After the start, just after 1.15 pm, there is a flat run-up over about 50 kilometers after which the Col d’Aspin looms, a mountain of the first category. The subsequent Hourquette d’Ancizan is a category lower.
Although it doesn’t go higher than 1600 meters after that, the last two climbs, both of the first category, are considerably tougher. The Col de Val-Louron-Azet is irregular. After a descent follows the climb to Peyragudes with sections with a gradient of 16 percent at the end. The arrival there is expected around 5 pm.
The Dane Jonas Vingegaard will also wear the yellow leader’s jersey on Wednesday. The Jumbo-Visma rider kept his margin of 2.22 minutes on Pogacar. The Slovenian has promised to continue to attack.
Stage 17: Saint-Gaudens – Peyragudes
- When: Wednesday 20 July, start at 1.15 pm and arrival around 5 pm
- Distance: 130 kilometers
- Type: mountain ride
Short but sweet. As in the Alps, fierce war can be waged in the Pyrenees for two days in a row. Before the riders arrive, the Tour crosses the Aspin, the annoying Hourquette d’Anzican and the Val Louron-Azet. The final climb is painful, with 8 kilometers at 7.8%. Anyone who is not in his day will be dropped from the standings. Tadej Pogacar explored the ride and his reaction at Peyragudes airport says it all.
Overview
The winner of this year’s Tour will have to be at home in all markets, as the organization has mapped out a very varied route. Below you will find an overview of what the riders can expect in the coming weeks.
View all the stages still to be completed below:
Stage 18: Lourdes – Hautacam
- When: Thursday 21 July, start at 1.30 pm and arrival around 5.40 pm
- Distance: 143 kilometers
- Type: mountain ride
The very last fight in the mountains, but one that can count heavily. From the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, the last mountain stage goes over the Aubisque (16.4 kilometers at 7.1%) to the Col de Spandelles, which is brand new in the Tour: ten kilometers long and an average climb of eight percent. Thursday afternoon at Hautacam (13.5km at 7.8%) we basically know the mountain king and the potential final winner.
Stage 19: Castelnau-Magnoac – Cahors
- When: Friday 22 July, start at 1.05 pm and arrival around 5.30 pm
- Distance: 189 kilometers
- Type: flat
Strangely enough, the visit to the Lot after crossing the Gers and the Tarn-et-Garonne is also a nod to the opening scene of the Tour: after all, the nearby castle of Cayx belongs to the royal family from Denmark. We can be brief about the race: in Cahors we can expect a battle between the remaining sprinters after a stage without significant obstacles. Although the two slopes of the fourth category can cut off your legs just before the final, just after a grueling journey through the Pyrenees…
Stage 20: Lacapelle-Marival – Rocamadour
- When: Saturday 23 July, first start at 13:05 and last arrival around 17:50
- Distance: 40 kilometers
- Type: individual time trial
Finally, on the last Saturday, there is a time trial of forty kilometers in the hilly department of the Lot. That’s going to be a very long one survival of the fittest and the hour of truth. It is a difficult time trial, which is ten kilometers longer than last year. Continuous up and down, twisting and turning. Just like two years ago at Planche des Belles Filles, it can still happen here. In total, this Tour counts five kilometers less against the time than last year, but forty kilometers at the end of a difficult Tour is a deadly long.
Stage 21: Paris La Défense Arena – Paris Champs Elysées
- When: Sunday 24 July, start at 4.30 pm and arrival around 7.30 pm
- Distance: 112 km
- Type: flat
In 2024, the Tour through the Olympic Games will not end in Paris, but this year we can enjoy the traditional closing: after a trip through the suburbs of the capital, where traditionally the winner already sips from a first glass of champagne, follows the legendary Champs Elysées the ‘World Championship for sprinters’. Or the first criterion, depending on how you look at it. The fact is that every sprinter has this evening stage to write in his name.