Stage 16 could be the key to the 2006 Tour. The crucial linchpin stage begins by immediately ascending the immense Galibier, then descends over 60km to attack the Beyond Category Col de la Croix-de-Fer, then the transition climb of Col du Mollard, and then down to St.Jean-de-Maurienne to the final ascent of the new climb up to the ski station of La Toussuire. It's not a steep grade at 6% but it is 18.4km long, which could lead to big gaps at the finish. It will be time for riders like Valverde to make up some time before the final TT.
Mountains
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Happy with third, Florian Lipowitz knew he would ‘explode' if he followed Pogačar on Dauphiné stage 7
His performance does not change the plan to assist team leader Primož Roglič at Tour de France -
Israel-Premier Tech look to Matthew Riccitello, Mike Woods for unpredictable Tour de Suisse
Riccitello looks to better last year’s fifth-place finish -
‘You have to seize these moments’ - Romain Bardet on his solo stage 7 attack on Criterium du Dauphine
Frenchman will be on a moto for second week of Tour de France -
Tour Féminin des Pyrénées: Usoa Ostolaza climbs to stage 2 victory and into GC lead
Nadia Gontova takes second, Ségolène Thomas third on Col du Soulor
