A stage to the Vercors range in the Alps, breakaway country and a scenic stage from start to finish.
Tour de France
Tour de France Stage 15 Preview
A hard day in the mountains, today’s profile has y-axis of evil with three steep climbs and they’re very different from what’s come before in the Tour, these are much longer duration climbs.
Tour de France Stage 14 Preview
The third of three stages suitable for the breakaway, today’s course is the most accessible to riders, many will have marked today’s stage as their big chance.
Tour de France Stage 13 Preview
A hilly day along the chain of volcanoes in the Auvergne region before a sharp summit finish.
Tour de France Stage 12 Preview
The longest stage of the race and a surprisingly hard one too, this is also the vintage stage that will pay tribute to days past.
Tour de France Stage 11 Preview
A likely sprint stage, the last until the race turns its back on the Alps, but with some obstacles in the final kilometres, a narrow road and a small climb. Before that the intermediate sprint comes soon after some climbs, a chance to spice up the green jersey competition.
Roads to Ride: The Suc au May
“Remember the name, the Suc au May” said Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme when the route of the 2020 edition was unveiled last October.
Here’s a refresher of the climb on the route of Stage 12 of the 2020 Tour de France, this climb might shape the stage result but has a place in cycling’s history as a focal point of cycling’s supposed “golden age”, an era when the likes of Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault all made their way to an isolated village in central France to be roared on by tens of thousands of spectators.
Tour de France Stage 10 Preview
When the route was announced last October today’s stage suggested two scenarios, one being a parade alongside the coast past beaches packed with holidaymakers, the other a sailing race as the Atlantic crosswind sliced the peloton to pieces. The weather suggests the former, minus the holidaymakers, but it only takes a breeze on the exposed sea crossing at the end to change things.
Rest Day Review
As riders enjoy the sea breeze on their rest day some might be nervous if it blows tomorrow. It’s been a lively opening week to the race with the weather a dominant factor and despite both the Alps and the Pyrenees in the opening week there’s little to separate the main contenders.
Tour de France Stage 9 Preview
The second day in the Pyrenees, today’s stage saves the best for last with the steep ascent of the Marie Blanque. The GC contenders have started to trade blows, today’s final climb is ideal for someone to go clear and stay away. If you plan to watch, note the finish is an hour earlier than usual so far.