6/8/21 Canyon.com
6/8/21 Canyon.com

Biggest & best climbs of the Tour de France 2021

Biggest & best climbs of the Tour de France 2021 🚴 Find out the most iconic climbs of the 2021 Tour de France route. Who will win the polka dot jersey?

Biggest & best climbs of the Tour de France 2021 Best climbs of the Tour de France 2021

Let’s be honest: the most exciting stages of the Tour de France happen in the mountains. Gaps can turn from seconds into minutes, and the battle for the yellow jersey can be upended on a single day. There's something surreal seeing riders tackle some of the highest peaks in Europe. We like to imagine ourselves riding the very same climbs as the pros and joining the mythos of Merckx or LeMond, with some of you going as far as planning cycling holidays around the spectacular climbs of the Tour de France.

Whether in the mountains or the rolling "paysage," look out for Team Movistar, Team Arkea Samsic, and Alpecin-Fenix as they traverse Le Tour, from Brest to Paris, on their trusted Canyon Aeroad, Canyon Ultimate and Canyon Speedmax bikes.

For three weeks starting June 26, 2021, we’ll be cheering for Enric Mas of Team Movistar as he chases the yellow jersey following his win of the young rider jersey at the 2020 Vuelta Espana. Keep an eye out as well for Nairo Quintana of Arkea-Samsic, who has many top-10 finishes on all three of the major Grand Tours. Known for his aggressive climbing style, be sure to keep an eye out for Nairo on the mountain stages. Vuelta a España. Nairo Quintana has many top-10s to his name on all three of the major Grand Tours and he’s known as one of the world’s best climbers.

Stage 7 | Vierzon - Le Creusot: Signal d’Uchon

Riders are unlikely to have given their little chainrings much use until they reach the small but mighty ascent of the Signal d’Uchon in the south east corner of the Morvan Regional Natural Park. Making its debut in the 2021 Tour de France, the 5.7 km climb has a sting in its tail with the final two kilometres pitching up to 9.4% and 13.1% respectively with a maximum gradient of 18%. As the longest stage of the entire race (and indeed the longest stage in 21 years at 248 km / 154 mi) between Vierzon and Le Creusot, we’re expecting a fierce battle for the polka dots before the race heads into the Alps.

First featured in the Tour de France in 1960, the Col de la Colombiere is making an appearance for a 23rd time in the race. Starting the climb from Scionzien, the 16.3 km pass averages 6.8% and (much to the chagrin of the peloton,) it gets steeper as they climb. As the first stage in the Alps proper, we’re already on the edge of our seats in anticipation of the first shots to ring out from those looking to make their GC ambitions known.

Col de la Colombière Col de la Colombière Š Kramon Photo

Stage 9 | Cluses - Tignes: MontĂŠe de Tignes

Summit finishes are a sight to behold as riders launch attacks on streets usually lined with fans urging their favourites to dig deep and grind their way to a stage win. A huge day in the saddle awaits the peloton as they wind their way up the Col du Pre, the Cormet de Roseland, and finally the MontĂŠe de Tignes. Recall the 2019 edition of the race, where you might remember a freak landslide upset proceedings on the descent into Tignes. Well, this year sees riders ascend the very same 21 km stretch of tarmac. Stage 9 will be the first opportunity for the general classification riders to use their legs in the mountains.

Montée de Tignes MontĂŠe de Tignes Š Le Tour

Stage 11 | Sorgues - Malaucène: Mont Ventoux

The ‘Giant of Provence’ is back under the wheels of the Tour de France peloton in 2021. After Chris Froome swapped his wheels for his running shoes following a collision with a motorbike in 2016, we’re prepping our popcorn in anticipation of another dramatic stage up Mont Ventoux in 2021. The route for stage 11 includes the first ever double ascent of the Bald Mountain. Starting from Sault, the first ascent begins up the longest (but most gentle) side of the mountain after which riders descend into Malaucène, skirt the foothills of Ventoux, and then endure their final ascent from Bédoin. It’ll be a nerve-wracking final 20 km as riders showcase their descending skills before reaching the finish line in the now familiar town of Malaucène.

Mont Ventoux Mont Ventoux Š Kramon Photo

Stage 15 | CĂŠret - Andorra la Vella

No journey into the Pyrenees is complete without riding through Andorra, a place many professional riders call home thanks to its high altitude mountains. Stage 15 of the 2021 Tour de France will begin with short and shallow climbs before riders weave their way up to the highest point of the entire race at the summit of Port d’Envalira at 2408 m (7900 ft.) At this point in the race, we can expect the group of yellow jersey contenders to be whittled down to just a couple of riders, so it’ll be an important stage for increasing the lead.

Andorra la Vella Andorra la Vella Š Le Tour

Stage 17 | Muret – Saint-Lary-Soulan: Col du Portet

Yet another summit finish will grace our screens during stage 17 of the 2021 Tour de France. Though the route starts off somewhat benign, the real test comes in the final 65 km of the stage. Three consecutive and iconic cols will send heart rates sky high as the peloton ascends the Col du Peyresourde, the Col de Val Louron-Azet, and then the Col du Portet, whose summit will surely be home to a rememberable finale. At just under 18 km at an average of nearly 8%, this summit finish will be a force to be reckoned with.

Col du Portet Col du Portet Š Kramon Photo

Stage 18 | Pau - Luz Ardinen: Col du Tourmalet

The final mountain stage of the Tour before riders make their way to the Champs Elysses is not to be missed. Despite a relatively short distance at just 130 km, it’s the last chance for the GC riders to use their climbing legs to fight for the yellow jersey. Similar in distance to the climbs in earlier stages, the Col du Tourmalet is a real icon of the Pyrenees and a favourite among amateur and professional cyclists alike. The 85th appearance of the mountain pass will see riders ascend from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, flying up gradients peaking at 10%. Will the riders leave it all on the Tourmalet or will they save their attacks for the final climb up to Luz Ardinen?

Col du Tourmalet Col du Tourmalet Š Kramon Photo

The mountain stages are a real highlight to all the Grand Tours and the 2021 Tour de France is no exception. With an exciting route and stages ahead including a couple of potentially race-changing individual time trials, we’re more than ready to embrace "La Grande Boucle" as it captivates the world for three weeks.

Who is your money on to take the yellow jersey? Let us know on our social channels!

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