Massif Central, France · from Murat
Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère)
Tour de France 2026 · Stage 10 →The climb to Le Lioran over the Col de Font de Cère is gentle by Alpine standards, winding up through the forests of Europe's largest extinct volcano. Its racing value comes from what surrounds it: an endless sawtooth of Cantal climbs that leaves no one fresh at the base.
Summit elevation: 1289 m
Route overview
Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère) · from Murat
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 1 detected hairpins marked (filled markers are tighter than 15 m radius). Use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
Measured road detail
Taken from the Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère) track used by the 3D flyover: from Murat · 639 road points
- Measured length
- 12.72 km
- Measured ascent
- 316 m
- Elevation range
- 1014 → 1304 m
- Hairpins detected
- 1
- Tightest hairpin
- 7.6 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère)
- 12.1 km · 1304 mRight · 7.6 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère)?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
Predict your
performance.
See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004).
Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère) and the Tour
Le Lioran hosted Tour stages in 1959, 1975, 2004, 2011, 2016 and 2024 — Massif Central days that are traditionally breakaway and ambush territory rather than summit showdowns.
In 2024 the Tour's stage 11 to Le Lioran turned into a heavyweight duel, with Jonas Vingegaard outsprinting Tadej Pogačar after a day of repeated attacks. Stage 10 of the 2026 route repeats the seven-climb Cantal formula on Bastille Day.
Tadej Pogačar won at Le Lioran after seven categorised climbs, his third stage victory of the race.
Beat Tadej Pogačar in the 2024 Le Lioran sprint after a hard Massif Central mountain stage.
Riding it yourself
When to go
Rideable April to November; the Cantal is green, wet and cool rather than alpine. Summer is prime — but pack a rain layer regardless of forecast.
Base & logistics
Murat, a handsome basalt town on the Clermont-Aurillac line, is the base for this side. The classic loop adds the Pas de Peyrol (Puy Mary) — the Cantal's signature climb — and the Col de Serre.
FAQ
How long is the Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère) climb?
From Murat, the climb is about 12.4 km with roughly 329 m of elevation gain at 2.6% average gradient (based on the simplified profile used by this simulator; published figures vary slightly by source).
How long does it take to cycle up Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère)?
It depends almost entirely on your power-to-weight ratio. Use the simulator on this page: enter your FTP and weight, and a physics model (air resistance, rolling resistance, gravity) estimates your time on the gradient profile.
Can I see Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère) in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 639 routed points covering from Murat, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère) have?
1 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 7.6 m radius. They are marked on the 2D sketch and ridden in order in the 3D flyover.
How accurate is the time simulation?
The simulator uses a simplified segment profile and standard road bike assumptions (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004, 8 kg bike). It does not model wind, drafting, altitude, surface or pacing errors, so treat the result as a realistic estimate, not a guarantee.
How should I train for Le Lioran (Col de Font de Cère)?
Sustained climbs reward steady threshold and sweet spot work plus a power-to-weight improvement over weeks, not days. TrainCraft builds structured cycling training plans and adapts them when you miss sessions, using fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB).
More famous climbs
Preparing for this climb?
A climb like this is won weeks in advance. TrainCraft builds a structured plan around your FTP and available hours, and adapts it when you miss a workout.
Start Training FreeThe profile is simplified into 38 segments for simulation; real gradients vary metre by metre. Stats shown are derived from this simulated profile and closely match commonly published figures. Time estimates assume standard road bike physics and no wind.
Training for a climb like this?
TrainCraft builds structured training plans and adapts them when life gets in the way — real fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB), visual workout builder, Strava & Garmin sync. Free to start.