Profile, timetables, the first passes in Auvergne … The 6th stage between Clermont-Ferrand and Ambert in questions

After a visit to the Creuse, the peloton tackles the Massif Central on Thursday for a day before spinning in the Alps.

Make way for the mountains. After the first five stages dedicated to the Plchants and the sprinters, the Peloton du Tour de France women begins the middle mountain with a stage in the Massif Central, Thursday, July 31, before rushing towards the final bouquet in the Alps this weekend. The 6th stage will make it possible to gauge the forces for mid-term for the first time.

What profile?

A stage of 123.7 km with 2,460 meters of elevation gain. This is the menu offered to the runners on Thursday. After the intermediate sprint, two small 3rd category ribs will serve as a counter-d 'œuVre before the two passes of the day: the long ascent Col du Béal (10.2 km at 5.6%), then the Chansert pass (6.3 km at 5.5%). The final, downhill, will be preceded by a bonifications sprint 12 kilometers from the finish.

In the heart of Puy-de-Dôme, “There will be no more respite to join Ambert “said director Marion Rousse. It is therefore impossible to hide in this chain of ribs, where the breakaway will have a chance to go to the end in view of the profile difficult to maneuver for the teams of favorites.

What favorites?

It is time for the real first explanation for the favorites, after the Guéret observation round on Wednesday. If the two passes on the program are not insurmountable, their sequence almost without valley will not leave the right to make mistakes. This will be an opportunity to see how far half a vollering (FDJ-Suez, 3rd to 23 “) can go on Monday, and whose state of health has a time concerned.

The title holder, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canon-Sram, 4th to 24 “), Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck, 7th to 45”) and the two French women Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt (Visma-lease A Bike, 2nd at 18 “) and Cédrine Kerbaol (EF-Education Oatly, 10th to 1'16”) should play the first Roles. Unless a breakaway manages to resist, as did the veterant Mavi Garcia (Liv Alula Jayco) during the 2nd stage.

What hours?

Fictive departure: 2 p.m.

Real departure: 2:25 p.m.

Start of the live on France 2: 3:35 p.m.

Estimated forecast arrival: 5:33 p.m.