The Tour de France is reaching its climax as the peloton prepares for the last mountain stage of this year’s race. The iconic „Stará dáma“ (Old Lady) slowly makes her way towards the finish line, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to this year’s program. With the riders gearing up for the penultimate stage, cycling enthusiasts are in for a treat with the breathtaking finale that awaits them.
The 20th stage of the Tour de France 2024, scheduled for Saturday, July 20th, promises to be a challenging one. Following yesterday’s royal stage that took the riders up to 2,800 meters above sea level, the upcoming stage is set to be another high-altitude spectacle. While it may be the shortest stage in terms of distance, the cyclists will face a grueling 4,600 meters of elevation gain. Will Tadej Pogačar deliver another stellar performance on the mountainous terrain?
The route for the 20th stage will take the riders back to the high mountains, starting from the historic Masséna square in the coastal city of Nice. The 132.8-kilometer route includes four categorized climbs, culminating in the finish at Col de la Couillole. This challenging ascent has been the site of previous epic battles, including Tadej Pogačar’s victory in the 2023 Paris-Nice race.
The stage features several notable climbs, including Col de Braus, Col de Turini, Col de la Colmaine, and the final ascent to Col de la Couillole. These climbs offer varying degrees of difficulty, with steep gradients and stunning views along the way. The riders will have to dig deep to conquer these mountain passes and reach the finish line.
As the stage unfolds, all eyes will be on the favorites, including Tadej Pogačar and Richard Carapaz. Pogačar, with a comfortable lead in the general classification, will be looking to maintain his position, while Carapaz aims to challenge for the stage win. However, with the unpredictable nature of mountain stages, an unexpected breakaway could also shake up the race, with riders like Adam Yates, Joao Almeida, and Simon Yates in contention.
In the overall standings after the 19th stage, Tadej Pogačar holds a commanding lead, followed by Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. The battle for the green jersey in the sprint competition is led by Biniam Girmay, while Richard Carapaz leads the mountain classification.
As the riders tackle the final mountain stage of the Tour de France 2024, fans can expect a thrilling display of athleticism and determination. With the yellow jersey on the line and the mountain challenges ahead, the stage is set for a memorable conclusion to this year’s race. Don’t miss out on the excitement as the peloton races towards the finish line in this epic showdown.