The climb of Lacets de Montevernier will feature in today’s eighteenth stage of the Tour de France from Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Amazingly, it’s the first time that the climb has featured in the Tour.
The climb is made up of eighteen hairpins and is spectacular. It’s only 3.3km long but has an average gradient of 7.8%, with a maximum percentage is 21.2%. It climbs 258m. The hairpins come in quick succession, about every 150 metres.
The road was finished in 1934, linking Montvernier with the valley below. It’s not going to be a decisive climb and it’s not a giant compared to some of the other climbs in the Maurienne valley. However, it really is stunning and worthwhile doing if you’re in the region.
Here’s the drone footage of the climb:
I remember that one well. Didn’t we descend it back in 2007 on the way to the infamous Glandon?!?
That’s right Jonathan. Great descent, but impossible to get any speed on it.