towards a new episode of the duel between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, this time in the Grand Colombier? The 13th step in questions

The road will rise on Friday to attack this weekend of July 14. On this national holiday, the riders will travel through Ain during a 13th stage which promises to be explosive with a final fireworks display in the Grand Colombier. An arrival at the top for a new pass of arms between the two monsters of the peloton, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar?

What is the profile?

In the aftermath of a still very intense uneven stage, the riders may be able to take a breather during the first part. The race begins with 75 kilometers of flat. Then will come a first unlisted climb to reach the intermediate sprint in Hauteville-Lompnes. Finally, the Grand Colombier will be the crowning glory of this short stage (137.8 kilometres). With 17.4 kilometers at 7.1%, the “pyramid of Bugey” promises to be a spectacle in the fight for stage victory and for the general classification. But this is only the first day of the alpine triptych that awaits the runners.

Who are the favourites?

Will we witness a new duel between Tadej Pogacar (UAE) and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma)? Since the start of the Tour, the first two in the general classification have gone blow for blow at the slightest opportunity. The probability of seeing the white jersey attack the yellow jersey again in the last kilometers of the Grand Colombier (where it has already won in 2020) is strong. Having not yet won this Tour de France, the Dane could also be tempted to take the initiative over his Slovenian rival, his lead having been reduced to 17 seconds during the 9th stage in Puy-de-Dôme.

If the long-awaited duel will attract all eyes, it is not excluded that some good climbers try to anticipate from the foot of the Grand Colombier like the Frenchman Romain Bardet (DSM), 12th overall, who will be keen to redeem himself after missing his goals on his own land.

If the favorites lose interest in the breakaway, some seasoned fighters could be tempted to seize their chance as soon as the departure from Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne. Among them are mountain classification contenders like polka dot jersey Neilson Powless (EF), Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X) or Felix Gall (AG2R Citroën).

What are the schedules ?

1:25 p.m.: start of the broadcast on France 3 and france.tv
1:45 p.m.: fictitious start
1:55 p.m.: actual departure (switch to France 2 at 3 p.m.)
5:12 p.m.: scheduled arrival (at an average of 42 km/h) at the Grand Colombier