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Stuey's 2027 route review, October 2026
Stuart O'Grady OAM OLY
4 x Tour de France Stage Winner
Stage 5Road Stage7 July 2027
Stage 5: Pontorson to Plumelec
178km
1,900m elevation
| Stage | 5 |
|---|---|
| Type | Road Stage |
| Date | Wednesday, 7 July 2027 |
| Route | Pontorson → Plumelec |
| Distance | 178 km |
| Elevation | 1,900 m |
Why This Stage Matters
Plumelec is a Breton cycling landmark. Local, national and international races have all finished on the Cadoudal, and every cyclist in the area has ridden it. When the Tour comes here, the crowd knows exactly what the riders are about to go through.
After the wind of the Cotentin, this is a different test: a short climb taken twice, where the strongest puncheur in the race should win. Small gaps on a finish like this can move the yellow jersey.
The Route
The Race
The first part of the day is calm by design. From Pontorson the race nods to Mont-Saint-Michel and heads west into Brittany on long straight roads, passing Saint-Méen-le-Grand at halfway to honour its riders, from Louison Bobet to Frédéric Guesdon.
Everything that matters happens on the traditional Plumelec circuit. The Côte de Cadoudal, 1.7 km at 6.2%, comes twice, and Christian Prudhomme expects it to crown the puncheur best able to repeat a roughly three minute effort. Expect a hard pace on the first ascent and an all out fight on the second.
The climb has history with the yellow jersey. Bernard Hinault won the 1985 prologue here in his native Brittany and was still in yellow in Paris three weeks later, the last time a French rider won the Tour.
Stuey's Thoughts
Experience This Stage
Stand on the Cadoudal. The race comes past twice on the circuit, so you see the first move and the final one from the same spot, with Breton fans packed in on both sides of the road.
Ride it the day before. At 1.7 km the climb is short enough to take a few times in one morning, and by the last effort you will know exactly what the riders feel when they hit it for the second time with the stage on the line.
Key Climbs
- Côte de Cadoudal, 1.7 km at 6.2% (first ascent)
- Côte de Cadoudal, 1.7 km at 6.2% (second ascent, into the finish)
Climb Profiles
Côte de Cadoudal: 1.7 km at 6.2%, climbed twice on the Plumelec circuit.
The 2027 tours will be released shortly
ASO presented the route on 22 October. Our 2027 journeys and race day experiences are being finalised now and will be released shortly. Leave your details and you will hear first.