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STAGE 7: LYON -- MORZINE

Published: Jul. 5, 2003

At 230.5km, this is the longest stage of the 2003 Tour, and includes four climbs that have never been used. The toughest is the Col de la Ramaz, which tops out at 1619 meters (5311 feet), 22km from the finish in Morzine. More than 14km long and averaging almost 7 percent, the Ramaz is a significant obstacle. By coming so late in the long day, and being followed by a steep descent, a 4km climb to Les Gets and another downhill, it will give a first indication of who will be challenging for the yellow jersey.

7/12/2003 Start Time: 11:10:00am
7/12/2003 Estimated Finish Time: 5:34:00pm

HISTORY
After just a week of racing, the Tour enters the mountains the earliest since 1996. Seven years ago, stage 7 went from Aix-les-Bains to Les Arcs over three high mountain passes with a summit finish. It proved the undoing of Miguel Induráin, who lost all hope of taking his sixth consecutive victory after blowing up on the final climb.