With a certainly effective quip, Christian Prudhomme gave a perfect definition of the sixth stage of the Tour de France, the Bayeux - Vire Normandie of 201.5 km: "It's the flattest leg-breaking stage in the recent history of the Tour".

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It's true that there are six côtes to tackle - 5 of 3rd category and 1 of 4th category - but this doesn't fully explain the total elevation gain of 3,550 meters. In other words, an elevation profile of a not-too-hard but challenging mountain stage.

The stage takes place in what is called the "Norman Switzerland", practically there's not a single meter of flat terrain and the effort to be made will be truly significant.

In order, the climbs are:

Côte du Mont Pinçon at km 35, 5.6 km at 3.7% average gradient
Côte de la Rançonniere at km 56, 2.2 km at 7.8% average gradient
Côte de Mortain Cote 314 at km 138, 1.7 km at 9.6% average gradient
Côte de Juvigny-le-Tertre at km 154.5, 2.2 km at 7.3% average gradient
Côte de Saint-Michel-de-Montjoie at km 174.3, 3.7 km at 4.5% average gradient
Côte de la Vaudry at km 197.1, 1.2 km at 7.2% average gradient

It's almost predictable that a breakaway will form, and it's certainly a safe bet to expect a new duel between the big names on the Côte de la Vaudry and then on the final straight which presents 700 meters at 10%.