of the place and will especially symbolize the imminent end of this stage. Here we really feel the end, we see the station, everything is behind you or almost. The fruit of your preparation will have given you satisfaction, and these last meters will be only joy and happiness, with a touch of suffering... for everyone!
The last few kilometres offer little respite, but a welcome flat area allows you to catch your breath for a moment. Then, the last ramp rises: a short kilometre at 7% to cross the 2100 m altitude and reach the summit of La Plagne, the end of this route of the 2025 Tour stage.
You will have arrived at the summit, exhausted but proud. An achievement, a unique landscape, and the feeling of having touched the sky, 2000 m in reality – a legendary stage, forever etched in the memory of the Alps, in your memories.
You have nine months of preparation left to reach the legendary resort of La Plagne. In my opinion, this stage of the Tour is one of the most beautiful of recent years, rivaling even the unforgettable Briançon – L'Alpe d'Huez. It brings together all the great demands of high societytagne : first, the difficulty of the slopes, illustrated by the formidable Col du Pré; then, the altitude, with a passage close to 2 m at the Cormet de Roselend, and beyond at La Plagne; and finally, the length, because the Pré-Roselend link totals 000 km and 25 m of elevation gain. The final climb to La Plagne adds a major challenge with almost 1 km of climbing and another 500 m of elevation gain to tackle.
More details about the route: HERE
This route promises a grandiose atmosphere, in the heart of the Alps, with short valleys and few transitions., sometimes challenging and difficult to grasp on other stages. If you are well prepared for the challenges of the montagThis stage could even prove easier to manage than last year's between Nice and the Col de la Couillole.
Abouttagand the publication "Reconbirth of the 2025 Tour Stage between Albertville and La Plagne"
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