We have only 6 stages left.
PLAIN STAGES
Although it’s the final week, the program includes another (rather) plain stage beside the usual closing day in Paris.
So, there will be two occasions for the sprinters to prove themselves: the 19th and the 21st stage.
Because the stage on Friday is not entirely flat, and we don’t know how many sprinters will survive the previous three days in the mountains, it’s quite possible that the sprinter teams will allow a breakaway, which could ride home this day.
The final stage will be the usual critérium-style race in Paris.
THREE HARD DAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Stages 16, 17 and 18 will be crucial – as usual. (What else could you expect from a fina week of a Grand Tour?)
The first stage immediately after the second rest day is probably for the mountain escapees.
As you can see, it ends with a third category climb and according to the current state, there won’t be significant for the teams of the GC guys to catch the time bonuses. The time gaps between the top10 riders are far larger already.
On the other hand, the first stage after the second rest day is always a risky one in terms of you never know which rider will have a bad day. (Just remember Fabio Aru at the Giro d’Italia 2015).
No wonder that the 17th stage is one of the most anticipated days of this year’s Tour de France. The route ends on the Col de la Loze, which is a brand new summit of the Tour de France. Before that, the peloton will visit Col de la Madeleine.
Both climbs are real monsters: Madeleine is 17,1 km, la Loze is 21,5 km long. Although Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) is leading the race with 44″ ahead of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) and more than one minute ahead of the rest of the top GC contenders, I think this is the stage Jumbo-Visma should really worry about it. Nothing can be more dangerous for a solid leading position, than two incredible long ascents in the Alps.
Stage 18 includes another long climb, the Cormet de Roselend, and it will be another hard day in the saddle with another HC climb at the end, but not a summit finish. There will be a 31,5 km long downhill after the
Montée du plateau des Glières. (And also a non-categorized climb halfway to the finish.)
MOUNTAIN TIME TRIAL UP TO LA PLANCHE DES BELLES FILLES
La Planche des Belles Filles is a real favourite of the current race organizers. It was used at the very first time in 2012. And it became legendary very soon, just look at the list names of the first three winners: Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Fabio Aru. All Grand Tour winner riders.
A gravel sector was added to the top pf the rout in 2019, Dylan Teuns was the winner of that stage.
Of course, the time trial won’t reach the gravel part of the road.
If anything is left open in the battle for the top GC positions, this will be the last chance for everyone.
Leadpic: A.S.O. / Ashley Gruber – Jered Gruber