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After the punishing finish of Stage 7, riders will get a bit of reprieve on the hilly Stage 8 with four low-category climbs, but no major mountains. Starting in Dole to Lausanne the route rolls south through the Jura mountains before heading west crossing into Switzerland. The course travels briefly along Lake Geneva before the final Cat 3 climb up the Côte du Stade olympique to the finish in Lausanne.

Weather Forecast

Current weather forecasts show mild conditions with a crosswind early turning to a headwind as the race moves towards Switzerland. Speeds should remain quick as they have throughout the tour.

Stage Analysis

Stage 7 was an amazing stage with Tadej Pogačar showing once again why he is the defending champion by winning with a late sprint up the 24% dirt climb up the Super Planche des Belles Filles while wearing Yellow. After the fireworks and near break-a-way win for Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe), who was away all day only to run out of steam with 50 meters to go, we expect stage 8 to be much calmer. With the current wind conditions, solo attacks will be hard to mount, but a big enough group could get in a break and work together if the GC riders take a bit of a rest before going back into the mountains in Stage 9. The final climb up the Côte du Stade olympique does feature some steeper 9-12% sections but nothing like we saw today and the last 800 meters flattens to a manageable 3%. Some of the early GC hopefuls that are well back after today could try to improve their standings. We would love to see BBS team-sponsored Rigoberto Urán (EF Education-EasyPost) make a push if there is a group breakaway to move up into the top 10. Teams may also let Swiss riders take time in the spotlight for the chance at a stage win on home soil.