Tour de France

The Alps, first introduced on the route of the Tour de France more than a century ago, played host to the hardest stage of this edition. Three HC climbs – Col de Granon, Col de la Madeleine and Col de la Loze – steep double-digit gradients and more than 5500 vertical meters were the many difficulties of this stage that started from Vif and concluded not far from the ski resort of Courchevel.

The action began early, on the first ascent, leaving only 30-odd riders in the yellow jersey group. A breakaway formed, but they didn’t have a chance against the chasers, led by some of the general classification teams, who caught that move around six kilometers from the top of the Madeleine. In the valley, just before a regrouping took place, three riders jumped clear and put a couple of minutes between them and the chasers.

From that trio, Ben O’Connor (JaycoAlUla) attacked with 15 kilometers to go and rode to a solo victory on Col de La Loze, where a Tour de France stage finished for the third time in the last six years. The best placed Soudal Quick-Step rider at the top on this first Alpine stage was Ilan Van Wilder.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images