Stage 14: Tarbes -> Tourmalet (117.5 kilometers, mountain)
On the shortest stage of the 2019 Tour de France (besides time trials obviously), the riders aren’t going to have a fun time, or a rest day in any way. Looking at the profile would make any right minded person feel sick to their stomach, and make their legs feel sore. However, for the legs of Bernal and Quintana, who both lost a good chunk of time on the time trial, it should be a great opportunity to attack. The day certainly isn’t easy, especially with 3 categorized climbs:
Côte de Labatmale (cat. 4): 18 kilometers in; 1.4 kilometers long, 6.7% average, 9.2% max
Col du Soulor (cat. 1): 60.5 kilometers in; 11.9 kilometers long, 7.8% average, 11.5% max
Col du Tourmalet (HC): 117.5 kilometers in; 19 kilometers long, 7.4% average, 12.5% max
The Labatmale doesn’t come as a major inconvenience to the riders, and it’s a little bit of a warm up run. However, the second climb, the Soulor will definitely be painful, as it stretches for almost 12 kilometers, with averages of just under 8%. This is where the peloton will be completely annihilated, and only the favorites will remain. However, some people may choose to go into the breakaway, and this stage is definitely one that the breakaway could stay away for. As appeasement for the sprinter, a intermediate sprint does also come in the stage:
Pierrfitte-Nestalas sprint: 86 kilometers in
It comes rather late in the stage, so if green jersey hopefuls do want to go in the breakaway to get points, they will have to survive over the category 1 climb that comes just before it. This stage should definitely have plenty of fireworks, as the GC contenders will look to upset the spectacular form the Julian Alaphilippe is on. Everyone will likely attack everything and anything that Alaphilippe has, probably trying to exhaust his team, and just leave him to fend for himself. Overall, this stage is going to be one heck of a battle, so you should tune into it and watch it, as it has the potential to be one of the most entertaining stages in this year’s tour.