Tour Auvergne Rhone Alpes 2026 – Stage 1

Vizille → Saint-Ismier | 146.2 km | mountain

Relentless climbing from the gun will sap legs early and could expose any GC hopefuls who arrive undercooked. A technical, demanding finish will reward pure climbers with sharp accelerations and could already open meaningful gaps in the overall standings.

The Route

From Vizille the road will rise almost from the flag drop, dragging steadily into the first big test on the Col de l'Arzelier. That early 8.5km ascent at 5.9%, coming after around 32km, will give the day a clear mountain character from the outset, a launchpad where the strongest climbers and punchy breakaway specialists will try to force a selection rather than a gentle warm‑up. A long, fast descent back towards the valley will then reset the race before a more saw‑toothed middle section around Grenoble, where the Col de Comboire (3.1km at 5.7%) and the Côte de Seyssins (2.6km at 6.1%) will sting the legs and keep any early move under pressure.

After that broken central phase, the route will tilt upwards again into the Chartreuse foothills and a real war of attrition will begin. The brutally steep Côte de Quaix-en-Chartreuse, averaging 10.2% over 2.4km, will provide a natural launchpad for attacks, before the Col de Vence (5.1km at 5.7%) extends the effort on more regular gradients. A short breather in the valley will be all the riders get before the long, demanding Côte de Rousset at 8.3km and 7.6% grinds away at what remains of the peloton. From its summit the stage will plunge down and then rise gently towards Saint-Ismier, where the run‑in will reward anyone who has both climbing legs and a bit of a kick. This profile will clearly favour pure climbers and breakaway artists, but if the GC teams decide to keep a tight grip, this finishing drag could also see the overall contenders sprinting for precious seconds.

Key Climbs:

• Col de l'Arzelier — 8.5km at 5.9%, km 32
• Col de Comboire — 3.1km at 5.7%, km 65
• Côte de Seyssins — 2.6km at 6.1%, km 71
• Côte de Quaix-en-Chartreuse — 2.4km at 10.2%, km 92
• Col de Vence — 5.1km at 5.7%, km 98
• Côte de Rousset — 8.3km at 7.6%, km 117

*29.3km from final summit to the finish.*

Weather

16°C | Sunny | 6 km/h NW

How It Might Unfold

The race will likely ignite on the Col de l’Arzelier, where pure climbers and breakaway specialists will try to force a strong move before the descent towards the Col de Comboire. GC teams will probably allow a sizeable group clear if it contains no major threats, but the climbs through the Col de Comboire, Côte de Seyssins and Côte de Quaix-en-Chartreuse will give them several chances to test rivals and thin the field. Domestiques for overall contenders will set a high tempo on these middle ascents, putting punchy all‑rounders and tired rouleurs under pressure well before the finale.

The real separation could come over the Col de Vence and, especially, on the Côte de Rousset, where GC leaders and top climbers might go on the offensive. A late attack over the top of the Côte de Rousset or on the run‑in to Saint-Ismier might allow a small group or lone rider to stay clear if cooperation behind falters. More controlled riding from the favourites could instead lead to a reduced uphill sprint from a select climbers’ group, with puncheurs hoping to survive and use their kick on the gentle rise to the line.

Contenders

Paul Seixas and Isaac Del Toro will start as the obvious GC yardsticks, the sort of punchy climbers who could use this first uphill test to stamp early authority. Joao Almeida will likely ride more by numbers, pacing his way into contention rather than gambling on long-range moves, while Tobias Halland Johannessen should relish a high-tempo, stop‑start finale if the favourites light it up.

From the more opportunistic camp, Matteo Jorgenson will return from injury with enough ambition to follow the very best if the stage turns selective, but he might also welcome a reduced-group sprint. Ben Healy, meanwhile, will be the archetypal danger from a strong break: if the big names hesitate behind, he could turn a long raid into both stage glory and an early GC buffer.

Predictions

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Paul Seixas

2. ⭐⭐⭐ Isaac Del Toro

3. ⭐⭐ Matteo Jorgenson

4. ⭐⭐ Joao Almeida

5. ⭐ Tobias Halland Johannessen

6. ⭐ Ben Healy

Predicted Winner

Paul Seixas