Because stages 19 and 20 will push them over all those high Alpine peaks, it’s likely the top riders will save their energy for that. Plus, the final part of the race to Barcelonnette isn’t too tough, so the potential time gained isn’t worth the effort.
Still, it’s set to be an exciting race, with a fierce battle expected for the breakaway. There are five climbs spread evenly along the route. Starting with the Col du Festre (3.9 kilometers at 6.3%) after about 30 kilometers, climbing continues on the Côte de Corps (2.1 kilometers at 7.2%), Col de Manse (5.1 kilometers at 3.7%), Côte de Saint-Apollinaire (7 kilometers at 5.5%), and Côte de Demoiselles Coiffées (3.6 kilometers at 5.4%). There’s 40.4 kilometers left to race at that last summit.
After a few flat kilometres, the riders descend to the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon, the second largest artificial lake in Europe. From the southernmost point of the reservoir, the road ascends 2.7 kilometres at 4.5% to Le Lauzet-Ubaye, followed by another 16 kilometres of gentle uphill to Les Thuiles.
The final 9 kilometres of stage 18 are entirely flat.
As mentioned, we anticipate an attacker to prevail in Barcelonnette. Will it be from a small group or solo…?
Favourites 18th stage 2024 Tour de France
*** Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Matej Mohoric
** Ben Healy, Magnus Cort, Anthony Turgis, Axel Laurance
* Danny van Poppel, Michael Matthews, Romain Grégoire, Paul Lapeira
Another interesting read: route 18th stage 2024 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2024 stage 18: route, profile, video
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