Three climbs are on the program for the day, between Pau and Laruns (162.7 km) with the ascents of the Cols de Soudet (15.2 km at 7.2%), Ichère (4.2 km at 7%) and of Marie Blanque (7.7 km at 8.6%). The Pyrenees land on the route of the Tour de France which will arrive for the 3rd time in Laruns, a stage which inspires the Slovenians (victory of Primoz Roglic in 2018, of Tadej Pogacar in 2020 who signed his first stage victory on the Grande Boucle during a stage… Pau-Laruns). The percentages will offer the favorites and the others an ideal field of expression to do battle.
The fictitious start will be given at 1:05 p.m. and the real start at 1:25 p.m. Arrival scheduled between 5:21 p.m. and 5:51 p.m.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on France 3, before moving to France 2 from 3 p.m. On Eurosport 1, from 12:45 p.m.
“The question is whether we will have a show with the duel between Pogacar and Vingegaard … or a breakaway with Pinot in it. Thibaut is there to win a stage but everything will depend on how he is mentally. We know that’s its weak point, but when it’s good, you can see very good Pinot. I make it my favorite. Tomorrow, I hope we will see an outsider hit a big blow that could allow him to play an important role for the general in Paris behind the two favorites, Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Pau lands on the Tour route for the 74th time (only Bordeaux 82nd passage this year and Paris were more present). Julian Alaphilippe had signed a breathtaking time trial there in 2019. In the Bois Louis, Philippe Tissié stadium, the Tour of the Giants is an open-air museum which aligns the totems of the winners of the Tour. A spectacular yellow gallery. During a stage that will pose 3400 m of cumulative elevation gain: “You also have to be a good downhiller, be a real mountaineer to win. Lower finishes were also needed, but as close as possible to the last pass. Laruns meets the ideal conditions “, summarized Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour, on France Bleu.
Foie gras, of course, but also black Bigorre pork (an exceptionally tender meat, sometimes called the black gold of the Pyrenees) accompanied by a glass of Jurançon. In Laruns, you can opt for a suckling lamb before attacking a cheese from Ossau.
Not in a long climb but in a small bump, a passage that pushes the riders to lift their buttocks from the saddle to swallow the obstacle. Not to be confused with the dancer position, prolonged effort to climb a longer difficulty.
Example: “Guys, on the climb to the Ruchère, no need to put on a dancer. You just kick ass to stay in touch, understand? »