a route for adventurers, four tricky climbs to climb… The eighth stage in question

The day after the breathtaking duel between the yellow jersey, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), and his runner-up, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), at the Super Planche des Belles Filles, the eighth stage of the Tour de France promises a lot, Saturday 9 July. Even if it could be likened to a transition stage, this meeting should offer a great show, as the course is hilly.

What is the stage profile?

Interspersed between two mountain stages, the eighth meeting of this Tour has everything of a trap. The 186.3 kilometers between Dole (Jura) and Lausanne (Switzerland) are made up of difficulties that can cause part of the peloton to waver. Count four in all. Like Thursday in Longwy, the finish will be at the top of a 3rd category climb, near the Olympic Stadium in Lausanne (4.8 kilometers at 4.6% on average, with passages at 12%).

Earlier in the stage, the riders will set off to attack the Côte du Maréchet (4th category, 2 km at 5.7%), the Côte des Rousses (3rd category, 6.7 km at 5%) and the Pétra Félix pass (4th category, 2.4 km at 5.6%). After these three difficulties, the peloton will be entitled to a long descent towards Switzerland, up to the final climb.

Which runners can shine?

This stage has the profile to suit a group of breakaway riders. The interest of the first kilometers will be, for the fighters, to hang on the good car. It’s a safe bet that the polka dot jersey, Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF Education), never stingy in effort, will try his luck. In decline since the start, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) ticks the boxes.

A specialist in solo breakaways on the previous Tour, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) may have something to play for, just like Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo). Heroic on Friday, Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) sticks to the profile of the stage, as does his teammate Felix Grosscharnter. On the French side, Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies) and Benoît Cosnefroy (AG2R-Citroën) have their chances.