This will get everyone's climbing legs warmed nicely. Rather than go for a full-on mountain stage, Tour boss Prudhomme has opted for something slightly gentler but potentially unpredictable.
It's a shame the Tour seldom comes to the Jura region, because this is wonderful cycling country, with narrow roads switching back and forth through dense forest. There are six climbs, which get progressively harder as the stage progresses. The favourites shouldn't get into trouble, but this is ideal ambush country.
Stage profile
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Rapencross: Joris Nieuwenhuis solos to second victory of the season as Thibau Nys battles mechanicals and crashes
Michael Vanthourenhout takes second and Niels Vandeputte is third in Lokeren -
Rapencross: Lucinda Brand strikes again for fourth win in five races in 2025-26
Dutch racer beats Marion Norbert-Riberolle and Sara Casasola by 17 seconds in Lokeren -
'I am a clean athlete and a person of integrity' – Oier Lazkano protests innocence following UCI suspension
Spanish racer has been provisionally suspended over 'unexplained abnormalities' in his Biological Passport -
Jonathan Milan storms to Tour de France Singapore Criterium victory to cap off stellar season
Italian outsprints Girmay as day's TTT cancelled due to torrential rain
