Stage 20: Lure to La Planche des Belles Filles
The only individual time trial in this year’s Tour sends riders to the summit of la Planche des Belles Filles, the steep climb in the Vosges. Before they hit the climb riders must tackle 30 kilometers of rolling terrain.
Start: 7:19 am EST
Est. Finish: 12:15 pm EST
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Stage 20 preview
Course: La Planche des Belles Filles was introduced to the Tour in 2012, and since then it has been used three times (2014, 2017, 2019). This year the climb becomes the focal point of the Tour’s GC battle, as it serves as the race’s only individual time trial. The climb isn’t the only feature on the route. Before riders hit the ascent, they must navigate 28 rolling kilometers. The climb itself is 5.9 kilometers and averages 8.5 percent, with a steep 20-percent ramp just before the finish. Will the GC stars tackle the climb on a time trial bike or road bike? It’s an important decision that could cost a rider valuable seconds.
Favorites: Egan Bernal, Chris Froome, Primož Roglič, Tom Dumoulin
Jens Voigt’s take: What can I say: It’s pretty straightforward today. The legs are talking today with this 36km individual time trial. The first 30km are fairly flat, and then it’s the killer climb up to La Planche des Belles Filles. Everyone knows the climb, so everybody can judge his effort perfectly. To me, the interesting question today is: Will we see a bike change from the specialists and the GC riders? You see, 30km on a proper time trial bike gives you a huge advantage over a normal bike, but TT bikes are heavier and less comfortable while climbing. I am sure there will be bike changes. And the yellow jersey wins today’s stage in my opinion.