Venaria Reale – Bardonecchia

Stage 19 - May 25 - 181 km (112 mi)

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The Stage

The last summit finish awaits the peloton after a full mountain stage. Shortly after the start, the route climbs to the top of Colle del Lys (from Viù). After dropping into the Dora Riparia valley and reaching Susa, the route climbs once more to the top of Colle delle Finestre. The Colle delle Finestre (Cima Coppi) has a steady 9.2% gradient throughout (with just a short punchy bit in Meana di Susa topping out at 14%). The first 9 km are on tarmac, while the last 9 km is a gravel road, all the way to the summit. Twenty-nine hairpins are tucked in less than 4 km over the first part of the climb (45 hairpins overall until the summit). The descent is very technical as the roadway is narrow and initially unprotected, up to Pian dell’Alpe. As the route goes back onto the ss. 23, the climb is resumed with doable gradients all the way to the finish. A long uncomplicated climb follows, leading to the Sestriere categorised summit. Following a fast drop into Oulx and a false flat section leading to Bardonecchia (intermediate sprint), the route takes in the closing climb to the top of Jafferau. Final kilometres: the final 7 km run entirely uphill, with sharp 9-10% gradients, topping out at 14% in the first part. The road narrows in Maillaures, approx. 6 km before the finish, in the steepest section. The finish line lies on a 50-m long, 6-m wide home stretch.
Winner: Chris Froome

View attached image.

View attached image.