STAGE 16
The two mountains of stage 16 are epic in terms of length, altitude, and exposure. After a short stint in Italy, the Tour heads back to France on this 97-mile route crossing over the Col de Lombarda, a first-time 'beyond classification' climb in the Tour, and the Col de la Bonette-Restefond, the highest paved pass in Europe.
The possibility of poor weather will make this already trying stage even more miserable for Tour riders. Just a month before the Tour's start, both of these roads were still closed due to snow pack, mud slides, and downed trees.
Maxing out at 9,193 feet, the Bonette-Restefond climb is the highest point of the Tour (the race has only traveled south-to-north over the summit once before). With the exception of the summit approach to the Bonette, both of Stage 16's climbs are well-suited to rhythm climbers. Attacks may begin near the crest of each pass but will likely be reeled in on the long descents (13 miles and 13.7 miles, respectively).
Given the precarious weather condition on these mountains, it's the descents that may prove to be the deciding factor on this stage. Daredevil descenders in the lead group will vie for the stage win on the Bonette descent by taking major risks. Likewise, the overall contenders will be forced to manage time gaps on the descents: these men are known for their uphill prowess, but only a few of them are world-class descenders--the rest may find the way down harder than the way up.
VIDEO PREVIEW
Our European Correspondent James Startt pre-rode this challenging mountain stage in early June. See his stage analysis and full-report in the
Tour de France Video Center.
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Cime de la Bonette-Restefond
Location: 44.323265°, 6.805301°
At 9,212 feet, the Bonette-Restefond is the highest paved pass in Europe (and the highest the Tour has ever been).<p>
From here, Tour riders will dive-bomb down a 13.7-mile descent to the finish in Jausiers. Any rider who summits alone will have a good shot of taking the stage, but may have to take some risks on the descent to do so. Likewise, if the favorites are separated at the summit, riders will have to lay it all out on the way down to preserve or close time gaps.
Col de la Lombarde
Location: 44.201897°, 7.149525°
The Col de Lombarda summit, 8,303'.
The race returns to France over the Lombarde climb ('Lombarda' in Italy), an 'hors catégorie' mountain making its first appearance in Tour history. The favorites will have scouted out this mountain, but there should be more than a few surprises on race day.
<p>
Both of stage 16's climbs are longer than they are steep and will be a test for not just the favorites but their entire teams as well. The team in yellow will have to control the tempo on the day's first climb while saving a few of the stronger domestiques to protect the team leader on the final climb. Likewise, domestiques on rival teams must be able to summit Lombarde with the lead group in order to aid their team leaders on Bonette.
Location: 44.222630°, 7.132702°
Above treeline
Location: 44.314084°, 7.292862°
The Italian Alps looming
Jausiers
Location: 44.417965°, 6.731701°
Stage 16 marks the first-ever stage finish in Jausiers and only the second time the Tour has descended this side of the Bonette.
Col de la Lombarde
Location: 44.201897°, 7.149525°
At the Lombarda summit
The race returns to France over the Lombarde climb ('Lombarda' in Italy), an 'hors catégorie' mountain making its first appearance in Tour history. The favorites will have scouted out this mountain, but there should be more than a few surprises on race day.
<p>
Both of stage 16's climbs are longer than they are steep and will be a test for not just the favorites but their entire teams as well. The team in yellow will have to control the tempo on the day's first climb while saving a few of the stronger domestiques to protect the team leader on the final climb. Likewise, domestiques on rival teams must be able to summit Lombarde with the lead group in order to aid their team leaders on Bonette.
Summit: Denied
Location: 44.325782°, 6.806889°
Hung up by snow near the summit of the Bonette-Restefond
Attempting to reach the summit of the Bonette-Restefond in early June, Bicycling.com European Correspondent James Startt was defeated by Mother Nature.
Location: 44.386538°, 6.780624°
Picking lines on the cliffside descent
Location: 44.412662°, 6.755605°
Rounding a sweeping turn near the bottom of the Bonette descent... in one piece.
Location: 44.313163°, 7.220593°
A narrow passage for the Tour in Italy
Location: 44.200790°, 7.155876°
With any luck, this particular obstacle on the Lombarda descent will be gone by the time the Tour arrives. At least it's marked by a safety cone.
Location: 44.231794°, 7.118712°
Below treeline
Video 21
Location: Unknown
Climbing La Bonette-Restefond in the rain: "This thing doesn't end!"
Location: 44.289391°, 7.152314°
The rogue deer population on Col de Lombarda could wreak havoc on the race.
Video 23
Location: Unknown
Epic. Tour. Climb.
Location: 44.389022°, 6.779037°
Praying for traction around a switchback on the Bonette descent
Location: 44.298667°, 7.156820°
The early slopes of the Lombarda kick up to steep pitches in a hurry.
Photo 8
Location: Unknown
Eerie ambiance on the Col de Lombarda
Col de la Lombarde
Location: 44.201897°, 7.149525°
A massochistic cyclotourist descending the Col de Lombarda
The race returns to France over the Lombarde climb ('Lombarda' in Italy), an 'hors catégorie' mountain making its first appearance in Tour history. The favorites will have scouted out this mountain, but there should be more than a few surprises on race day.
<p>
Both of stage 16's climbs are longer than they are steep and will be a test for not just the favorites but their entire teams as well. The team in yellow will have to control the tempo on the day's first climb while saving a few of the stronger domestiques to protect the team leader on the final climb. Likewise, domestiques on rival teams must be able to summit Lombarde with the lead group in order to aid their team leaders on Bonette.
Photo 7
Location: Unknown
The narrow road up Col de Lombarda levels off as it at winds up the valley floor.
Summit: Denied
Location: 44.325782°, 6.806889°
Correspondent James Startt vents some frustration after being denied of the summit by a wall of snow.
Attempting to reach the summit of the Bonette-Restefond in early June, Bicycling.com European Correspondent James Startt was defeated by Mother Nature.
Location: 44.405703°, 6.756334°
Finding a groove on a rare straightaway stretch
Location: 44.239296°, 7.110214°
Looking down on the winding road up Lombarda
Location: 44.303213°, 7.159653°
Just a bit ominous
Photo 2
Location: Unknown
Lombarda looms
Video 22
Location: Unknown
An alpine lake above tree line on the Bonette climb
Location: 44.305271°, 7.159524°
The foot of the stage's first climb
Location: 44.389022°, 6.779037°
A little bit of moisture on the descent
Summit: Denied
Location: 44.325782°, 6.806889°
Roadblocked by Mother Nature on the final approach to the Bonette summit.
Attempting to reach the summit of the Bonette-Restefond in early June, Bicycling.com European Correspondent James Startt was defeated by Mother Nature.
