The col de la Lombarde by bike
The Tour de France riders crossed the Col de la Lombarde in 2008 during the 16th stage of the Tour between Cuneo and Jausiers. Frenchman Christophe Le Mével spent the stage in second place, but gained the points of the 1st in the classification. The German Stefan Schumacher who took the lead was downgraded for a positive doping control. The pass was also crossed by the Tour of Italy in 2016 during the 20th stage between Guillestre and Vinadio.
The ascent of the Col de la Lombarde by bike is possible on both sides. Although the road on the Italian side is narrower, you will need to be trained to climb the summit by bike, whatever the slope you are riding on. Indeed, the average slope is relatively steep with sections of almost 10%.
From the French side, starting from Isola, south side, you can reach the pass in more than 21 kilometers with a difference in height of 1,477 meters and an average slope of 6.87% that can reach maximums of 9.3%.
On the Italian side, at Pratolungo, on the northern slope, the distance to reach the summit is about the same with more than 21 kilometers, a difference in height of 1,447 meters and an average slope of 6.79%, with a maximum of 9.1%.
Experienced cyclists can tackle the “Three Passes race” (Course des Trois Cols) starting in Saint Etienne de Tinée or Saint Dalmas le Selvage for the more seasoned. Saint Dalmas le Selvage, also known as the roof of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis, is the highest village in the department, two-thirds of which is located in the Mercantour National Park. The itinerary starts with a 26-kilometer ascent to the Col de la Bonnette, at an altitude of 2,802 meters, then continues with a descent to Jausiers before reaching the Col de Larche, at an altitude of 1,991 meters. Once in Italy, you descend to Vinadio before climbing the last pass: the Col de la Lombarde in France. The return trip is via Isola to complete a loop.
