The Pyrenees conclude with some legendary Tour de France mountain passes, the Col d'Aspin (12km at 6.6 percent) and the Col du Tourmalet (17km at 7.5 percent), where riders will be greeted by the masses.
An early breakaway will need good legs to master both of the challenging climbs and hold out until the finish, as there are still some 50 kilometres to cover to Tarbes after the descent of the Tourmalet. Depending on what happens within the group of favourites, this stage could be more nervous than it appears on paper, especially since the riders will be able to rest in Limoges the next day.
Vaughters' views
The Tourmalet is never easy, no matter where it’s placed in a stage. The scrappy breakaway climbers will have their day again, maybe this time making it to the line or maybe being absorbed by a very reduced group of 25 or so big name dudes.
One thing to look for from this day forward is: does the race leader have a strong team? They will need it as, after Arcalis and the rest of the Pyrenees, it’s a long way to defend until the Alps.
Whoever has the jersey at this point will need to have a good team or chaotic racing will be the rule for the next week. Chaos aside, I'd really like it if Dan Martin won on this day.
-
Jonas Vingegaard attacks solo after crash to win Tour de France Saitama Criterium
Dane drops Primož Roglič with two kilometres to go as Jonathan Milan finishes second, Kaden Groves third -
'I'm not sure what’s next' - Mara Roldan suffers setback to recovery from broken femur
Picnic-PostNL rider to undergo further tests after crashing out of Tour of Britain Women in June -
European Cyclocross Championships: Barbora Bukovská wins junior women's title, Filippo Grigolini victorious in the junior men's race
Czech rider sees off challenge from Nynke Jochems as Nicole Azzetti completes podium -
'I've seen so many doctors' - Thalita de Jong looking forward to 2026 after year plagued by medical mystery
Former cyclocross world champion aiming for incident free season with Human Powered Health
