Tour de France Femmes 2022 stage seven preview - the real climbing begins

Tour de France Femmes 2022 stage seven preview - the real climbing begins

The first of the two final mountain stages of this year's race should cause a GC shake up

Words: Katy Madgwick

Tour de France Femmes 2022, stage seven
Distance: 127.1km
Start location: Sélestat
Finish location:  Le Markstein Fellering
Start time: 12:30 BST
Finish time (approx): 16.16 BST

The Tour de France Femmes has built steadily to a final weekend crescendo, as two huge mountain stages in two days will decide the outcome of the general classification, a contest that has been tantalisingly teased in earlier stages but which won’t fully ignite until stage 7.

With a marked escalation in altitude metres, this penultimate day will offer a more realistic glimpse at the form of the key players in the GC race, as they are tested on the most stringent climbs yet on this Queen stage of the Tour.

Tour de France Femmes 2022 stage seven route

The day begins in Sélestat, a prominent town on the Alsace wine route renowned for its historic architecture. It features Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles side by side, and is notable for never having featured on a stage of either the men’s or women’s Tours de France, historically.

Travelling south from Sélestat, the women’s peloton can enjoy a relatively flat opening to the stage – around 40km before they kiss goodbye to the flatlands and head into the Vosges mountains. Having said that, the route begins steadily rising around 30km in, ahead of the three category 1 tests that will challenge the riders and set light to the GC contest.

The first is the Petit Ballon: the little sister of the day’s final climb, the first ascent will feel far from small. It’s not the longest of climbs at 9.3km but with an average pitch of 8.1%, it will not only test the bunch and likely see the first big GC attacks of the race, but combined with another climb hot on its heels after only around 10km of descent, it will almost certainly split the bunch, with pure climbers and GC contenders leaving the punchers and sprinters in their wake.

The second climb is the Col du Platzerwasel, and it’s similar in length and gradient – 7.1km at 8.3%. The pair of steep climbs in quick succession will be decisive – expect fireworks.

The final challenge of the day is the Grand Ballon. 1,424 metres at its highest point, the ascent is the highest peak of the Vosges mountains. Topped by a white ball radar and a summit monument, the category 1 rated ascent takes the race to its highest altitude overall. It’s not a summit finish however, and once the women have conquered the climb, they have just over 8km remaining as they traverse a plateau and gradually descend towards the finish line in Le Markstein Fellering. The ski resort’s claims to fame include playing host to the Alpine Skiing World Cup, and being the first resort in the area to be equipped with a ski lift. It’s featured in the Tour before but never as a stage finish. 

Tour de France Femmes 2022 stage seven contenders and prediction

With two pivotal days in which to make an impact, expect numerous attacks from the GC teams and full gas racing throughout. With the final day featuring shorter, punchier climbs, it’s the pure climbers who will likely excel on stage 7 – keep an eye on Mavi Garcia, Juliette LabousDemi Vollering, Annemiek van Vleuten, Kasia Niewiadoma, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, who will all be looking to gain time on the rest ahead of the final stage.

Cover image: A.S.O./Romain Laurent

Words: Katy Madgwick

READ MORE

Resilience, drive and passion: Isaac del Toro is cycling’s next superstar

Resilience, drive and passion: Isaac del Toro is cycling’s next superstar

The Mexican rider’s performance on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia was spirited, impressive and confirms why he deserves to be leading this race

Read more
So close yet so far: Has Bardet’s last shot at the Grand Tour triple crown disappeared up the road?

So close yet so far: Has Bardet’s last shot at the Grand Tour triple crown disappeared up the road?

Frenchman finishes second on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia after being caught by pink jersey Isaac del Toro

Read more
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage 18 preview: Sprinters or breakaway?

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage 18 preview: Sprinters or breakaway?

One of the Giro's shortest stages will be a push and pull between the breakaway and those eyeing a possible bunch finish

Read more
‘We were ready to change the plan’ - Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are welcoming in a new guard of talent

‘We were ready to change the plan’ - Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are welcoming in a new guard of talent

With Primož Roglič’s withdrawal from the Giro d’Italia, young talent from the German team is stepping up to the plate

Read more
The road has decided UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Giro leader – A blessing or a curse?

The road has decided UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Giro leader – A blessing or a curse?

All talk of rivalry can be put to rest after Juan Ayuso’s stage 16 blow up – race leader Del Toro has demanded support from...

Read more
‘Belief, desire and a dream’ - Richard Carapaz will do everything to win the Giro d’Italia

‘Belief, desire and a dream’ - Richard Carapaz will do everything to win the Giro d’Italia

The 2019 Giro winner’s spirited performance on the first real mountain showdown of this year’s race is another sign that he is back at his...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE