CyclistThe climbs that will decide the Tour de France Femmes 2024In Grand Tour racing, the mountains decide the state of play in the general classification. This is sure to be the case at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, which starts in Rotterdam on the 12th August.At the 2024 race, the parcours focusses on the Alps for the first time in the races three-year history. Along the way, the riders will tackle the Ardennes and Lorraine hills as they make their way south to the finale atop Alpe dHuez.The Tour de France Femmes 2024 will include two pure mountain days (Stages 7 and 8) and three intermediate hilly profiles (Stages 4, 5 and 6). In total, this years Tour will cover 10,700m of altitude gain. This is 2,000-3,000m fewer than the routes of the 2022 and 2023 races.Ctede la Roche-aux-Focons: Stage 4, Wednesday 14th AugustA.S.O./Billy CeustersThis Ardennes climb is usually seen during the springtime instead of during the Tours summer slot. This is because the Roche-aux-Focons acts as the final climb in Lige-Bastogne-Lige. Since 2019, it has seen winning moves made on its unforgiving slopes.The climb, in its Ardennes nature, is short and steep. Its just over 1km in length at an average of 10%. The slopes will continue after the climb to Boncelles, and there are bonus seconds available here for the first three riders across the summit.This set of twin climbs will be pivotal during the early phase of the Tour de France Femmes. After three very flat stages, this climb will likely decide the new GC leader and therefore the yellow jersey wearer. Related Posts The best photos from the womens Olympic Road Race Paris 2024 vita Muzic interview: If I had to choose between the Olympics or the Tour de France, it would be the Tour de France Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Simon Yates to Visma, OConnor to Jayco, Pidcock to leave Ineos? Tour de France Femmes 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know La Roche du Prtre: Stage 6, Friday 16th August WikiMedia/JGS25La Roche du Prtre which translates in English to the Priests Rock will be a decisive climb on Stage 6. After some undulating days, this climb will act as a springboard before the downhill arrival into the sausage-making town of Morteau.The category 2 Roche du Prtre comes in at an average gradient of 5.6% over 5.5km. These stats are slightly misleading. The climb continues under a different name to the bonus second sprint in Le Mont Sianet, then to the final peak at the Ctedes Fins. In total, this sequence of climbs will last around 15km.During this section, the race will hit 10% briefly as the riders pass over the deceiving hills of the Doubs area. At the Ctedes Fins, the race will pass over the 1000m marker for the first time at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes. These roads have never been used before in the mens or womens Tour de France, so it could come as a surprise to many riders.Le Grand Bornand: Stage 7, Saturday 17th AugustA.S.O./Charly LopezThe Monte de Chinaillon will serve as the first summit finish of the race. Coming in Le Grand Bornand on Stage 7, the Chinaillon climb has been granted category 2 status at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes.The climb is quite steady in gradient, with an average of 5.1% over the 7km ascent. So it might not be as crucial as those to come the day after on Stage 8. That said, after a week of waiting, the true climbing specialists wont give up on a chance to stretch their legs. The course also weaves around some hairpins, which may cause some trouble for the favourites.Le Grand Bornand has hosted the Tour on 14 occasions. The ski resort also hosted the womens one-day Classic La Course in 2018. Le Grand Bornand last hosted a Tour stage during the 2021 edition of the mens race. On that occasion, Tadej Pogaar made a decisive mood to seize the maillot jaune.Col du Glandon: Stage 8, Sunday 18th AugustThe Col du Glandon will be the longest climb of the Tour de France Femmes this year at 19.9km in length. The climb can be split into two phases. The opening 8km are at 7.2% in average gradient. After 8km, the gradients settle down in Saint-Colomban-des-Villards. After this point, the gradients ramp up again to an 8.8% average gradient for the final 8km-long phase.The 1,923m high summit will also be the highest point of the 2024 race and its the first hors-catgorie climb of the Tour. For polka dot jersey hopefuls, this will be of high importance. There is some reward on the way down, however, as the riders will pass by the Lac de GrandMaison reservoir.The mens Tour de France has passed over the Glandon on 12 occasions, most recently in 2018.Read ourCol du Glandon Classic ClimbAlpe dHuez: Stage 8, Sunday 18th AugustJuan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistThe final climb of the Tour de France Femmes 2024 is equally the most decisive and recognisable. The 21 hairpins of the Alpe are known across the cycling world. It is the most famous climb in Tour de France history. 2024 will mark the first time that the Tour de France Femmes has climbed up the iconic mountain.The climb is 14km at a 7.9% average gradient. The toughest slopes come in the opening phase after the race leaves the base camp of Bourg dOisans. Here, the gradients kick up to 10% for the first hairpins of the climb.The climb is relentless, with no let-up at all. The gradients continue at around 7% to 9% for the remainder of the climb, with another tough section around halfway through. The final section opens up onto wider roads where the slopes go down to a more moderate 5% as the race snakes its way around the skiing town of Alpe dHuez.The climb is granted hors-catgorie status. This means that 25 points will be available for the first rider across the emblematic finish line. The stage will also finish atop the climb, so the Tour de France Femmes champion will be known once the riders crest the summit.In Tour de France history, many notable greats have won in Alpe dHuez. Marco Pantani, Alberto Contador and Gianni Bugno are among the riders who have lifted their arms atop the Alpe. In recent years, its been a British affair on Alpe dHuez with Geraint Thomas winning here in 2018 and Tom Pidcock sealing the crown in 2022.Read ourAlpe dHuez Classic Climb Related Posts The best photos from the womens Olympic Road Race Paris 2024 vita Muzic interview: If I had to choose between the Olympics or the Tour de France, it would be the Tour de France Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Simon Yates to Visma, OConnor to Jayco, Pidcock to leave Ineos? Tour de France Femmes 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know The post The climbs that will decide the Tour de France Femmes 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.