The start is a dream for the sprinters, but that changes into a nightmare after 70 kilometres when they hit the Tourmalet (19 kilometres at 7.4%). Right after the descent, it’s uphill again, this time to the summit of the Hourquette d’Ancizan (8.2 kilometres at 5.1%). The riders then descend to Guchen, and after a few kilometres in the valley, it’s time for the final climb.
The ascent from Saint-Lary-Soulan to the top of the Pla d’Adet is 10.6 kilometres long and averages 7.9%.
Obviously, the course is perfect to put pressure on your rivals for the yellow jersey. However, with the next stage featuring four category 1 climbs and a final HC climb, it’s likely that the GC riders will keep their powder dry. We assume that the Pla d’Adet stage will be all about the attackers.
If it unfolds this way, stage 14 is a perfect chance to salvage things for riders who started the Tour with GC ambitions but fell behind. Plus, of course, for those who’ve been eyeing success in the mountains from the start.
But then, you never know. It could also be that the GC contenders go full throttle in the race to Pla d’Adet.
Favourites 14th stage 2024 Tour de France
*** Romain Bardet, Wout Poels, Ben Healy, Richard Carapaz
** David Gaudu, Derek Gee, Simon Yates, Oier Lazkano, Oscar Onley
* Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida, Adam Yates
Another interesting read: route 14th stage 2024 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2024 stage 14: route, profiles, video
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For sure Pogacar will try to win this stage and gain extra seconds. He will lose almost 1 minute on stage 15 and the jersey on the TT