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Alpe d’Huez is a mountain with a fearsome reputation in the cycling world. Generations of champions have battered themselves against its slopes.
Legends are made here. Tonight the Dauphine will go over this most famous of French climbs, as the first in a string of tough ascents which will go a long way towards deciding the final outcome of the race.
Stage 7 begins in Pont-de-Claix, and covers 187.5km to its conclusion with a category 3 climb to Superdévoluy.
It features the HC Alpe d’Huez, which is usually featured as a summit finish in the Tour de France, but today comes just 51km into the stage.
The route quickly moves to the category 2 Col de Sarenne, before plunging into the valley and up the category 1 Col d’Ornon after 101km. The descent is followed by a longish section of rolling hills, before the race heats up again with the category 1 Col de Noyer at 176km, which is slightly longer and steeper than the Col d’Ornon, and is steepest near the summit reaching up to 11.6%.
Expect some fireworks!
The stage finishes with the short climb to Superdévoluy, and with plenty of tired legs after a long day, there’s a strong chance of time gaps appearing.
Chris Froome (Sky) leads the race by 52 seconds to his Australian lieutenant Richie Porte, with Garmin’s Rohan Dennis clinging to third place only two seconds further back.
Dennis has been the revelation of this Dauphine, but a major mountain stage will test the champion track rider in his first year at this level. Still, he’s ridden fantastically so far in the race, and will be trying to hold his lead in the best young rider competition.
Michael Rogers holds down 4th place at 1’37”, continuing on well from the Tour of California.
The big question for tonight’s stage is whether Alberto Contador has the strength to rattle Froome’s cage. So far Froome has returned every Contador salvo with interest.
No doubt Alejandro Valverde will also be aggressive, but we await signs of life from the likes of Pierre Rolland, Jurgen Van Den Broeck, and Joaquin Rodriguez.
So plenty to look forward to in stage 7, join us just before 9pm for live blog commentary.
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