Ax 3 Domaines

Ax 3 Domaines
The blue piste "Bonascre" at Ax 3 Domaines The blue piste "Bonascre" at Ax 3 Domaines
Nearest city	Ax-les-Thermes
Coordinates
Top elevation	2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Base elevation	1,400 m (4,600 ft)
Runs	17
Website	www.ax-ski.com

Ax 3 Domaines is a winter sports resort situated in the commune of Ax-les-Thermes, departement of Ariège, in France. Since 2001, the climb to the ski station has been used as a stage finish in the Tour de France cycle race.

On 6 July 2013, the eighth stage of the Tour de France finished in the resort at an altitude of 1,375 m (4,511 ft).

Details of the climb

The climb commences at Ax-les-Thermes from where the ascent is 7.8 km (4.8 mi) long gaining 670 m (2,198 ft) at an average gradient of 8.6%, although several sections exceed 10%. The Tour de France finish varies from year to year; in 2013, the finish line was at 1,375 m (4,511 ft) although the "summit" of the climb was at 1,350 m (4,429 ft), 1.5 km (0.9 mi) before the stage finish.

Tour de France

The climb has been used in five stages of the Tour de France cycle race with its first appearance coming in 2001, when it was referred to as "Ax-les-Thermes – Plateau de Bonascre". In 2013, it was the finish of the eighth stage from Castres, when British rider, Chris Froome, dominated the climb to take the maillot jaune.

Tour de France stage finishes

Year	Stage	Category	Start of stage	Distance (km)	Stage winner	Yellow jersey
2013	8	1	Castres	195	Chris Froome (GBR)	Chris Froome (GBR)
2010	14	1	Revel	184.5	Christophe Riblon (FRA)	Andy Schleck (LUX)
2005	14	1	Agde	220.5	Georg Totschnig (AUT)	Lance Armstrong (USA)
2003	13	1	Toulouse	197.5	Carlos Sastre (ESP)	Lance Armstrong (USA)
2001	12	1	Perpignan	166.5	Félix Cárdenas (COL)	François Simon (FRA)