Stage 18: Pau to Luz Ardiden
It’s the last mountain stage and, therefore, the last chance for the climbers to gain time on the rouleurs before the final time trial.
Start: 7:35 am EDT
Est. Finish: 11:30 am EDT
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Pyrénées V: A Climbing Classic
The stage is short but promises a great deal with its classic combination of the Col du Tourmalet and Luz-Ardiden. It’s the last mountain stage and, therefore, the last chance for the climbers to gain time on the rouleurs before the final time trial, which could, as it did in the 2020 Tour, produce one final reshuffling of the pack. We can expect battle to commence on the Tourmalet, but the 13-kilometer ascent to Luz-Ardiden often sees a surprise winner, including a young Miguel Induráin in 1990 and veteran Samuel Sánchez in 2011. Bearing in mind the misfortune experienced by Roglič last year, it’s by no means certain that the race leader will be satisfied with an advantage of just a few seconds before the time trial.
Finish Line
After a climb of 13.3km averaging 7.4 percent, at the end of a 130m straight on the 18 feet wide D921.