| Stage | 12 |
|---|---|
| Type | Road Stage |
| Date | Thursday, 15 July 2027 |
| Route | Chambéry → Valence |
| Distance | 162 km |
Transition stages between mountain blocks are where the green jersey is fought for. With the Massif Central and the Pyrenees still to come, the sprint teams know how few clear chances they have left.
It is also the day the Tour leaves the Alps behind: from Savoie, where Greg LeMond and Jeannie Longo became world champions in 1989, to Valence and the gateway to the south.
The stage leaves Chambéry, a Tour town for the fifth time, and passes through Voiron, where Jasper Philipsen won the stage from Chambéry in 2026. There are a few inclines along the way, but nothing that should stop a well organised sprint team.
The real danger is the wind. Prudhomme warns that the final 25 km are exposed, and a change of direction ten kilometres from the finish could prove decisive. If it blows across the road, the race can break into echelons and the sprint becomes a fight for the front group.
“Opportunities for sprinters and breakaway specialists.”
The journey south offers opportunities for sprinters and breakaway specialists before the demanding stage to Mende.
Stuey's 2027 route review, October 2026
Stuart O'Grady OAM OLY
4 x Tour de France Stage Winner
Valence is a stage town for the sixth time and has seen everything from breakaway wins to Pogačar taking the 2025 European road title. Stand in the last kilometre for the sprint, or out on the open roads before town if the wind is up, where the race can split in front of you.
Chambéry, at the start, is a handsome old Savoie capital and an easy morning before the race rolls out. For guests coming off the Alpine stages, this is a day to slow down, watch the sprint and follow the race south.
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