Everybody was anxious to get an early start on Tuesday as it was our longest stage (140km, 87mi). The weather was gorgeous again and as we started with a gentle climb to Les Gets from Morzine there was no need for an extra layer of clothes. After some very fast descents into Cluses, we climbed the first category Col de la Colombiere. Since we were relatively early in the day the biker gangs had not woken up yet and the road was very quiet.

Next up was the Col des Aravis which rewarded us with a fantastic view of the Mont Blanc range from the top and on the way down.

It was getting pretty hot by now and we decided to stop for lunch to refuel and get out of the sun for a while. After lunch we still had the long grind up to Megeve to do followed by a fast sweeping descent into St. Gervais. On our way to Chamonix we had to power up a short but painful 17% stretch on the way to Servoz before we could sit down with a nice cold beer at our lovely hotel just outside of Chamonix with a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains.

Wednesday is a well deserved restday before two more tough stages around the Mont Blanc range into Switzerland and Italy.

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