91st Tour de France - July 3-25, 2004

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Stage 18 - Friday July 23: Annemasse - Lons le Saunier, 166.5 km

By Deena-Maree Faulkner

Annemasse will this year host its first Tour start, however it won't be an easy one. With five categorised climbs in the 166.5 kilometres, everyone today will looking forward to the final 40 km. which are mostly downhill. At 62.5 kilometres from the start, the riders start to ascend the major climb of the stage, the Cat. 2 Col de la Faucille, which averages 6.3% for 11.5 km. The race finishes up in Lons le Saunier with the Cat. 4 Côte de Nogna at 13 km to go a key point for a late attack. Look for a non-threatening breakaway to go clear in this stage with US Postal riding tempo behind to keep things under control before Saturday's final time trial.

Climbs

Km 34.5: Côte de: Collonges, 2.5 km at 4.2%
Km 75.5: Col de la Faucille, 11.5 km at 6.3%
Km 87.5: Côte de Lajoux, 3.7 km at 5.4%
Km 119: Côte de Saint-Lupicin, 6.2 km at 3.9%
Km 127: Côte des Crozets, 6.3 km at 3.7%
Km 153: Côte de Nogna, 2.2 km at 4.3%

Map & Profile

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