The Tour’s decisive stages start with a tough test that begins easily enough but has two tasty peaks to spice up the closing kilometres.
The Port de Pailhères didn’t feature before 2003 but has become a Tour favourite. It ramps up severely over a series of hairpins towards the summit, from where there’s a rapid descent into Ax-les-Thermes to the foot of the final climb.
-
The master and mentor – Romain Bardet prepares for his Grand Tour farewell at the Giro d'Italia
'Really try to experience everything you do and grab every opportunity that comes along' French rider tells his Picnic PostNL teammates -
La Vuelta Femenina favourites - Who can beat Demi Vollering in first Grand Tour of 2025?
FDJ-Suez are formidable but face competition from outside favourites Pauline-Ferrand-Prévot, Mavi Garcia and more -
Justin Peck and Jen Tavé win muddy Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic in fourth round of Grasshopper Adventure Series
Tavé rode solo for most of the 76-mile contest to step up from second place finish last year -
'It's a bit of an obsession to reach 100 wins' - Alexander Kristoff to pass the baton to younger brother Felix Ørn-Kristoff and retire at close of 2025 season
Norwegian's 19-year-old sibling a stage winner in Tour de Bretagne this week
