20% climb headlines mountainous Critérium du Dauphiné route

The route for the Critérium du Dauphiné has been revealed this week and within the mountainous route that has been presented to the riders is a brutally steep climb which will coincide with the end of the race itself: La Bastille.

The eight-day race is frequently the biggest run-up test to the Tour de France. It includes many hilly stages in preparation to what comes next, as well as more time-trialing kilometers than the Tour itself. The final two stages will see the riders in the high mountains of the Alps, but the final day has a particularly interesting detail.

Stage 7 features over 4000 meters of climbing and a summit finish at the Col de la Croix de Fer. In traditional matter the final day also features quite a lot of climbing, and more explosive climbs mostly, however in the profile the uphill finale is barely visible as the riders head down into Grenoble and immediately take of a fierce climb.

The ascent of La Bastille is 1.8 kilometers at 14.2%, in itself already making for a fierce challenge. At the end of a mountainous day there won't be many riders in discussion for the victory, but in this ascent a lot can still change. The climb features over 20% in it's first half for quite a significant distance, and will be a shock to the system of every rider. The finish line at the summit coincides with the end of the race where the yellow jersey will be decided. Last year Primoz Roglic took the overall win after he and Jonas Vingegaard dominated the mountain stages.