Tour de France Stage 6 - Bayeux to Vire Normandie
STAGE 6 BREAKAWAY ALERT
This is THE stage for breakaway specialists! 6 categorized climbs through "Norman Switzerland" with brutal 10% finish!
Stage 6 At A Glance
Difficulty: 4/5 stars | Distance: 201.5km through Norman Switzerland | GC Impact: Low
Key Moment: Final 700m at 10% gradient | Expected Winner: Breakaway specialist with explosive kick
Start Time: 12:35 CEST | Elevation: 3,500m climbing | Breakaway Chance: 95%
Stage 6 Quick Facts
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025 | Distance: 201.5 km | Type: Hilly breakaway stage | Start: 12:35 CEST
Stage 6 is a brutal hilly stage through "Norman Switzerland" with constant elevation changes and 6 categorized climbs. The route goes either up or down throughout the entire day, wearing riders out in a war of attrition before the decisive 700m finish at 10% gradient.
Stage 6 Elevation Profile
Source: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)
Hilly Stage Characteristics
Elevation Gain: 3,500m (massive)
Terrain: "Norman Switzerland"
Breakaway Probability: 95%
Breakaway Power Requirements
- Sustained Power: 320-380W base power for breakaway riders
- Climbing Power: 5.8-6.5 W/kg on categorized ascents
- Final Climb Power: 6.5-7.2 W/kg for 700m at 10%
- Attack Power: 7-8 W/kg for 30-60 seconds on finish
- Energy Systems: 65% aerobic, 35% anaerobic due to variable intensity
Stage 6 Tactical Analysis
Early Phase (0-100km): Immediate attacks expected from KOM hunters and stage specialists
Middle Phase (100-180km): Constant up and down through Norman hills wears down breakaway
Final Phase (180-201.5km): Last climb selection then tactical battle for 10% finish ramp
Key Factor: Ability to handle repeated climbs AND sprint from small group after 200km
Test your climbing readiness with our lactate threshold test and power endurance assessment.
Historical Context
Norman Switzerland: Rugged terrain in heart of Normandy known for constant elevation changes
Bayeux History: Home of famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting Norman Conquest of 1066
Vire Normandie: Features historic Porte Horloge gate dating from 1200s
Tour Significance: Classic hilly stage design favoring pure breakaway specialists
Stage 6 Route Map
Source: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)
Route Highlights
- Start: Bayeux at 12:35 CEST - historic Norman town
- First Climb: Côte de Mont Pinçon at km 35.5
- Mid-Stage Climbs: Côte de la Rançonnière at km 56
- Late Climbs: Côte de Mortain and Juvigny-le-Tertre
- Final Setup: Côte de Vaudry at km 197.1 (4km from finish)
- Finish: Vire Normandie - 700m ramp at 10% gradient
Norman Switzerland Analysis
- Terrain Character: Constant up and down - never flat sections
- Road Conditions: Narrow country roads through bocage landscape
- Technical Difficulty: High - numerous turns, elevation changes
- Weather Factor: Exposed hilltops vulnerable to Channel winds
- Breakaway Factor: Perfect terrain for small group to gain 10-15 minutes
Cultural Points of Interest
Bayeux Tapestry: 1000-year-old embroidered narrative of Norman Conquest
D-Day Beaches: Route passes near historic WWII landing sites
Norman Architecture: Traditional half-timbered houses throughout route
Local Specialties: Calvados apple brandy and Norman cheeses
Stage 6 Time Schedule
| Time (CEST) | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:35 | Team Buses Arrive | Bayeux |
| 11:35 | Rider Sign-in | Start Village |
| 12:35 | STAGE START | Bayeux |
| 13:30 | Breakaway Formation | ~30km mark |
| 14:15 | Mont Pinçon Summit | Km 35.5 |
| 16:00 | TV Coverage Begins | Final 50km |
| 16:45 | Final Climb (Côte de Vaudry) | Km 197.1 |
| 17:14 | ESTIMATED FINISH | Vire Normandie |
How to Watch Stage 6
- TV Coverage: Live from 16:00 CEST for final 50km
- Key Viewing: 16:45-17:14 CEST for climactic finale
- Breakaway Battle: Expect 8-12 riders fighting for stage win
- Live Timing: Real-time gaps and KOM points available
- Highlights: Extended coverage 1 hour after finish
Breakaway Timeline Prediction
- 12:35: Race start - immediate attacks from KOM hunters
- 13:20: Breakaway established (8-12 riders, 2-3 minutes gap)
- 14:30: Maximum gap reached (12-18 minutes) as peloton settles
- 16:30: Gap management begins as peloton increases pace
- 16:45: Final climb selection - breakaway reduced to 3-5 strongest
- 17:10: Last 4km - tactical phase begins, cooperation ends
- 17:14: Winner emerges from final 700m ramp (95% breakaway probability)
Expected Winning Time
Estimated Winning Time: 4h39m-4h44m (averaging 43-44 km/h)
Peloton Gap: 8-15 minutes behind breakaway winner
Climb Factor: 3,500m elevation gain significantly impacts average speed
Stage 6 Climbs & Hills
Understanding Climb Classifications
Stage 6 features 6 categorized climbs perfect for understanding how the Tour's classification system works:
Beyond category
8%+ for 10km+
Difficult
6-8% for 8-15km
Moderate
4-6% for 5-10km
Hills
3-5% for 2-8km
Small hills
2-4% for 1-5km
KOM Points: HC=20pts, Cat1=10pts, Cat2=5pts, Cat3=2pts, Cat4=1pt
Stage 6 KOM Opportunities: 13 points available - ideal for breakaway riders hunting the polka dot jersey!
Côte de Mont Pinçon - Category 3
Category 3Strategic Position: Km 35.5 - first major selection point for breakaway formation
Côte de la Rançonnière - Category 3
Category 3Position: Km 56 | Length: ~3 km | Gradient: 4-5%
Mid-stage climb that starts to wear down the breakaway group.
Côte de Mortain Cote 314 - Category 3
Category 3Position: Km 138 | Significance: Sets up the final tactical phase
Late-stage climb where breakaway cooperation may start to break down.
Côte de Juvigny-le-Tertre - Category 3
Category 3Position: Km 154.5 | Impact: Penultimate categorized climb
Last chance for KOM points before the uncategorized but decisive finish.
Côte de Vaudry - Category 4
Category 4Strategic Importance: Final launchpad for attacks before brutal finish ramp
FINISH CLIMB - 700m at 10%
DECISIVEPower Requirements: 6.5-7.2 W/kg for 3-4 minutes | 450W+ for climbers
Hill Grades & Gradients Guide
Understanding gradient percentages helps predict how climbs will affect the race:
False flat
Gentle
Moderate
Steep
Very steep
Stage 6 Max Gradient: 12% on finish ramp - classified as very steep climbing
Power Requirement: Riders need 6.5-7.2 W/kg to stay with leaders on final 700m at 10%
Stage 6 Breakaway Stakes
High-Stakes Breakaway Battle
Victory Probability: 95% breakaway stage - GC riders will cruise in peloton
- Yellow Jersey: Very low impact - expect comfortable peloton ride for GC leaders
- Stage Win: Perfect opportunity for breakaway specialists and stage hunters
- Time Gaps: 8-15 minutes expected between breakaway winner and peloton
King of the Mountains Battle
KOM Points Available: 13 points across 6 climbs
Strategic Value: Early season KOM jersey battle heating up
Key Climbs: Mont Pinçon (2pts) and 4 other Cat 3 climbs (2pts each)
Stage Victory Predictions
Most Likely Winner Profile (70% probability)
Breakaway Specialist: Rider with 6.0+ W/kg climbing who can sprint from small group
Key Attributes: Excellent on repeated climbs + explosive kick on 10% ramps
Power Profile: 380W sustained + 7.0 W/kg on decisive final 700m
Top Breakaway Contenders
Wout van Aert
Power: 6.2+ W/kg climbing
Strength: Explosive on steep finishes
Probability: 25% stage win
Guillaume Martin
Power: 6.0+ W/kg sustained
Strength: Breakaway specialist
Probability: 20% stage win
Stephen Williams
Power: 6.1+ W/kg climbing
Strength: Punchy finish specialist
Probability: 15% stage win
Alternative Scenarios
- Late Solo Attack (20%): Puncheur escapes on Côte de Vaudry, holds 4km to finish
- Small Group Sprint (65%): 3-5 riders contest final 700m ramp
- Surprise Winner (15%): Underdog from large breakaway group
Tour de France Hill Climbing Specialists
Understanding the Tour's best climbers helps predict who might feature in breakaways on hilly stages like Stage 6:
Elite Climbers (GC)
- Tadej Pogačar: 6.8+ W/kg (unlikely in break)
- Jonas Vingegaard: 6.6+ W/kg (peloton control)
- Remco Evenepoel: 6.4+ W/kg (team tactics)
Breakaway Climbers
- Sepp Kuss: 6.2+ W/kg
- Guillaume Martin: 6.0+ W/kg
- David Gaudu: 5.9+ W/kg
Punchy Specialists
- Wout van Aert: Explosive + sprint
- Mathieu van der Poel: Punchy power
- Julian Alaphilippe: Short climb expert
Stage 6 Prediction: Expect breakaway climbers and punchy specialists to dominate - perfect terrain for riders with 6.0-6.5 W/kg climbing power.
Fantasy Cycling Strategy
- Captain Pick: Wout van Aert - explosive power perfect for 10% finish
- Value Pick: Guillaume Martin - breakaway specialist at good odds
- Safe Option: Stephen Williams - punchy climber with sprint finish
- Differential: Kevin Vauquelin - local favorite from Bayeux
- Avoid: Pure sprinters and heavy GC domestiques
Budget Strategy: Load up on breakaway specialists - this stage strongly favors climbing and punchy power
Hilly Stage Sports Science Analysis
Stage 6 Physiological Demands
- VO2 Max: 75-82 ml/kg/min for successful breakaway riders
- Body Weight: 62-68kg optimal for repeated climbing
- Muscle Fiber: Balanced Type I and Type II for varied demands
- Lactate Tolerance: High buffering capacity for 6 repeated climbs
- Recovery: Rapid lactate clearance between climbs essential
Train Like the Pros
To excel on hilly stages like Stage 6, focus on these key training elements:
- Repeated Climbs: 6x8min at 5.8-6.2 W/kg with 4min recovery
- Punchy Intervals: 10x2min all-out efforts simulating breakaway attacks
- Endurance Base: 5-7 hour rides with constant elevation changes
- Finish Simulation: 3-4x3min at 6.5+ W/kg simulating 10% ramps
- Variable Power: Practice surging and recovering repeatedly
Test your progress with our lactate threshold test and power endurance assessment.
Hilly Stage Nutrition Strategy
Variable Intensity Fueling
- Carbohydrate Intake: 80-100g per hour (higher for breakaway efforts)
- Fluid Intake: 800-1000ml per hour due to increased duration
- Electrolyte Focus: Sodium replacement crucial for 4h40m+ effort
- Pre-Climb Energy: Gels 15 minutes before each major climb
- Recovery Between: Mixed carbs during valley sections
Breakaway-Specific Nutrition
- Extra Calories: Breakaway riders need +300-400 calories/hour
- Strategic Caffeine: 200mg dose 60 minutes before final climb
- Hydration Priority: Increased needs due to longer time exposed
- Final Hour: Only easily digestible carbs for finish power
Learn more about endurance nutrition and hydration for cycling.
Similar Hilly Stages
If you enjoyed this hilly stage analysis, check out these other breakaway stages in the 2025 Tour:
- Stage 4: Amiens to Rouen - 5 categorized climbs in finale
- Stage 7: Saint-Malo to Mûr-de-Bretagne - classic Breton puncheur finish
- Stage 20: Nantua to Pontarlier - final breakaway opportunity
Breakaway Strategy: These hilly stages often provide the most exciting racing as pure stage hunters battle for glory!
Historic Breakaway Performances
- 2022: Wout van Aert's solo attack to Calais on similar terrain
- 2012: Peter Sagan's uphill sprint victory in Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 2019: Julian Alaphilippe's explosive attacks on hilly stages
- 2021: Matej Mohorič's descending masterclass on breakaway stage
Related Pages
- Tour de France 2025 Complete Guide - All stages and analysis
- Tour de France Winners List - Historical champions
- Lactate Threshold Test - Climbing power assessment
- Power Endurance Test - Sustained power measurement
- Endurance Nutrition - Fueling for long stages
- Hill Climbing Training - Build climbing power
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.