The penultimate stage started high in the mountains at Zernez; the stage start was almost above sea level. The race steadily rose towards the first of two categorised climbs on the route, passing through the previous day's stage finish of La Punt, and also St. Moritz, before the ascent of the Julier Pass. The climb started at Silvaplana, and climbed almost to the summit, at an average gradient of around 6.6%. From there, a descent followed, taking the race back down to flatter grounds at Rhäzüns. After contesting the first intermediate sprint just outside Chur, the riders passed through the finish line in Bad Ragaz for the first time, prior to a closing loop. The second intermediate sprint came shortly after the line in Sargans, taking in several kilometres in Liechtenstein, prior to the third-category kicker at the St. Luzisteig Pass - with a maximum gradient of 12% - just from the finish. A fast descent followed, before the final were flat.