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
-
Neilson Powless, Larry Warbasse, Michael Matthews among men's field at Maryland Cycling Classic to challenge defending champion Mattias Skjelmose
Alison Jackson, Tiffany Cromwell, Lauren Stephens add star-power in debut of women's UCI one-day race in Baltimore -
September will mark the end of the road for Ceratizit Pro Cycling after failed sponsorship hunt
Women's WorldTour team confirmed to compete at Maryland Cycling Classic before wrapping up at end of season after a decade of racing -
'With the team we've got, it's well within our grasp' – UAE Team Emirates-XRG ready to step into Vuelta a España spotlight at team time trial
Emirati squad looking for victory on Wednesday with leaders João Almeida and Juan Ayuso sitting 10th and 11th on GC -
'The bad and the beauty of team time trials, everyone is nervous' – Ineos Grenadiers ready to embrace the stress in pursuit of back-to-back Vuelta a España stage wins
British squad confident of challenging stage 5 team race against the clock in Figueres, but admit they 'haven't got the best lineup' against UAE and Visma
