Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 18: Last chance for climbers
foto: Cor VosThe 18th stage of the Tour de France is an open invitation to mountain goats to plan a long range attack. After a flat run-in the finale includes the Tourmalet and the final haul-up to Luz Ardiden with hardly any valley road in between. (Slideshow route/profile)
The 18th stage is merely 130 kilometres long and the first phase is virtually flat before the final mountainous battle rages.
The Tourmalet has thrown up its fair share of compelling racing since it was first introduced in 1910. In fact, the pass is the most included climb on the Tour de France. The 2021 inclusion marks the 88th time.
The riders enter the Tourmalet in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. On this side, the climb adds up to 17.1 kilometres, while the average gradient sits at 7.3%. The finish climb into Luz-Ardiden is similar, although somewhat shorter: 13.3 kilometres at 7.4% .
Given the relatively flat first phase, it should be easy to control the break. And given the fact that Pogacar is in a perfect postion to win both the yellow jersey, polka dots and young rider classification – which is he also did last year -, we’ll opt for a similar scenario as in the 17th stage.
Favourites stage 18 Tour de France 2021
*** Tadej Pogacar, Richard Carapaz, Jonas Vingegaard
** David Gaudu, Nairo Quintana, Bauke Mollema, Michael Woods
* Dylan Teuns, Wout Poels, Pello Bilbao, Kenny Elissonde, Geraint Thomas
Another interesting read: route 18th stage 2021 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2021 stage 18: profiles
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Route stage 18: Pau - Luz-Ardiden - Tour de France 20 The Route - Tour de France 20 Riders - Tour de France 20 Withdrawals - Tour de France 20 Favourites - Tour de France 20 GC Favourites - Tour de France 20 More articles Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route ITT (m/w)
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Start list + times ITT – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Start list + times ITT – women
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route road race – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Riders road race – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route road race – women
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Riders road race – women
Clásica de San Sebastián 2024: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2024: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 1: Rotterdam - The Hague
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 2: Dordrecht - Rotterdam
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 3: Rotterdam ITT
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 4: Valkenburg - Liège
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 5: Bastogne - Amnéville
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 6: Remiremont - Morteau
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 7: Champagnole - Grand-Bornand
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 8: Grand-Bornand - Alpe d'Huez
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Vuelta 2024: Riders
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 1: Lisbon - Oeiras
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 2: Cascais - Ourém
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 3: Lousã - Castelo Branco
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 4: Plasencia - Pico Pitolero
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 5: Fuente del Maestre - Seville
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 6: Jerez de la Frontera - Yunquera
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 7: Archidona – Córdoba
Cycling Calendar 2024
Tour de France 2024: Withdrawals
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!