The riders click into their pedals in Châtel-Guyon. The Tour never before visited the town with 6,000 inhabitants in the Puy-de-Dôme department.
Pilots who like to race on flat roads have to savour the first 5 kilometres, as the rest of the route goes either up or down. The first proper uphill test takes the shape of the Col de Ceyssat, an ascent of 11.8 kilometres at 5.9% with its crest after 35.5 kilometres. The route continues on hilly terrain for the rest of the day. Sometimes the uphills are awarded with a KOM-classification, sometimes not.
The Côte de la Stèle is 7.1 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 5.5%. The summit is crested at kilometre 85 before the race continues in similar fashion – up, down, up, down, up, down -, although the last 15 kilometres are even more challenging.
Firstly, the 3.8 kilometres uphill on the Col de Neronne. The average gradient of 9.1% features quite some double digit stretches. The riders reach the summit – where 8, 5 and 2 bonus seconds are to be gained – and continue onto a plateau of 4 kilometres long before a 2 kilometres drop down to the foot of the final haul up.
The Puy Mary – or, Pas de Peyrol – is a climb of 5.4 kilometres at 8.1% with the last 2.4 kilometres double digit material. The Puy Mary is an extinct volcano of roughly 6.5 millions years old, surrounded by even more extinct volcanoes of the Auvergne region. The finish lies at an elevation of 1,589 metres.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, as mentioned, the first three riders to reach the summit of the Neronne are awarded 8, 5 and 2 seconds.
Another interesting read: results 5th stage 2020 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2020 stage 13: routes, profiles, more
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Refreshing, inspiring, exciting at this time of the pandemic — the gorgeous French countryside, the familiar voices of the commentators Bob Roll and Phil Liggett. Watching these great athletes is amazing…hope the tour is not too brutal in terms of endurance as the display of athleticism along with the scenery- dabbled light through the trees – the final push to Col de Neronne! May the best rider win.There are no borders when it comes to athletes.Thank you Tour de France for overcoming many obstacles but remaining a classic event.