legendary passes, the Peyragudes altiport as the grand finale… The 17th stage in question

Full cap on the myths of the Pyrenees. After a first act which has already done damage, on Tuesday, the 17th stage of the Tour de France offers, Wednesday July 20, 129.7 grueling km, with four Hautes-Pyrénées passes to climb. The runners will start from Saint-Gaudens (Haute-Garonne) and arrive at the altiport of Peyragudes (Hautes-Pyrénées), at 1,580 meters above sea level.

What is the stage profile?

The first half of the stage could allow a breakaway to be created before the intermediate sprint of La-Barthe-de-Neste at the 33rd kilometer. The following ? Four passes during the remaining 70 kilometers. Enough to wash away a peloton already worn out by the previous 16 days of racing. The legendary Col d’Aspin (12km at 6.5%)borrowed 74 times by the Tour, will be quickly followed by the Hourquette d’Ancizan (8.5 km to 5.1%).

Once these first two difficulties have been overcome and the village of Saint-Lary-Soulan crossed, the peloton will have to climb the interminable cOl de Val Louron–Azet (10.7 km to 6.8%). The stage will end like a grand finale with the highest percentages on average. Lascent to the station of Peyragudes (8 km to 7.8%) and its altiport, represents the highest finish of this Tour in the Pyrenees.

Which riders can shine on this stage?

Once again, this day promises a great game of cranks for climbers. The fighters could also interfere in a breakaway which is likely to go to the end, given the numbers less and less provided in the formations of the two leaders. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) has one of his last chances to get the stage victory he covets. Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious), already at the front the day before could appear there, just like Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) who shows a good state of form at the end of the Grande Boucle.

On such a profile, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) can continue to harass the yellow jersey, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), still firmly clinging to his tunic and perfectly supported by Sepp Kuss. For his part, Romain Bardet (Team DSM), who had already won at the Peyragudes altiport in 2017, will be keen to recover after his disappointment on Tuesday.

Why the gaps could widen in the last kilometer?

Whether I’sequence collars will wear out the organisms, it is especially the last ascent which should make the difference between the best. The last two kilometers will be particularly demanding. The 13% over one kilometer arriving at La Sapinière will raise the lactic acid, before a more regular part at 6%, then an electric final with passages exceeding 16% over one kilometer.

In the past, some have done well, others have lost their footing on the last ramps. In 2017, when Romain Bardet raised his arms, Christopher Froome, in difficulty in the last wall, had given up his yellow jersey for a few seconds. In 2012, on a track very similar to that of 2017, Alejandro Valverde then took advantage of the order given by Sky to Christopher Froome to wait for his leader, Bradley Wiggins.

What are the schedules ?

1:00 p.m. : beginning of the retransmission on France 2 and france.tv
1:15 p.m.: fictitious start
1:25 p.m.: real start
4:50 p.m.: scheduled arrival in Peyragudes