Tour de France Femmes 2025 Stage 8 — The Queen Stage Reaches Its Throne
Saturday, August 2 | Chambéry → Col de la Madeleine | 111.9 km | Mountain
A Savage Alpine Showdown to Crown the Strongest
The final curtains of the Tour de France Femmes 2025 doesn’t fall quietly—it roars. Stage 8 is the Queen Stage, the brutal Alpine packing 3,600 meters of vertical gain into just 111.9 kilometers, with a summit finish atop the legendary Col de la Madeleine. The yellow jersey is far from secure, and this stage will decide who stands tallest at the end of a ferocious week of racing.
🔑 Stage 8 Quick Profile Snapshot
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Date | Saturday, August 2, 2025 |
Stage Type | Mountain |
Start – Finish | Chambéry → Saint François Longchamp – Col de la Madeleine |
Distance | 111.9 km |
Elevation Gain | ~3,600m |
Main Climbs | Col de Plainpalais, Col du Frêne, Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières, Col de la Madeleine |
Start Time (CEST) | Neutralised: 13:45 |
Finish Time (CEST) | Expected: ~17:15 |
Stage # | 8 of 9 |
🗺️ Stage 8 Route Breakdown
The riders waste no time—the climbing begins straight from the gun. After leaving Chambéry, the peloton immediately tackles the Col de Plainpalais (13.2 km @ 6.3%), an early test that will soften the legs for what’s to come. The terrain rolls aggressively through the Bauges, featuring the Col du Frêne (2.4 km @ 5.5%), and continues to rise and fall all the way to Châteauneuf, where an intermediate sprint may shake things up.
After a short valley section, the road tilts upward again on the Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières (4.8 km @ 5.9%), before the riders enter the calm before the storm.
The final climb—the infamous Col de la Madeleine (18.6 km @ 8.1%)—is a high-mountain monster. With brutal gradients in km 4 (9%), km 5 (10%), and km 9 (9.5%), it’s a battleground for pure climbers and GC hopefuls.
Key Climbs of the Stage 8
Climb | Length | Avg. Gradient | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Col de Plainpalais | 13.2 km | 6.3% | Cat 1 | Early leg-sapper |
Col du Frêne | 2.4 km | 5.5% | Cat 3 | Minor obstacle before valleys |
Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières | 4.8 km | 5.9% | Cat 2 | Punchy lead-in to final showdown |
Col de la Madeleine | 18.6 km | 8.1% | HC (Hors Catégorie) | Final summit finish; a GC decider |
🕒 Timing Table: Passage Schedule by Sector
Location | KM to Go | Arrival (Avg. 34km/h) | Arrival (32km/h) | Arrival (30km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Start – Chambéry | 111.9 | 13:45 | 13:45 | 13:45 |
Col de Plainpalais (1175 m) | 98.6 | 14:40 | 14:44 | 14:44 |
Châteauneuf (Intermediate Sprint) | 55.2 | 15:28 | 15:35 | 15:37 |
Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières | 38.0 | 15:55 | 16:03 | 16:07 |
Saint-François Longchamp (Last km) | 5.1 | 17:00 | 17:13 | 17:24 |
Finish – Col de la Madeleine (2000m) | 0 | 17:15 | 17:30 | 17:43 |
Watch stage 8 results & live updates.
🟩 Intermediate Sprint: Châteauneuf
A rare moment of flat respite offers a chance for sprinters—or GC riders hunting bonus seconds—to grab points and time bonuses in Châteauneuf. Expect action from breakaway specialists or opportunists.
- 🟢 Green jersey points: 25 – 20 – 17 – down to 2 pts (15 places)
- ⏱️ Time bonuses: 10″ – 6″ – 4″
🎯 Stage 8 Favorites
With its Alpine brutality and summit finish, Stage 8 suits the strongest climbers and GC leaders:
- Demi Vollering – The defending champ and queen of the high mountains.
- Katarzyna Niewiadoma – Proven in stage races, thrives on steep gradients.
- Juliette Labous – French hope with local knowledge and climbing form.
- Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig – Tenacious, explosive rider perfect for a mountain slugfest.
🏁 Final GC Shakeup: The Maillot Jaune on the Line
After seven punishing stages, everything points to Stage 8 as the make-or-break day for the general classification. The Col de la Madeleine will blow the race wide open, and gaps of minutes—not seconds—can emerge on its relentless slopes.
Expect tactical moves, team sacrifices, and solo epics from contenders who want to etch their name into Tour de France Femmes history.
🎙️ Expert Insight: Marion Rousse on Stage 8
“There’ll be no respite on what’s the queen stage of the 2025 edition. The Madeleine climb will provide plenty of opportunities to create gaps.”
Indeed, the Madeleine’s raw length and harsh surface will separate podium hopefuls from those barely hanging on.
🥇 Points, Jerseys & Bonuses
Location | Category | Points / Bonus |
|---|---|---|
Col de Plainpalais | Cat 1 | 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 |
Côte de Saint-Georges | Cat 3 | 5, 3, 2, 1 |
Col de la Madeleine (Finish) | HC (Hors Catégorie) | 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 |
Châteauneuf (Sprint) | Intermediate Sprint | 25, 20, 17, … down to 1 pt |
Time Bonuses | Finish Line | 10s, 6s, 4s |
📊 The Queen Stage That Rules All
Stage 8—it’s the crowning battle of Tour de France Femmes 2025. From the first ramp to the last hairpin on the Madeleine, it demands endurance, strategy, and courage. Whoever conquers this stage likely wears yellow into Paris. It’s not just a race up a mountain—it’s a race into legend.
