The Alps had been looming on the horizon in the Tour de France, but on Thursday, it is finally time: the first true Alpine stage, with a total of 3,800 meters of climbing. The stage starts in the morning from Voiron, covering 185 kilometers to the ski resort of Orcières-Merlette.

After the start, the riders head south toward Grenoble, where the first climb of the day awaits: the Engins (11.4 kilometers at 5.4%). After a long plateau section, the peloton briefly enters the valley. Midway through the stage, the climb to Monteynard (9.7 kilometers at 5.2%) follows.

After this climb, the riders encounter a long plateau. Only 32 kilometers from the finish does the climbing resume, though still at gentle gradients. The real challenge begins just seven kilometers from the finish with the ascent to Orcières-Merlette (7.1 kilometers at 6.8%).

The Tour de France last visited Orcières-Merlette six years ago, when Primož Roglič sprinted past Tadej Pogačar for the win. How that Tour ultimately ended is well known.