2.UWT
Stage 18 · MOUNTAIN
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Stage 18
Voiron → Orcières-Merlette
Stage 18 is 185km from Voiron climbing into the Hautes-Alpes to a summit finish at Orcières-Merlette. Multiple Alpine cols across the 185km route; Orcières summit at 1850m altitude. Major GC stage before the back-to-back Alpe d'Huez weekend.
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Watch this stage
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§ 01 — The Course
What the stage looks like
Stage 18 is 185km from Voiron climbing into the Hautes-Alpes to a summit finish at Orcières-Merlette. Multiple Alpine cols across the 185km route; Orcières summit at 1850m altitude. Major GC stage before the back-to-back Alpe d'Huez weekend.
§ 03 — Storylines
What to follow
- Hautes-Alpes summit: Orcières-Merlette ski station at 1850m — high-altitude finish.
- Pre-Alpe d'Huez weekend: standings after Stage 18 frame the final-weekend GC battle.
- Sustained Alpine climbing: multiple Cat-1 cols set up the summit selection.
§ 04 — Viewing Notes
When to tune in
Watch attacks from 8-10km out on Orcières. GC riders going on the offensive Wednesday before the Alpe's double-ascent weekend.