Preview Tour de France 2024: Stage 6

The sixth stage between Macon and Dijon offers another prime opportunity for the sprinters to claim a stage win and earn valuable points for the Green Jersey. At 163.5 kilometers, it’s the shortest flat stage of this Tour, with no significant topographical challenges. Riders will face just 1,000 meters of elevation gain before what is expected to be a Royal Sprint finish in Dijon.

Stage 6 | 4 July | Mâcon to Dijon | 163.5 km | 1,000 m elevation gain

Stage six of the Tour de France begins in Mâcon, winding through the picturesque Chardonnay vineyards. The only topographical challenge is the Col du Bois Clair, a fourth-category climb of 1.8 kilometers at an average gradient of 5.7 percent, which comes after just ten kilometers.

The first 80 kilometers feature slightly rolling terrain as the route heads north, but the second half of the stage is mostly flat.

In Dijon, the final two kilometers lead straight to the finish, interrupted only by a roundabout at the flamme rouge. The last 800 meters are a straight, wide road to the finish line.

Favorites Watch: Stage Win and Yellow Jersey

There have been two mass sprints so far, each with very different outcomes. The momentum is firmly with Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team), who set a new record on the fifth stage. Veteran rider Alexander Kristoff (Uno X-Mobility), aged 36, also has a boost of confidence after finishing in the top three despite crashing 30 kilometers from the end. German rider Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech) demonstrated his skill, but started his sprint too early and ended up sixth in Saint-Vulbas.

It will be interesting to see how Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) recovers from his crash. And for the sake of drama, Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) might be due for a win. After a tough spring and a difficult start to the Tour, the Dutchman has managed to finish in the top ten in both sprints.

Stage 6 Classifications

Sprint Points

• Cormatin | Kilometer 31.1

King of the Mountains

• Col du Bois Clair | Category 4 | Kilometer 10

Header Image: © ASO