Tour de France 2024 Preview: Profiles and Maps of All 21 Stages
Where does the 111th Tour de France go and how difficult are the stages? Find all the answers here! First of all: The 2024 Tour de France features two individual time trials, eight flat stages, seven mountain stages, and four hilly stages. The race starts in Florence and ends in Nice, covering a total of 3,492 kilometres.
Stage 1 | 29 June | Florence – Rimini | 206 km | 3,600 m elevation gain
From the heart of Tuscany, the opening stage leads through the small state of San Marino to the Adriatic coast in Rimini. It sounds pleasant, but it won’t be for the riders. The 206 kilometers include 3,600 meters of elevation gain through the Apennines.
This will be even more challenging than the 2023 Tour’s start in the Basque Country. The decisive moment for victory could come on the final climb of the day in San Marino, which is 7.1 kilometers long with an average gradient of 4.8 percent. From the summit, the final 27 kilometers are downhill and then flat to the finish in Rimini.
Stage 2 | 30 June | Cesenatico – Bologna | 199.2 km | 1,850 m elevation gain
The second stage offers the classics specialists and puncheurs a chance for a stage win. In memory of Marco Pantani, the 200-kilometer section starts in Cesenatico on the Adriatic coast and winds through Emilia-Romagna, passing the Formula 1 track in Imola, before heading to Bologna. There, riders will face two challenging final laps of approximately 16 kilometers each, featuring the San Luca climb, which is 1.9 kilometers long with an average gradient of 10.6 percent.
Stage 3 | 1 July | Piacenza – Turin | 230.8 km | 1,100 m elevation gain
Like the first two stages, stage three is over 200 kilometers long and, at 230.8 kilometers, is the longest stage of this Tour. However, it is far less challenging. There are three climbs, but they are neither long nor steep and are located well before the finish. The most notable of these is the Côte del Tortone, ridden in honor of Fausto Coppi. All signs point to a “Royal Sprint” finish in Turin at the end of this Tour’s longest leg.
Stage 4 | 2 July | Pinerolo – Valloire | 139.6 km | 3,600 m elevation gain
To reach France, the organizer A.S.O. chose a “rocky” but short route. Stage 4 includes the climb to Sestriere, the border pass Col de Montgenèvre, and the Col du Galibier. Early in the three-week tour, the riders will tackle the Galibier, the first high mountain pass. From the summit of this Alpine giant at 2,642 meters, the highest pass of this Tour, there are still nearly 20 kilometers to the finish in Valloire. It’s likely that this day could already bring some “calm” to the general classification.
Stage 5 | 3 July | Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Saint-Vulbas | 177.4 km | 1,050 m elevation gain
Exiting the Alps, the fifth stage leads from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne through Chambéry and could turn into a sprinter’s affair after 177.4 kilometers, ending in Saint-Vulbas on the Rhône.
Stage 6 | 4 July | Mâcon – Dijon | 163.5 km | 1,000 m elevation gain
Stage six from Mâcon to Dijon is relatively short at 163.5 kilometers. The terrain is only challenging for the first 80 kilometers, which pass through the vineyards. After that, the route is flat leading into the city of Dijon, where an 800-meter finishing straight is an ideal setting for a mass sprint.
Stage 7 | 5 July | Nuits-Saint-Georges – Gevrey-Chambertin | 25.3 km | 300 m elevation gain
The first of two time trials covers 25.3 kilometers through forests and vineyards. The only topographical challenge is the Côte de Curtil-Vergy, a 1.6-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 6.1 percent, which comes in the final third of this “contre la montre.” This is ideal terrain for specialists in this discipline.
Stage 8 | 6 July | Semur-en-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises | 183.4 km | 2,400 m elevation gain
Sprinters versus breakaway – the terrain in the first two-thirds of this stage provides ideal opportunities for the “escapees.” With five categorized climbs, breakaway riders can build a lead over the sprinter teams. The final hour of the race will likely feature an exciting game of cat and mouse.
Stage 9 | 7 July | Troyes – Troyes | 199 km | 2,000 m elevation gain
Will the white roads of Champagne decide the 2024 Tour de France? Perhaps. A mechanical issue on the gravel sectors could severely set back a favorite. Thus, most GC riders – except Tadej Pogacar – are not thrilled about this stage.
Inspired by stage 4 of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes, this rolling section around Troyes includes 14 gravel sectors, six of which are in the final part of the stage, totaling 32.2 kilometers.
But that’s not all. From kilometer 40, the terrain becomes quite hilly for the next 100 kilometers – short, steep sections, similar to those found in vineyards, will be common.
Stage 10 | 9 July | Orléans – Saint-Amand-Montrond | 187.3 km | 950 m elevation gain
The last time a Tour de France stage finished in Saint-Amand-Montrond, the peloton was split into many groups by crosswinds. This scenario could repeat in 2024, as there are several changes in direction over the final 30 kilometers. This bodes well for Mark Cavendish, who won from a smaller group back in 2013.
Stage 11 | 10 July | Évaux-les-Bains – Le Lioran | 211 km | 4,350 m elevation gain
The only Tour stage in 2024 that passes through the Massif Central is a tough one. The peloton must tackle 4,350 meters of elevation gain over 211 kilometers. The final 50 kilometers to the finish in Le Lioran demand strong climbing legs. Col de Néronne, Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol, Col de Pertus, Col de Font de Cère, and the climb to Le Lioran provide perfect settings for the battle for the stage win and possibly crucial seconds in the overall standings.
Stage 12 | 11 July | Aurillac – Villeneuve-sur-Lot | 203.6 km | 2,200 m elevation gain
The last stage of this Tour with more than 200 kilometers. But that’s little consolation for the riders – especially the domestiques. The sprinter teams will need to control the breakaways and set up a strong lead-out so that the race can culminate in a royal sprint after 203.6 kilometers in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
Stage 13 | 12 July | Agen – Pau | 165.3 km | 2,000 m elevation gain
The peloton approaches the Pyrenees, with Pau known as the gateway. Along the way, the exciting question will be answered – a sprint finish or a win from a breakaway group. The hills in the latter part of the stage could ruin the sprinters’ chances. On the other hand, there won’t be many more opportunities for the fast men, and their teams will do everything to control the stage.
Stage 14 | 13 July | Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet | 151.9 km | 4,000 m elevation gain
Just as riders had to tackle a high mountain pass early in this Tour – with the Galibier on day four – they now face the first summit finish late in the race. After more than two weeks, a stage finally ends “on the mountain” – in Pla d’Adet.
No less than the Col du Tourmalet opens the first Pyrenean stage. After about 80 kilometers, the 19-kilometer climb to the mythical Tour mountain begins, reaching an elevation of 2,115 meters. After descending to Sainte-Marie de Campan, the climb to Hourquette d’Ancizan follows. From there, the route descends to the village of Saint-Lary-Soulan before the final climb to Pla d’Adet begins.
The road winds up 10.6 kilometers with an average gradient of 7.1 percent, interrupted by longer sections with gradients up to 12 percent. Fifty years ago, in 1974, this ski resort made its Tour debut. Raymond Poulidor took the victory, his last one at the Tour de France.
Stage 15 | 14 July | Loudenvielle – Plateau de Beille | 197.7 km | 4,800 m elevation gain
The Pyrenean double pack includes the section from Loudenvielle to Plateau de Beille. The second summit finish of this Tour takes place on Bastille Day. The nearly 198-kilometer ride features five categorized climbs, totaling 4,850 meters of elevation gain.
But those are just the bare numbers. The dramatic sequence of climbs could make this day a real spectacle. From the start, the route leads up the Col du Peyresourde. Anyone having a bad day will be mercilessly dropped right from the beginning. And those wanting to send teammates ahead as relay stations will find few better opportunities.
Next, the peloton could be reduced at the Col de Mente and Col de Portet-d’Aspet with appropriate pace work. The finale kicks off with the climb to Col d’Agnes. Over the Port de Lers, the riders then reach the final climb to Plateau de Beille.
Stage 16 | 16 July | Gruissan – Nimes | 188.6 km | 1,200 m elevation gain
The last chance for the sprinters is on the 188.6-kilometer stretch between Gruissan and Nimes. However, the fast men may face two potential challengers on this flat stage: the breakaway riders and the wind. The Mistral often blows in this area and can disrupt chances of a stage win.
Stage 17 | 17 July | Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux – Superdévoluy | 177.8 km | 2,850 m elevation gain
After a nearly 140-kilometer approach, during which a breakaway group will almost certainly have formed, an aggressive and fast finale begins. The climbs in the “Alpes du Sud” department are not too long, favoring more explosive climbers. Returning to the Alps, the riders must first tackle the Col Bayard (6.8 km at 7.3%) and the Col du Noyer (7.5 km at 8.4%) before the final climb decides the stage. The 3.8-kilometer ascent with an average gradient of 5.9% leads to the ski resort of Superdévoluy.
Stage 18 | 18 July | Gap – Barcelonnette | 179 km | 3,100 m elevation gain
A day for the breakaway riders in the “shadow of Mont Ventoux”! The stage heads east from Gap, crossing the Lac de Serre-Ponçon reservoir. From there, the terrain becomes hilly, and the breakaway riders will attempt to make a decisive move on the Côte de Saint-Apollinaire or the Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées.
Stage 19 | 19 July | Embrun – Isola 2000 | 144.6 km | 4,400 m elevation gain
The air gets thin on this Alpine stage. Although it is not particularly long at 145 kilometers, the riders will cross the 2000-meter mark three times on their way from Embrun to Isola 2000. After the Col de Vars (18.8 km at 5.7%) at 2109 meters, they face what is likely the toughest climb of this Tour, stretching 22.9 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.9%.
They will ascend the Col de la Bonnette Restefond (2703 meters) on an endless road up to the Cime de la Bonnette at 2802 meters. This is the highest paved road in France and the roof of this Tour de France. Following a long descent down to Isola at 904 meters, the final climb begins to the ski resort of Isola 2000 at 2024 meters. In the lower part of the 16.1-kilometer ascent, riders will have to overcome steep ramps.
Stage 20 | 20 July | Nice – Col de la Couillole | 132.8 km | 4,600 m elevation gain
The final summit finish of this Tour de France features a rapid series of ascents and descents, totaling 4,600 meters of elevation gain. There are virtually no flat sections on the 133 kilometers between Nice and the finish at Col de la Couillole.
Shortly after starting in Nice, the route climbs up to the village of L’Escarène. Soon after, the ascent to Col de Braus (10 km at 6%) begins, reaching 1002 meters. The riders then descend rapidly to Souspel, where the road climbs again. After Moulinet, the climb to Col de Turini begins, a route familiar to motorsport fans from the “Night of the Long Knives” at the Monte Carlo Rally. This 20.7-kilometer climb has an average gradient of 5.7%, reaching 1607 meters. The Col de Turini is an old but often forgotten part of the Tour, first featured in 1948 and only three times since, most recently in 2020.
Next, at kilometer 95.9, the Col de la Colmiane (7.5 km at 7.1%) is on the agenda. From its summit at 1500 meters, a long downhill section through the Mercantour National Park leads to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tiné. Just beyond this point, the final climb of this Alpine stage begins. The 15.7-kilometer ascent has an average gradient of 7.1%, ending at the 1,678-meter-high Col de la Couillole.
Stage 21 | 21 July | Monaco – Nice | 33.7 km | 650 m elevation gain
For the first time since 1985, the Tour de France will end with an individual time trial. And for the first time ever, the “Grand Boucle” will not finish in France’s capital, Paris. The scenic route from Monaco to Nice is unlikely to be enjoyed by the riders, given the immense effort and high concentration required. From Monaco, the time trial heads up an 8.1-kilometre climb with an average gradient of 5.6% to the town of La Turbie. After a short descent, the riders reach the Col d’Eze, a popular training climb for many pros. From the summit of Col d’Eze, a fast and technically demanding descent leads down to the coast in Nice.
Profiles, Maps © A.S.O.