The summit of D913 has an elevation of 1,463m (4,800ft) and was crossed on the penultimate stage of the 2013 Tour de France (Stage 20).[2][3] The Tour de France has crossed the pass twice previously and has had a stage finish twice on the summit.[4]
Located at the western end of the French Alps, Mont Revard receives a lot of precipitation over the year and significant accumulations of snow - up to 8m (26ft 3in) during the winter of 2012–2013.[5] Summers are quite warm and sunny and thunderstorms are not uncommon. Winters are very cold and snowy.
Source: Weather, forecasts, history, risks in Le Mont Revard, Rhône-Alpes, France
Details of the climb
In 2013, the climb used by the Tour de France commenced at Saint-Jean-d'Arvey and climbs 866m (2,841ft) in 15.9km (9.9mi) at an average gradient of 5.6%, and was ranked a Category 1 climb.[2]
From Aix-les-Bains, the climb to the ski resort at Le Revard via the D913 is 21.4km (13.3mi) long, climbing 1,277m (4,190ft) at an average gradient of 6%.[1] From Chambery, the climb via the D912/D913 is 25.0km (15.5mi) long with 1,267m (4,157ft) height gained at an average of 5.1%.[6]
Caving
The limestoneplateau is conducive to karst formations. Some pit caves (called 'tannes') are connected to underground networks such as the Garde-Cavale network, accessible from the Trou du Garde and the Creux de la Cavale.[7] More than 50km of this network has been explored. The waters, whose flow varies from 14 to 7,000 litres per second, come out at the Doria cave,[8] which is visible from Chambéry.
In 1965 and 1972, the ski resort of Le Revard was used as a stage finish, with the finishing line being situated at 1,500m (4,921ft). The 1965 stage was a mountain time trial won by Felice Gimondi.[4]
