Change of atmosphere. After 230 km spent crossing Italy, from Piacenza to Turin, on a flat course, the elevation is back for this fourth stage of the Tour de France. The peloton will set off from the Italian town of Pinerolo (Pignerol in French) then cross the border to reach Valloire, in Savoie. On the program: 139.6 km and 3600 m of elevation gain.
If two category 2 passes have to be crossed with that of Sestrières (40 km at 3.7%) and that of Montgenèvre (8.3 km at 5.9%), the biggest part of the day remains the legendary Col du Galibier, the first hors catégorie of this Grande Boucle version 2024. Around twenty kilometers before the finish, the riders will have to swallow the 23 km of the pass which has a gradient of more than 5% on average.
According to Tour director Christian Prudhomme, the 2,642 m of Galibier will be “a first opportunity for the favourites to test themselves in the high mountains”.
The fourth stage will be followed this Tuesday, July 2 on France Télévisions and Eurosport. The fictitious start will be given at 1:05 p.m. The stage will be followed live with commentary on leparisien.fr
