Alpe d’Huez to return? Reports suggest the 2025 Tour de France will return to its most famous climb
Cycling
According to Le Dauphiné, the 2025 Tour de France is
set to bring back one of the most iconic stages in cycling—the climb to Alpe
d’Huez. The legendary ascent, a fan-favourite and a true test of grit for the
riders, has not been part of the Tour since 2022, when Tom Pidcock delivered a
stunning solo victory. The 2025 edition of the Tour will run from July 5th to
July 27th, and with its return to Alpe d’Huez, anticipation is building for
what could be a defining stage of the race.
Alpe d’Huez is synonymous with Tour de France history. The 21-hairpin
bends winding up its 13.8 km ascent, with an average gradient of 8.1%, have
seen some of the most dramatic moments in the race’s storied past. It first
featured in 1952, when legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi rode to victory
and established the climb as a legendary route for cycling. Since then, it has
become one of the most revered climbs in cycling, often serving as a
battleground for the Tour’s yellow jersey contenders. Riders who triumph here
cement their place in Tour history.
The 2025 Tour is also expected to return to Savoie,
revisiting the high-altitude regions that offer spectacular alpine views. A
stage from Albertville to La Plagne is rumored, meaning the peloton could face
another brutal day in the mountains with Alpe d’Huez already in their legs.
Another notable feature of the 2025 route is the return to
Paris for the traditional final day sprint. In 2024, the race finale was
relocated due to the Paris Olympics, but the Champs-Élysées will once again
host the prestigious sprint in 2025.
The official route will be unveiled in Paris on October
29th, but fans can already start to look forward to another thrilling edition
of the Tour, with Alpe d’Huez likely to be a major highlight.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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