Galibier, Croix-de-Fer, Alpe d'Huez: the trilogy of off-category climbs has marked the history of the Grande Boucle.
With, for ultimate reference, the arrival of Bernard Hinault and the American Greg LeMond, hand in hand, in 1986.
The Galibier, the highest point of this edition at an altitude of 2,642 meters is climbed for the second time in two days (23 km at 5.1%), but by the Lautaret step on its southern slope, less steep than the north face traveled by the peloton on Wednesday.
The long descent to the Maurienne then precedes the interminable Croix-de-Fer (29 km at 5.2%), another major ascent, followed by an endless descent to the Romanche valley.
There still remains the final piece of bravery, the 13.8 km climb to Alpe d'Huez, at an average gradient of 8.1% along the 21 numbered bends which lead to the finish.
Four years after the victory of Briton Geraint Thomas, in the sound and fury of the climb - fractured vertebra for Vincenzo Nibali -, the Tour thus revives the legendary climb, 70 years after the initial success of "campionissimo" Fausto Coppi.
Departure from Briançon on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. (launched at 1:20 p.m.), arrival in Alpe d'Huez around 6:08 p.m. (timetable calculated at an average of 34 km/h)
© 2022 AFP