ANNECY, France - The route for the 2013 Etape du Tour has been announced and it is a 130 kilometre loop from Annency that takes in six climbs of varying difficulties in the Haute-Savoie, known in France as the 'Venice of the Alps'. It will take place on Sunday 7 July.

The Etape will end with a mountain top finish at Annency Semnoz, which will see riders complete a 11 kilometre climb at an average of 8.3% at the end of their ride. It will be the penultimate stage of the 2013 Tour de France and is the first time the Semnoz has been used as a Tour finish, although it has featured in the race before.

Unlike the past two years there will only be one route for the 2013 Etape which means it will probably be a sell-out; it is thought that organisers ASO have failed to sell out the two Acts of the Etape and financially it makes more sense to limit it to one event per year, especially as they are also offering Etapes for some of the one day Classics this year.

The six climbs in the 2013 Etape are:

  • Côte de Puget (5,4 km at average of 5.8%)
  • Col de Leschaux (3,6 km at average of 6.2%)
  • Côte de Aillons-le-Vieux (6km at average of 4%)
  • Col des Prés (3,5 km at average of 6.5%)
  • Col du Mont-Revard (16 km at average of 5.4%)
  • Semnoz (11 km at average of 8.3%)

There has been some grumbling among French cycle forum posters that the 2013 Etape is not tough enough but it has around 3,500 metres of climbing and the final ascent will be very testing, especially if it is a hot day. The climbs have some sharp changes in gradient which will make it impossible for riders to get a constant climbing rhythm, which may be problematic for some riders.

The main concern for riders should be the Col de Puget as it is uses relatively narrow roads and its placing so close to the start of the Etape means that there the possibility of a bottleneck is quite high unless ASO manage a very well staggered start (which they have shown themselves capable of doing in the past).

Although it may not have as much climbing and is not as long a route as some previous Etapes it would be wrong to claim that it is an "easy Etape" and it will be a pretty stiff test for the average amateur rider who isn't used to riding in the mountains.

Registration for the 2013 Etape will open on 28 November.

Organisers ASO said of the event: "Annecy, the "Venice of the Alps" will welcome you during 3 days, between mild summer of the lake and close to many passes and summits. The program for this 21th edition is a very nervous route of 130 km fully drawn in Bauges, a sequence of small hamlets and villages in the protected environment of the natural park.

The profile of this step does not promise much rest time, the altitude is distributed among many ascents. The grand finale will take place on the rise of Semnoz, which has impressive percentages.

"After a finish at the top of the sport Semnoz, you will descend slowly towards Annecy, to find your relatives and village facilities, for a well deserved rest."

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