Martigny - Col du Sanetsch   

The castle in Martigny is perched among an outcrop of rocks, nestled in the corner of the valley and among the vineyards. The backdrop can be even more jaw dropping on clear days, with the French alps looming above the old castle and the view of the German-Swiss alps in the distance, still snowy despite it being high summer. The alps are an essential part of the view for any tourist, but are hated by the cyclists that gather ...

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The castle in Martigny is perched among an outcrop of rocks, nestled in the corner of the valley and among the vineyards. The backdrop can be even more jaw dropping on clear days, with the French alps looming above the old castle and the view of the German-Swiss alps in the distance, still snowy despite it being high summer. The alps are an essential part of the view for any tourist, but are hated by the cyclists that gather yearly for another one day stage in region.
The race starts in the center of Martigny and the road immediately begins to climb. The initial climb is the 18 kilometer road up to the Champex-Lac. The initial three kilometers are very gentle before the serious climbing starts. The next 15 kilometers climb up 955 meters at an average of 7%. The gradient is consistent and in a wooded valley meaning even in hot weather there is early respite for the riders. The descent is relatively long but not particularly tricky, with only two hairpin bends. After 14 km, the climbing starts again the moment that the descent finishes. This climb is up to the Col du Lein. It is an ancient pass and the road is badly paved, and at gradients of 10% for most of the 13km climb, the peloton will drop some of the domestiques who have done a lot of the pacemaking in the early part of the race.
The descent is very tough and technical. It descends over 1,200m in 12 km and contains many hairpin corners and narrow roads. Any mistake could mean serious injury for there are no barriers, just a long drop down. This tough descent can be a launch pad for weaker climbers to attack and gain a few seconds before the final climb. However, a 7km flat road will normally pull back all of the escapees and close down the gap to the leading riders. This is the final respite before a 23 kilometer slog up to the Col du Sanetsch. The average gradient is 7.7% but in certain places the gradient reaches 14%. Many of the strong riders will stay in a group until the final few kilometers when they will start attacking one another. The breakaway may still succeed though if the favourite play games for too long and the gap is not closed down quickly enough. It is extremely tough and the winner will have to have very good legs on the day as it rises to 2,247m above sea level. The crowds will line the course all the way up to the summit of the Sanetsch.
The crowds will enjoy a day by the lake in the high mountains and the stunning Swiss Alps in the usually hot weather. The winner will also celebrate his victory in the high mountains. This could be the dawn of an incredible career but it could also be the setting of an incredible career that had experienced life in the higher divisions, as the sun sets over the incredible view.