© Le Tour de France
Confirmed Changes to the Tour de France Stage at Alpe d'Huez
Stage 20: Modane to L'Alpe d'Huez will now go via Croix de Fer
Kept on alert since the closure of the Chambon tunnel because of a landslide in April, Tour de France organizers have been informed by the Isère authorities of the inability to restore traffic circulation through the tunnel before the race which is scheduled for 25 July.
Just nine days before the start of the Tour de France in Utrecht (Netherlands), the organisers (ASO) announced today the alternative route for the last mountain stage, which keeps a similar profile to the previous planned route between Modane and Alpe d'Huez.
Instead of going over the col du Galibier which had to be climbed by its northern side, reaching an altitude of 2645m, the peloton will instead tackle the Croix-de-Fer for a second time in this years race. It is one of the great Alpine passes (29 km at 5.2% of slope) at 2067m in altitude.
The riders will then plunge down into the Oisans Valley and find themselves in Bourg-d'Oisans (km 94. 5) and re-join the original itinerary, before beginning the climb to Alpe d'Huez.
