Limoux – Foix
Distance: 191km
Highest point: 1,517m
Category: High mountains
A Pyrenean hors d’oeuvre
This is not a full-on Pyrenean stage and is unlikely to have any major effect on the overall classification, but it’s no less interesting for all that. The Port de Lers is a good test, as is the Mur de Péguère. Like many other climbs in this year’s Tour, it’s new to the race, although featured on the itinerary in 1973. On that occasion, the riders were due to tackle it in the other direction but successfully protested against its inclusion because they felt the descent was too dangerous. It’s been resurfaced since then but is no less steep than it was 39 years ago. France’s biggest names could be in the picture.
Sean Yates: "By this stage, the race will have settled and there will be certain time gaps, so the likes of Thomas Voeckler can take a decent lead and stay away until the finish. It’s a hard day, with two Cols and the Port de Lers, but not one that will be decisive."
Maps and profiles courtesy of ASO
-
USA CRITS: Robin Carpenter wins College Park Criterium as Luke Fetzer secures Speed Week title
Colombian Valeria Cardozo-Cabrera earns second win in three days while La Grange winner Holly Breck best in Speed Week -
'The pink jersey is more dream than reality' - Wout van Aert scales back ambition of taking early Giro d'Italia lead
Visma-Lease a Bike rider says he's had only one good training day since Amstel Gold Race -
'I'm just going into it freely and without pressure' - SD Worx-Protime top the GC standings but all still to play for as La Vuelta Femenina heads into the mountains
'We are going to go full steam ahead, and then we'll see if we manage to reach the final podium' says Anna van der Breggen ahead of mountain test at Lagunas de Neila -
EF Education-EasyPost unveil 'White Diamonds' kit for 2025 Giro d'Italia
Team names Richard Carapaz as GC leader for the Giro
