timetables, routes, caravans, closed roads… All the information you need to know

After arriving on French soil on Tuesday and stopping in Savoie, the riders of the 2024 Tour de France are back on the road from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne this Wednesday. They are heading for Ain, with a planned arrival in Saint-Vulbas and several passages through Isère for a flat stage (177.4 km), promised to the sprinters.

This Wednesday, July 3, the sprinters will be celebrating during a 5th flat stage between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, in Savoie, and Saint-Vulbas, in Ain. Two small difficulties are worth noting: the côte du Cheval Blanc, in La Bridoire, and the côte de Lhuis. The big thighs of the peloton will then concentrate for the finale, along the Rhône.

After the first high mountain stage spent in the gruppetto, the group at the back of the race where the dropped riders, including the sprinters, regroup, the latter will be more at ease during this 5th stage on the roads of Savoie, Isère and Ain.

After a parade through the streets of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the peloton will head towards Chambéry, then turn towards Chartreuse to the commune of Les Echelles. It is then, through an almost straight route, that it will cross Aosta, Lhuis, before arriving at Saint-Vulbas.

Before the red flame and a massive sprint announced, there will be three key points on the course of this 5th stage. The côte du Cheval Blanc (1.5 kilometers at 4.3 %) serves as the first small climb, 73 kilometers from the finish, in the town of La Bridoire (Savoie). The intermediate sprint of the day takes place 54 kilometers from the finish, in the town of Aosta (Isère).

Finally, the second and last, the Lhuis coast (3 kilometers at 4.8 %), named after the village where it is located, in Ain.

The final does not present any particular difficulty for the sprinters’ teams. Note the presence of three roundabouts in the last three kilometers, at the moment when the tension will be at its peak. The last one, located at 1.4 kilometers, must launch the best trains in the last curve and the last straight line.

“The temporary exit from the Alps will be via Chambéry and the peloton will quickly visit La Bridoire, where the finish of the Junior Alpine Classic is regularly held. But it will not be the climbers who will feel concerned as they head for Saint-Vulbas. After the Côte de l’Huis, to be swallowed up 34 km from the finish, the wide roads on the programme are conducive to tight control of the escapees. The winner’s bouquet seems destined for a sprinter“, analyses Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France.

Here are some time indications for the passage of the runners:

• Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne: 1:30 p.m.;
• Montmélian: between 2:36 p.m. and 2:42 p.m.;
• Chambéry: between 2:55 p.m. and 3:02 p.m.;
• Col de Couze: between 3:15 p.m. and 3:25 p.m.;
• The Scales: between 3:25 p.m. and 3:35 p.m.;
• Côte du Cheval Blanc: between 3:43 p.m. and 3:56 p.m.;
• Aosta: between 4:07 p.m. and 4:22 p.m.;
• Côte de Lhuis: between 4:32 p.m. and 4:49 p.m.;
• Villebois: between 4:52 p.m. and 5:11 p.m.;
• Vertrieu: between 5:00 p.m. and 5:20 p.m.;
• Saint-Vulbas: between 5:16 p.m. and 5:37 p.m.

The advertising caravan is due to leave Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne at 11:30 a.m. It is due to arrive in Chambéry at 1:02 p.m., Les Échelles at 1:35 p.m., at the top of the Côte du Cheval Blanc at 1:56 p.m., Aosta at 2:15 p.m., at the top of the Côte de Lhuis at 2:49 p.m. and in Saint-Vulbas at 3:37 p.m.

Passing through Chambéry, there is no doubt that the helicopter images will highlight the castle of the Dukes of Savoy. Shortly after, the images will alternate between the Chartreuse regional park to the left of the peloton, and those of the Bauges massif, to the right of the riders. Before heading into the plain and following the Rhône at the end of the stage.

For this stage on the plain, the roads will be closed on D-Day, in the morning or from midday. The arrival town will see certain roads closed to traffic from Tuesday, July 2.

In Savoy

In a press release, the Savoie prefecture indicates the various measures which will come into force this Wednesday, July 3:

• From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Ravoire: RD906 and RD1006, there will be a closure from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in both directions of traffic;
• From La Ravoire to the Col de Couz (Saint-Jean-de-Couz): on the RD1006, there will be a road closure from noon to 4:30 p.m., in both directions of traffic (faubourg Montmélian, rue Jules Ferry, rue Pasteur, rue Plaisance, rue André Jacques, rue Michaud, place Caffe, avenue de Lyon);
• From the Col de Couz (Saint-Jean-de-Couz) to La Bridoire: on the RD1006 and the RD23, the road will be closed from noon to 4:30 p.m., in both directions;
• From La Bridoire to Saint-Genix-les-Village: the RD203, the RD921E, the RD921F, the RD36, the RD38, the RD35, the RD916A and the RD1516 will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in both directions.

In Isère

This department will be crossed over approximately 10 kilometers, in two sections. A press release from Itinisère informs of the closure of certain sectors from noon, this Wednesday, July 3:

• From Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers to Aosta: the RD1516 and the RD592 will be closed from 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. In this area, access to the Walibi Rhône-Alpes amusement park will be disrupted. A diversion route via Corbelin via the RD1516 and RD40 will be put in place;
• In the second section, the RD1075 will be closed between 1:15 p.m. and 6 p.m., between the Sault-Brénaz bridge (RD52N) and the Lagnieu bridge (RD1075). The latter will be closed from noon until 6 p.m. Itinisère invites users “wishing to go to Ain by the RD1075 to follow the route recommended by the RD1006, then the A43 motorway (toll section)“.

Furthermore, parking will be prohibited at the exit from the Aosta urban area (before Saint-Didier) on the RD592, then on the Sault-Brenaz bridge (RD52N), in the commune of Porcieu-Amblagnieu and before entering the Vertrieu urban area (RD1075).

In Ain

More than 50 kilometers of roads will be used in the department. In a press release, the departmental council relays the sectors that will be closed to traffic, this Wednesday, July 3:

• Between Brégnier-Cordon, Groslée Saint-Benoît and Lhuis: on the D992 and the D19, traffic will be closed from 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.;
• Between Lhuis, Briord and Montagnieu: on the D79, traffic will be prohibited from 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.;
• Between Serrières-de-Briord, Villebois and Sault-Brénaz: on the D19, traffic will be prohibited from 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.;
• In Sault-Brénaz: on the D122, traffic will be prohibited from 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.;
• Between Lagnieu and Saint-Vulbas: on the D20, traffic will be prohibited from noon to 8 p.m.;
• In Saint-Vulbas: the D77 will be closed from Tuesday July 2 (9 p.m.) until Wednesday July 3 (10 p.m.);
• In Saint-Vulbas: the D124 and the D62A will be closed from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.