The first part will lead the stage to the polar base, settled on the top of the Mont-Cenis Pass. This first run of 50 kilometers will end by the ascent to the pass that wil see the mushers go from 1400 to 2000 meters high. It will be a tough leg and the mushers will have to be really efficient in the way the will settle their teams on the pass. Building snow walls, digging holes, as Radek is used to, are the kind of things that they'll have to do to make sure their dogs will have a good rest. Those who may fail in that exercise will pay it on the second leg for sure.

The well rested and fit teams will be the only ones to perform of that 86 kilometers. So far, the stages have not been longer than 60 kilometers. On that last leg, some mushers may show their limit.