Tour de France Femmes 2025 Stage 6 Preview: Mountain Battles Begin in the Massif Central
Stage 6 — Thursday, July 31, 2025
Clermont-Ferrand → Ambert | 123.7 km | Mountain Stage
The 2025 Tour de France Femmes reaches a turning point on Stage 6 with a punchy mountain showdown in the heart of the Massif Central. With three major climbs packed into the final 44 kilometers, this is a day tailor-made for pure climbers, breakaway queens, and GC contenders unafraid to go on the offensive.
Let’s dive into what promises to be a stage of shakeups, leg-burners, and full-gas descents.
🔑 Quick Stage 6 Profile Snapshot
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Date | Thursday, July 31, 2025 |
Stage Type | Mountain |
Route | Clermont-Ferrand → Ambert |
Distance | 123.7 km |
Elevation Gain | ~2,500 m |
Main Climbs | Col du Béal, Col du Chansert, Côte de Valcivières |
Expected Start Time | 14:00 (CEST) |
Estimated Finish Time | 17:33 (CEST) |
Stage Number | 6 of 9 |
🗺️ The Route – Three Climbs, One Downhill Finale
This stage is compact but deceptively brutal. The peloton will depart from Clermont-Ferrand, rolling into the volcanic hills of Auvergne before hitting a trio of climbs that could shatter the GC standings.
Climbing Sequence Highlights:
- Côte de Courpière – 2.4 km @ 5.8%
- Côte d’Augerolles – 3 km @ 5.1%
- Col du Béal – 10.2 km @ 5.6%
- Col du Chansert – 6.3 km @ 5.5%
- Côte de Valcivières – 4.5 km @ 5.3%
The final summit, Valcivières, crests just 12 km from the finish — and it’s followed by a high-speed descent into Ambert that could decide the winner.
This is one of those stages where GC riders may not win the Tour… but they could certainly lose it.
Key Climbs Profile Table
Climb | Category | Length | Avg Gradient |
|---|---|---|---|
Côte de Courpière | Cat. 4 | 2.4 km | 5.8% |
Côte d’Augerolles | Cat. 4 | 3.0 km | 5.1% |
Col du Béal | Cat. 1 | 10.2 km | 5.6% |
Col du Chansert | Cat. 2 | 6.3 km | 5.5% |
Côte de Valcivières | Cat. 3 | 4.5 km | 5.3% |
⏱️ Timing & Schedule
Key Location | Distance to Go | Earliest ETA | Latest ETA |
|---|---|---|---|
Col du Béal Summit | 44.5 km | 16:26 | 16:40 |
Col du Chansert Summit | 29 km | 16:52 | 17:10 |
Valcivières Summit | 12.1 km | 17:13 | 17:32 |
Finish in Ambert | 0 km | 17:33 | 17:55 |
Note: Expect aggressive racing from the 40 km to go mark. Gaps will open quickly — especially on Col du Béal and Col du Chansert.
🎯 What’s on Offer – Points, Bonuses & Classifications
Mountain Points Breakdown
Climb | 1st Place | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Côte de Courpière | 3 pts | 2 pts | 1 pt | – |
Côte d’Augerolles | 3 pts | 2 pts | 1 pt | – |
Col du Béal | 10 pts | 8 pts | 6 pts | 4 / 2 / 1 pts |
Col du Chansert | 5 pts | 3 pts | 2 pts | 1 pt |
Valcivières | 6″ Bonus | 4″ | 2″ | (Time Bonus) |
Finish Line Bonuses
Position | Bonus Time |
|---|---|
1st | 10 seconds |
2nd | 6 seconds |
3rd | 4 seconds |
Green Jersey Points (Finish)
Position | Points |
|---|---|
1st–15th | 20 → 1 pt scale |
Tactical Take – Who Does This Suit?
GC Riders & Climbers
Expect to see Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering, and Juliette Labous close to the front. Vollering’s climbing edge makes her the favorite to attack on the Béal or Chansert. Kopecky might aim to hang on, limit losses, and keep the yellow dream alive.
Breakaway Specialists
If a group gets clear before the Col du Béal, this could be the best breakaway stage of the Tour. Climbers like Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Elise Chabbey, or even Evita Muzic could launch a raid.
A late descent finish after three climbs? It’s perfect chaos for breakaway queens.
🔮 Our Prediction
We’re backing Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM) to take this one. Her engine is built for sustained climbing, she has nothing to lose, and her descending is top-tier.
But don’t rule out Vollering launching a late ambush if she smells blood.
📺 How to Watch Stage 6
Country | Broadcaster | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
France | 14:00 CEST | |
UK | 13:00 BST | |
USA | 08:00 ET | |
Canada | 08:30 ET | |
Australia | 22:00 AEST |
You can watch stage 6 live updates through our live feed!
🏁 Final Word
Stage 6 is the first real mountain test of the Tour de France Femmes 2025 — and it comes with everything: a stacked climbing finale, unpredictable descents, and GC implications. If you’re a fan of drama, attacks, and riders on the absolute limit, this is your stage.
