2020 Tour de France stage 14 preview
September 12, 2020: Clermont-Ferrand > Lyon, 194km
Stage 14: Clermont-Ferrand - Lyon
Date: September 12, 2020
Distance: 194km
Stage start: 1:05 p.m. CEST
Stage type: Mountain
A Saturday stage that is complicated on the front end with tough climbs and leads to a very punchy finish. There are three categorised climbs in the first 93 kilometres, then the final two come with just 12.5km to go. The finale will put off the sprinters so expect a break to win.
During the early years of the first millenium, wars raged across the part of France that lay between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon. Sitting on the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon was an important city for the Romans and a cosmopolitan centre for trade and commerce. The journey from rough highlands to the plains is reflected in the parcours of stage 14 of the 2020 Tour. The first half of the stage is mountainous, and if the sprinters didn’t look too closely at the finale, they might think it was worth trying to crest the category 2 Col du Béal, rising to 1,390m, to contest the finish.
Lyon is a classic waypoint on the Tour de France route, having appeared in the very first race in 1903. In order to get to Lyon in 2020, riders will have to save power for two punchy climbs just before the finish, both category 4 scrambles. These could prove to be battlegrounds for a rebellious uprising.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
How to watch La Flèche Wallonne 2024
Catch all the action from the leg-busting slopes of the Mur de Huy on Wednesday, April 17 -
Swenson and De Crescenzo win inaugural titles at The Growler in California
More than 100 pro riders endure wintry weather for 140-mile road race with $55,000 payout to top five men and women -
Bilbao, Buitrago headline Bahrain Victorious for Flèche Wallonne
Four ascents of Mur de Huy mean more emphasis on early part of race -
La Flèche Wallonne 2024 - Analysing the contenders
Defending champion Demi Vollering joins Tom Pidcock among the top contenders for glory on the Mur de Huy