Ax 3 Domaines

Ax 3 Domaines

The blue piste "Bonascre" at Ax 3 Domaines
Nearest city Ax-les-Thermes
Coordinates 42°42′03″N 1°48′50″E / 42.70083°N 1.81389°E / 42.70083; 1.81389Coordinates: 42°42′03″N 1°48′50″E / 42.70083°N 1.81389°E / 42.70083; 1.81389
Top elevation 2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Base elevation 1,400 m (4,600 ft)
Runs 17
Website www.ax-ski.com

Ax 3 Domaines is a winter sports resort situated in the commune of Ax-les-Thermes, departement of Ariège, in France. Since 2001, the climb to the ski station has been used as a stage finish in the Tour de France cycle race.

On 6 July 2013, the eighth stage of the Tour de France finished in the resort at an altitude of 1,375 m (4,511 ft).[1]

Details of the climb

The climb commences at Ax-les-Thermes from where the ascent is 7.8 km (4.8 mi) long gaining 670 m (2,198 ft) at an average gradient of 8.6%, although several sections exceed 10%.[2] The Tour de France finish varies from year to year; in 2013, the finish line was at 1,375 m (4,511 ft) although the "summit" of the climb was at 1,350 m (4,429 ft), 1.5 km (0.9 mi) before the stage finish.[3]

Tour de France

The climb has been used in five stages of the Tour de France cycle race with its first appearance coming in 2001, when it was referred to as "Ax-les-Thermes – Plateau de Bonascre".[4] In 2013, it was the finish of the eighth stage from Castres, when British rider, Chris Froome, dominated the climb to take the maillot jaune.[3]

Tour de France stage finishes

[4]

Year Stage Category Start of stage Distance (km) Stage winner Yellow jersey
2013 8 1 Castres 195  Chris Froome (GBR)  Chris Froome (GBR)
2010 14 1 Revel 184.5  Christophe Riblon (FRA)  Andy Schleck (LUX)
2005 14 1 Agde 220.5  Georg Totschnig (AUT)  Lance Armstrong (USA)
2003 13 1 Toulouse 197.5  Carlos Sastre (ESP)  Lance Armstrong (USA)
2001 12 1 Perpignan 166.5  Félix Cárdenas (COL)  François Simon (FRA)

References

  1. Glendenning, Barry (6 July 2013). "Tour de France 2013: stage eight". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  2. "Ax Bonascre - Ax-3-Domaines: Ax les Thermes". Climb by Bike. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Stage 8: Castres to Ax 3 Domaines Boom: Froome blows the race to pieces!". Tour de France. Amaury Sport Organisation. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Plateau de Bonascre ou Ax 3 Domaines dans le Tour de France" (in French). ledicodutour. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
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