Tour de France 2025 Stage 4: Full Route, Climbs, and Race Preview

After a tense opening to this year’s Tour, the peloton faces its first true test on Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France. Held on Tuesday, July 8th, this 174.2-kilometre route from Amiens to Rouen promises to be anything but routine. While the opening days in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region may have seemed straightforward, the shifting winds, rolling terrain, and a finale packed with steep climbs are set to make Tour de France 2025 Stage 4 one of the most unpredictable stages of the opening week.

Starting at 13:15 CEST (7:15 am EST) with a short neutral zone before the official start at 13:35 CEST, the riders will initially head southwest through the windswept Picardy plains, hugging the coastline for much of the day. Though relatively flat for the opening half, tension will simmer beneath the surface as teams jostle for position, aware that crosswinds could split the bunch at any moment.

But it’s the final 50 kilometres where Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France comes alive. A sequence of five categorised climbs—each progressively sharper—will test the legs of the sprinters and lure puncheurs and opportunists into making bold moves. The day’s decisive ascent, the notorious Rampe Saint-Hilaire (0.8 km at 10.6%), crests just five kilometres before the finish in Rouen, followed by a twisting descent and a slight uphill drag to the line. It’s a finale perfectly designed for punchy climbers, late attackers, and perhaps a few daring general classification contenders.

For the sprinters, it’s a nervy opportunity. With few pure sprint chances in the back half of the race, many will be desperate to survive the climbs and contest the finish. But the terrain suggests fortune may favour the bold rather than the fast.

In short, Tour de France 2025 Stage 4 might look like a transitional day on paper, but it carries the potential to shake up the early standings and deliver the first truly selective finish of this year’s race.

What’s Special About Stage 4?

The Tour de France doesn’t just run on watts and water bottles — it thrives on surprises, and Stage 4 is the perfect little pocket of chaos hiding in plain sight. Sure, it’s no mountain epic, but ask any seasoned pro and they’ll tell you: these hilly, nervous, northern stages can break hearts and legs alike.

Here’s why this one’s got a little extra bite:

It’s the Tour’s 2nd hilly test of 2025. After a trio of flat and semi-technical days, the peloton hits the northern ridges of Normandy. It’s not the Alps, but it’s “death by a thousand cuts” — rolling climbs, twisting roads, and a string of bumps that’ll sap the legs.

A stage for the puncheurs and all-rounders. Riders like Alaphilippe, Pidcock, and Hirschi will be licking their chops. This is their bread and butter: short climbs, sketchy descents, and tactical punch-ups.

GC riders can’t afford to nap. On paper it won’t decide the yellow jersey — but one crosswind split, one bad positioning before a climb, and you’re chasing shadows. Lose a wheel here, and you might be on a milk carton by evening.

Amiens and Rouen deliver old-school Tour vibes. Historic towns, narrow medieval lanes, and countryside roads where breakaways dream big and sprinters pray for mercy.

Bonus time up for grabs. With 10, 6, and 4 seconds on the line for the top three, expect a late kick for both the win and a nibble at yellow.

Or as the locals might say: “C’est dans les vieux pots qu’on fait les meilleures soupes.” (The best soups are made in old pots — meaning the classics are often the most dangerous).

Stage 4 Route Map and Profile: Undulating Roads to Rouen

Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France charts a varied and tactical route from Amiens to Rouen, covering 174.2 kilometres through the northern French countryside. While it lacks the towering mountains of later stages, what this parcours offers is a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and a punishing final hour of racing that will severely test both the sprinters and general classification hopefuls.

The Route Profile in Numbers

Stage 4 Detailed Route Map and Profile

Departing from the heart of Amiens, the stage heads south through the open expanses of Picardy. The early kilometres are largely flat, but exposed to wind — a factor that could fracture the peloton early if conditions align. All the team Riders will pass through towns like Conty (km 13.6) and Gournay-en-Bray (km 63.6), where the battle for position will intensify ahead of the hills.

The Stage 4 detailed route map reveals a notable shift in character after Les Andelys (km 100.6). Here, the road begins to undulate more aggressively, wearing down the legs ahead of the day’s decisive climbs.

Key Route Features:

• Km 128.2 | Côte de Jacques Anquetil (3.6 km at 3.6%, Cat. 4): The first test of the day, likely to animate the breakaway group.
• Km 143.3 | Saint-Adrien Intermediate Sprint: A vital points opportunity before the climbs sharpen.
• Km 146.6 | Côte de Belbeuf (1.3 km at 9.1%, Cat. 3): A sharp, punishing ramp perfect for attacks.
• Km 154.4 | Côte de Bonsecours (0.9 km at 7.2%, Cat. 4): Short but steep, passing the iconic Jean Robic monument.
• Km 162.1 | Côte de la Grand’Mare (1.8 km at 5.0%, Cat. 4): Softens up the peloton ahead of the finale.
• Km 169.0 | Rampe Saint-Hilaire (0.8 km at 10.6%, Cat. 3): The decisive climb with brutal 13-15% ramps, cresting just 5.2 km before the finish.

After the summit of Rampe Saint-Hilaire, a twisting descent leads directly into Rouen, ending with a gentle uphill drag to the line — a finale likely to be decided by a small select group or a lone attacker.

Estimated Finish Times (CEST):

• 46 km/h: 17:22
• 44 km/h: 17:32
• 42 km/h: 17:44

Tour de France 2025 Stage 4 may lack a signature mountain pass, but its route profile and compact, climb-heavy finale ensure it will play a pivotal role in shaping the race’s early dynamics.

Key Climbs That Will Decide Stage 4

While the early kilometres of Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France roll along the gentle plains of Picardy, it’s the final 50 kilometres where the character of the stage changes dramatically. Five categorised climbs, each with their own quirks and tactical implications, are packed into a frenetic finale that will shape the day’s outcome.

Here’s a breakdown of the Stage 4 decisive climbs — their profiles, gradients, and what they’ll mean for the race.

Côte de Jacques Anquetil (Cat. 4)

• 📍 At km 128.2
• 📏 3.6 km at 3.6%
• 🏁 Category 4

The opening climb of the day is a steady, manageable ascent that will likely be claimed by a breakaway rider chasing KOM points. While not particularly selective, it serves as a prelude to what lies ahead and marks the beginning of a far more demanding final phase.

Tactical Role:
Expect the breakaway to thin here, and teams to start organising for position ahead of the intermediate sprint and tougher climbs.

Côte de Belbeuf (Cat. 3)

• 📍 At km 146.6
• 📏 1.3 km at 9.1%
• 🏁 Category 3

The first real sting in the tail. Short, sharp, and energy-sapping, this climb will provoke attacks from opportunists and test the legs of the sprinters desperately hanging on. Its proximity to the intermediate sprint just a few kilometres earlier adds to the tactical complexity.

Tactical Role:
Possible launchpad for late-stage attackers, or where GC teams move their climbers forward in anticipation of the final climbs.

Côte de Bonsecours (Cat. 4)

• 📍 At km 154.4
• 📏 0.9 km at 7.2%
• 🏁 Category 4

A short but punchy ascent, Bonsecours is historically significant, passing the Jean Robic monument — a nod to cycling folklore. Though brief, the climb’s gradient and positioning will further sap the legs and keep the peloton stretched.

Tactical Role:
Another spot for aggressive teams to test rivals, especially sprinters on the limit.

Côte de la Grand’Mare (Cat. 4)

• 📍 At km 162.1
• 📏 1.8 km at 5.0%
• 🏁 Category 4

A longer, more sustained climb compared to its predecessors, though at a manageable average gradient. However, with fatigue setting in, even these moderate ramps will feel unforgiving.

Tactical Role:
A launchpad for breakaways or late attackers, with teams jockeying for crucial position ahead of the decisive Rampe Saint-Hilaire.

Rampe Saint-Hilaire (Cat. 3)

• 📍 At km 169.0
• 📏 0.8 km at 10.6% (max 13-15%)
• 🏁 Category 3

The undisputed queen of Stage 4’s climbs. Though less than a kilometre in length, its savage gradient — averaging 10.6% and spiking up to 13-15% — will split the peloton to pieces. Cresting just 5.2 kilometres from the finish line, it’s perfectly positioned to decide the day’s outcome.

Tactical Role:
Expect a flurry of decisive attacks here. Punchy climbers and GC hopefuls could exploit the gradients to open gaps. Sprinters clinging on will struggle, and this climb may be the launchpad for a solo victory or a small select group contesting the finish.

Final 5 Kilometres

After cresting Rampe Saint-Hilaire, the road dives into a twisting descent before a gentle uphill drag into Rouen. The technical run-in, combined with battered legs, sets the stage for last-minute moves and tactical gambles.

Tour de France 2025 Stage 4 isn’t about long mountain slogs — it’s about short, sharp bursts of power and positioning. These five climbs, particularly Côte de Belbeuf and Rampe Saint-Hilaire, will define the day and likely deliver one of the Tour’s first truly dramatic finishes.

📊 Tour de France 2025 — Stage 4 Climb Statistics

Gradient breakdown (entire parcours):

• 51.2% descending (55.2 mi)
• 42.9% at 0–5% grade (46.2 mi)
• 5.3% at 5–10% grade (5.7 mi)
• 0.6% at 10–15% grade (0.7 mi)

🏁 Key Points

• Intermediate Sprint:
  📍 Saint-Adrien (km 143.3) — comes just before the decisive climbs.
• Final 40 km:
  A relentless, undulating run-in:
  • Côte de Bonsecours → Côte de la Grand’Mare → Rampe Saint-Hillaire
  • Expect attacks from puncheurs and opportunistic GC riders.
  • 5 km from the summit of Rampe Saint-Hillaire to the finish with a twisting, punchy drag into Rouen.

⚠️ Tactical Outlook

• Breakaway potential:
  First real breakaway day of the Tour with windswept Picardy plains and rolling terrain.
• Sprinter strategy:
  Sprinters’ teams will try to control early, but the repeated climbs may thin the group, especially for heavier pure sprinters.
• GC implications:
  Not a decisive GC day, but a well-timed attack on the Rampe Saint-Hillaire (15% ramps) could cause splits and win valuable seconds.
• Finale:
  A technical 5 km descent and uphill drag to Rouen — tailor-made for a daring move or late punchy attack.

Rouen’s Scenic and Historic Highlights Along the Route

Rouen isn’t some newbie in Tour de France lore. Nope — it’s a seasoned host town, with tales as rich as its half-timbered medieval streets. Here’s why this finish is more than just another dot on the map:

Past Grand Départ / Stage Finishes

Jean Robic Monument

A poignant point for cycling fans comes on the Côte de Bonsecours climb, where riders pass the Jean Robic monument. Robic, the 1947 Tour de France winner, was a fierce climber known for his tenacity and tactical cunning. His victory in the first post-war Tour remains one of the race’s most legendary upsets.

Positioned just before the top of this category 4 climb, the monument serves as a tribute to France’s cycling heritage — and will no doubt be a point of motivation for French riders in the breakaway.

Key Towns and Regions Passed

• Amiens — The stage starts in this charming city known for its impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest in France, and as the hometown of writer Jules Verne. It’s also a regular stop in Tour history.
• Conty and Gournay-en-Bray — Typical Picardy towns marked by rolling farmland, ancient churches, and small cobbled streets. Watch for potential crosswind action in these open stretches.
• Les Andelys — One of the most visually stunning towns along the route, set against the backdrop of the Seine river and dominated by the ruins of Château Gaillard, a medieval fortress built by Richard the Lionheart.
• Rouen — The stage finishes in Rouen, capital of Normandy, famous for its half-timbered houses, the Gros Horloge clock tower, and the square where Joan of Arc was executed. A city with deep ties to both French history and the Tour, having hosted multiple stage finishes in the race’s long history.

Final Descent and Approach

After cresting the Rampe Saint-Hilaire, the riders will race down a twisting, technical 5km descent into Rouen’s historic centre — a setting made for daring attacks and desperate chases.

Between the history, the scenic Seine Valley, and the high-stakes racing, Stage 4 isn’t just one for the puncheurs — it’s one for the romantics too.

Rouen: A Cycling City

Not just a Tour town — Rouen lives and breathes two wheels:

🗣️ Locals in Action:

“Il a roulé des mécaniques.”
Literal: He rolled his mechanics.
Meaning: He showed off big time.

Expect a few GC hopefuls to roll their mécaniques on that Côte de la Haye climb, trying to flex some early form.

Bonus Vibe:

Stage 4 Timings and Predictions

The fourth stage of the 2025 Tour de France covers 174.2 kilometres from Amiens to Rouen, with a parcours that grows increasingly tense in the final third. The combination of undulating terrain, sharp climbs, and tactical opportunities makes timing critical — both for the riders and the fans watching along.

Here’s a look at the estimated timings for the day’s key moments and some sharp predictions on how this stage is likely to unfold.

Stage 4 Timings – Tour de France 2025 (CEST / EST)

Stage 4 Predictions

This stage has breakaway potential written all over it — but not without resistance. Here’s how it could unfold:

• Early Phase (km 0-100):
  A small breakaway is likely to go clear after the official start, with some KOM hopefuls and wildcard teams. The peloton will allow them a modest gap, but sprinters’ teams and GC squads will keep things under control.
• Middle Phase (100-140km):
  The bunch should remain intact, with teams eyeing the intermediate sprint at Saint-Adrien (km 143.3). Expect the sprinters’ teams to up the pace leading into this point, potentially bringing the break’s lead down.
• Final 30km (Key Climbs):
  This is where the race ignites:
  • Côte de Belbeuf and Bonsecours will soften up the peloton.
  • Côte de la Grand’Mare might tempt a few early moves.
  • Rampe Saint-Hilaire is the key flashpoint. Punchy climbers like Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel, or Tadej Pogačar could attack here, with only a small group able to follow.
• Run-in to Rouen (last 5km):
  If a select group crests Saint-Hilaire with a small gap, expect them to contest the win. If it comes back together, strong finishers like Wout van Aert or Michael Matthews could still have a say.

Who Are the Stage 4 Favourites?

Top Picks:

• Tadej Pogačar — Can attack on the steep gradients and sprint from a small group.
• Mathieu van der Poel — Perfect terrain for his explosive style.
• Tom Pidcock — Loves short, punchy climbs and technical finishes.

Outsiders:

• Magnus Cort Nielsen — If he makes it over Saint-Hilaire near the front.
• Ben Healy — Might gamble from a breakaway or on the final climb.

A late-stage thriller where puncheurs will dictate terms. Expect a select group finish or a solo move on Rampe Saint-Hilaire. Either way — fireworks in Rouen.

Weather and Wind: A Tactical Game on the Picardy Plains

While the climbs in the final 50 kilometres will decide the day’s winner, the first half of Stage 4 crosses the open, windswept plains of Picardy — and this is where savvy teams can shape the day’s narrative before the climbs even begin.

Expected Wind Direction and Weather

Forecasts call for moderate westerly winds (15–20 km/h) across much of the route, with potential gusts closer to 25 km/h on exposed sections between Amiens and Gournay-en-Bray. The day will be mild and dry, with temperatures hovering between 19°C and 23°C, and no rain expected.

This means conditions are primed for high-speed racing — and for tactical moves in the crosswinds.

How Teams Might Exploit It

The long, straight stretches across open farmland in the first 100km are classic echelon territory. If a strong team like Visma-Lease a Bike or UAE Team Emirates decides to split the bunch early, weaker teams and isolated sprinters could quickly find themselves chasing.

Expect teams with multiple GC contenders or protected riders — like INEOS Grenadiers or Lidl-Trek — to stay vigilant near the front in case the race shatters.

The pressure will ramp up around Les Andelys (km 100.6), as teams position ahead of the technical final climbs.

Possibility of Echelons

The risk of echelons is very real on Stage 4. While the wind strength alone may not be devastating, it’s the direction — a cross-tailwind in several sectors — that makes this stage tactically volatile. A committed move from a well-organised squad could see the peloton split before the climbs.

Even if no major GC gaps emerge, energy spent chasing back on could take a toll by the time riders hit the brutal Rampe Saint-Hilaire.

This is one of those Tour stages where “nothing happens — until it does.”

Conclusion: A Classic First-Week Test

Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France is anything but routine. With its blend of rolling Picardy plains, wind-prone open roads, and a punchy final 50km stacked with climbs, it promises to be a thrilling showdown between puncheurs, GC hopefuls, and opportunists.

The late-race fireworks on the Rampe Saint-Hilaire and the twisting descent into Rouen’s historic centre make this a must-watch stage, where strategy, legs, and bravery will decide the victor.