Tour de France 2013 Stage 14 is a hilly stage between Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule and Lyon. There will be five category 4 and two category 3 climbs over the 191 km route. The sprinter who can survive over them hills will have the best chance to win.

Tour de France 2013 Stage 14 quick info

  • DATE July 13, 2013, Saturday
  • STAGE TYPE Hilly
  • START-FINISH Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule (240 m) > Lyon (164 m)
  • LENGTH OF THE COURSE 191.0 km
  • DIFFICULTY
Tour de France 2013 Stage 14 fly-through: Global Cycling Network’s (GCN) preview of Stage 14 of the 2013 Tour de France gives a detailed fly through of the 191 km route from Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule to Lyon on the 13th July.

Tour de France 2013 Stage 14 profile

Tour de France 2013 stage 14 profile
Tour de France 2013 stage 14 profile

Mountain passes & hills

  1. km. 66.5 Côte de Marcigny, 1.9 kilometer-long climb at 4.9% category 4
  2. km. 98.5 Côte de la Croix Couverte, 2.6 kilometer-long climb at 5.3% category 4
  3. km. 113.0 Côte de Thizy-les-Bourgs, 1.7 kilometer-long climb at 8.2% category 3
  4. km. 126.5 Col du Pilon (727 m), 6.3 kilometer-long climb at 4.4% category 3
  5. km. 161.0 Côte de Lozanne, 2.5 kilometer-long climb at 4% category 4
  6. km. 176.0 Côte de la Duchère, 1.6 kilometer-long climb at 4.1% category 4
  7. km. 181.5 Côte de la Croix Rousse, 1.8 kilometer-long climb at 4.5% category 4

Intermediate Sprint

Tour de France 2013 stage 14 intermediate sprint
Tour de France 2013 stage 14 intermediate sprint @km 109.5, Thizy-Les-Bourgs

Last kilometers

Tour de France 2013 stage 14 last kms
Tour de France 2013 stage 14 last 5 kilometers

Start: Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule

Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule
Tour de France 2013 stage 14 start town: Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Photo: Wikipedia

Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule is a commune in the Allier department in Auvergne in central France. The commune is located 28 km (17 mi) north of Vichy and 32 km (20 mi) south of Moulins on the Route nationale 9. Saint-Pourçain wine is made in an area around the commune.

Main sights include:

  • The bridge Charles de Gaulle: It dates from the late17th century (plan prepared by Matthew, engineer, and architect of the King’s buildings). Renovated several times following floods and damage from World War II, it still has its original, slightly domed appearance, with four spur piles. Very nice view of the old town.
  • The clock tower or belfry: Erected on one of the old towers of the monastic enclosure around 1480, it first served as a watchtower and is one of the symbols of municipal freedoms. It is then fitted with a clock with its bell by the inhabitants who were then in conflict with the monks of the priory. At the end of the 18th century, the clock was moved to the church tower to return to the tower from 1837 during the renovation of its top which ended in 1842. It was around this time that the name of Belfry was given to it. Inside this tower, there is a spiral staircase that can be admired from the bailiff’s house which houses the collections of the Vine Museum; the latter dedicates one of its rooms to the history of the city.
  • The Sainte-Croix church: The former Sainte-Croix priory, today a parish, is a vast building that required several building campaigns. It has a porch dating from the beginning of the Romanesque period above which rises the bell tower. The Gothic nave is covered with a vessel hull frame. Inside, the visitor will especially admire the choir, the roundabout of which has very elegant pointed arches. The north porch has preserved the niches and the bases of its old statues-columns destroyed during the Revolution. The stalls of Benedictine monks of the 15th century, the statue of Century is the most beautiful objects kept inside this church which also has an organ Cavaillé-Coll of the 19th century is an excellent tool but is now unfortunately removed.
  • Museum Vine and Terroir: The museum, which is installed in the house of Bailli (16th century), in the courtyard of the Benedictines, offers more than a dozen rooms to explore to find the Holy vineyard and Pourcinois history: tools of the winegrower and craftsmen related to the vine, wine-growing techniques, daily life.
  • Lithography Museum: occupying the Benedictine cellar, this museum explains how a lithographic press works. Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
  • The old suburb of Palluet and the place called Le Temple

Finish: Lyon

Lyon panorama
Tour de France 2013 stage 14 finish city: Lyon panorama

Lyon is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille.

The city is known for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon was historically known as an important area for the production and weaving of silk and in modern times has developed a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France.

The city has a significant role in the history of cinema due to Auguste and Louis Lumière the Lumière brothers – Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas; 19 October 1862 – 10 April 1954 and Louis Jean; 5 October 1864 – 7 June 1948, manufacturers of photography equipment) who invented the cinématographe (the first motion-picture apparatus) in Lyon. They are also famous for the short films they produced between 1895 and 1905.

The city is also known for its famous light festival ‘Fête des Lumières’ which occurs every 8 December and lasts for four days, earning Lyon the title of Capital of Lights. Legend says that the Virgin Mary saved the city from the plague and, to thank her, a statue was built. On the day it was erected, the whole city was lit by candles that its citizens had put at their windows. The local professional football team, Olympique Lyonnais, has increased Lyon’s profile internationally through participation in European football championships.

Sources