The race typically begins in Lyon and heads southeast toward the Italian border, crossing Alpine passes before descending into Torino. The exact routing varies, but the pattern is consistent: early positioning, sustained climbing through the middle hours, and a finish that can favor a reduced sprint, a late attack, or a small group arrival depending on how hard the climbs were raced. The key tactical question is usually whether the peloton lets a break survive the mountains or whether teams with fast finishers keep the pace high enough to bring it back. Riders need to be comfortable on long climbs without being pure climbers, and they need to stay alert through the technical descents and valley roads leading into Torino. Weather in the Alps can shift quickly, and rain or heat can reshape the race in the final third.
Race type
One-day race crossing from France into Italy via the Alps. One of the few races that treats the Alps as a transit rather than a summit.
Alpine crossing
The route connects two cycling cities across alpine passes, with climbing in the middle and a flat run to the Italian finish.
Typical winner
A rider who can survive sustained alpine climbing and still compete at the finish in Torino.