Get ready for an exhilarating finale as we preview the eighth stage of the Aura Tour, a thrilling dash across the iconic Alps. This stage promises an intense battle for the General Classification (GC) title, with a mere 49 seconds separating the current leader, Luke Tuckwell, from his closest rival, Isaac del Toro.
The route is a challenging 120km with a substantial 3,860m of vertical gain. It begins with the picturesque yet demanding Col du Pré, known for its steep hairpin bends. Following this, riders will tackle the backroad version of the Col des Saisies, a small and irregular climb. The Col des Aravis is next, featuring a lengthy and steep approach that would be a highlight in any other race. The descent is Alpine-style, easing as it passes through a gorge-like valley.
The stage concludes with an 11.2km climb at an average gradient of 9.2%, featuring slopes of 10-12% and comparable to the notorious Mortirolo. This final climb could be the deciding factor in the GC battle.
Del Toro, fresh off his stage 7 victory, is a strong contender for a repeat performance. He'll be motivated by the prospect of closing the gap to Tuckwell, who suffered a two-and-a-half-minute loss in the previous stage. Juan Ayuso, despite his audacious riding yesterday, may opt for a more measured approach today, aiming to snatch the stage win. Tobias Halland Johannessen has been impressive, but the win will be a tough ask.
Paul Seixas, despite his crash and subsequent chase, could be a dark horse if he can recover and contend on the final climb. Valentin Paret-Peintre, improving daily, has the advantage of racing on a climb close to his home.
The weather forecast is sunny with a pleasant 27°C, providing ideal racing conditions. Tune in to KM0 at 1.30 pm and catch the finish at 5.00 pm. This stage promises an exciting battle, so don't miss it!
A fun fact: The Signal de Bisanne, the second climb today, has an interesting story. When our blogger reconned the route in 2016, they found the road being resurfaced, leaving only a narrow parapet as a passage. A Tour contender and his team faced a similar challenge, opting to walk on the road rather than risk the parapet. The rider's imprints in the fresh bitumen might still be visible as the race passes today, a unique reminder of the challenges faced during route reconnaissance.
