Category — Le Tour

Rodez > Carcassonne

Distance: 202.5 kilometers.

A Flat stage with two Category climbs and a near summit finish.

• Côte d’Ambialet 68.9 km (Cat 3: 4.4km @ 4.6%)
• Côte des Cammazes 154.6 km (Cat 3: 5.1km @ 4.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 147.0 km at Saint-Ferréol.

Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [Yellow] 59h 58′ 28″
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 378 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 46 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 2

Stage winner: Jasper Philipsen (AFC – 105)
Combative: Nils Politt (BOH – 046 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Jonas Vingegaard lost two of his support riders, Primož Roglič did not start and Steven Kruijswijk had to withdraw after an accident. There are still mountains to climb and Tadej Pogačar is less than two and a half minutes behind him. The heat wave will be a factor, so tomorrow’s rest day is welcome.

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Saint-Étienne > Mende

Distance: 192.5 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with five Category climbs and a near summit finish.

• Côte de Saint-Just-Malmont 14.2 km (Cat 3: 7.7km @ 3.9%)
• Côte de Châtaignier 39.1 km (Cat 3: 2.6km @ 7.3%)
• Côte de Grandrieu 135.3 km (Cat 3: 6.3km @ 4.1%)
• Côte de la Fage 162.1 km (Cat 3: 4.2km @ 6.0%)
• Col de la Croix Neuve Montée Jalabert 191.0 km (Cat 2: 3.0km @ 10.2%)

The intermediate sprint is at 50.7 km at Yssingeaux.

Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [Yellow] 55h 31′ 01″
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 333 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 46 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 2

Stage winner: Michael Matthews (BEX – 201)
Combative: Michael Matthews (BEX – 201 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

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Le Bourg d’Oisans > Saint-Étienne

Distance: 192.6 kilometers.

A Flat stage with three Category climbs and a sprint finish. [Note: The classifications of Flat, Hilly, and Mountain are made by the Tour and not reality or the dictionary.]

• Côte de Brié 33.2 km (Cat 3: 23.0km @ 5.1%)
• Col de Parménie 110.6 km (Cat 2: 29.0km @ 5.2%)
• Côte de Saint-Romain-en-Gal 165.1 km (Cat 3: 13.8km @ 8.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 101.6 km at La Côte-Saint-André.

Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [Yellow] 50h 47′ 34″
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 333 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 43 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 2

Stage winner: Mads Pedersen (TFS – 171)
Combative: Mads Pedersen (TFS – 171 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Warren Barguil (ARK – 152) did not start and Victor Lafay (COF – 075) had to withdraw before the finish. Europe is experiencing a heat wave, so I’m surprised more riders didn’t withdraw.

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Briançon > Alpe d’Huez

Distance: 165.1 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with three Hors Catégorie climbs and a summit finish after the third.

• Col du Galibier 33.2 km (Hors Catégorie: 23.0km @ 5.1%)
• Col de la Croix de Fer 110.6 km (Hors Catégorie: 29.0km @ 5.2%)
• Alpe d’Huez 165.1 km (Hors Catégorie: 13.8km @ 8.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 11.8 km at Le Monêtier-les-Bains.

Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [Yellow] 46h 28′ 46″
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 313 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 43 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 2

Stage winner: Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025)
Combative: Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

This was Pidcock’s first stage win on the Tour and he is the youngest rider, at 22, to summit the Alpe d’Huez. He broke away and was alone for the last 7.5 kilometers.

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Albertville > Col du Granon

Distance: 151.7 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with four climbs and a summit finish after the second Hors Catégorie climb.

• Lacets de Montvernier 49.9 km (Cat 2: 3.4km @ 8.2%)
• Col du Télégraphe 83.8 km (Cat 1: 11.9km @ 7.1%)
• Col du Galibier – Souvenir Henri Desgrange 106.7 km (Hors Catégorie: 17.7km @ 6.9%)
• Col du Granon 151.7 km (Hors Catégorie: 11.3km @ 9.2%)

The intermediate sprint is at 16.5 km at Aiguebelle.

Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [Yellow] 41h 18′ 02″
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 304 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 43 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 3

Stage winner: Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018)
Combative: Warren Barguil (ARK – 152 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

There’s nothing like two huge piles of rocks to shake up a bike race. Vingegaard jumped from second to first with a lead of over 2 minutes, while Pogačar dropped back to third .

Many of those who did not start were disqualified by a positive Covid test.

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Morzine les Portes du Soleil > Megève

Distance: 148.1 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with four Category climbs and a summit finish after more than 20 kilometers of climbing.

• Côte de Chevenoz 24.1 km (Cat 4: 2.2km @ 2.9%)
• Col de Jambaz 69.2 km (Cat 3: 6.7km @ 3.8%)
• Côte de Châtillon-sur-Cluses 97.3 km (Cat 4: 4.5km @ 3.9%)
• Montée de l’Altiport de Megève 145.9 km (Cat 2: 19.2km @ 4.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 123.8 km at Passy-Marlioz.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 37h 11′ 28″
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 284 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 19 points
Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 8

Stage winner: Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146)
Combative: Alberto Bettiol (EFN – 143 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

George Bennett (UAD – 002), Ben O’Connor (ACT – 031), Alexis Vuillermoz (TDE – 188), and Luke Durbridge (BEX – 203) were not able to recover from earlier injuries over the rest day and did not start. The climbs reduced Tadej Pogačar’s lead to 11 seconds. Lennard Kämna (BOH – 044) managed to make up an 8 and a half minute deficit and land just 11 seconds behind the leader.

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Aigle > Châtel les Portes du Soleil

Distance: 192.9 kilometers.

A serious Mountain stage with four Category climbs and a summit finish.

• Côte de Bellevue 37.1 km (Cat 4: 4.3km @ 4.0%)
• Col des Mosses 108.5 km (Cat 2: 13.3km @ 4.1%)
• Col de la Croix 131.8 km (Cat 1: 8.1km @ 7.6%)
• Pas de Morgins 183.1 km (Cat 1: 15.4km @ 6.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 56.5 km at Semsales.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 33 hours 43 minutes 44 seconds
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 284 Points
Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 19 points
Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 7

Stage winner: Bob Jungels (ACT – 036)
Combative: Thibaut Pinot (GFC – 097 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Kasper Asgreen (DQT – 052), Guillaume Martin (COF – 071), and Ruben Antonio Almeida Guerreiro (EFN – 142) failed to make the start. Injuries from earlier crashes are catching up with people.

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Dole > Côte du Stade Olympique

Distance: 186.3 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with four Category climbs and a summit finish.

• Côte du Maréchet 75.6 km (Cat 4: 2.0km @ 5.7%)
• Côte des Rousses 101.3 km (Cat 3: 6.7km @ 5.0%)
• Côte de Pétra Félix 136.9 km (Cat 4: 2.4km @ 5.6%)
• Côte du Stade Olympique 186.3 km (Cat 3: 4.8km @ 4.6%)

The intermediate sprint is at 46.9 km at Montrond.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 28 hours 56 minutes 16 seconds
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 264 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 7

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016)
Combative: Mattia Cattaneo (DQT – 054 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Vegard Stake Laengen (UAD – 004) & Geoffrey Bouchard (ACT – 032) did not make the start, while Kevin Vermaerke (DSM – 118) & Gianni Moscon (APT – 136) had to withdraw. These guys are tough, but their only protection is a helmet. The bikes are a bigger threat than the road.

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Tomblaine > La Super Planche des Belles Filles

Distance: 176.3 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with three Category climbs and a summit finish.

• Col de Grosse Pierre 87.2 km (Cat 3: 3.1km @ 6.4%)
• Col des Croix 205.0 km (Cat 3: 3.2km @ 6.3%)
• La Super Planche des Belles Filles 176.3 km (Cat 1: 7.0km @ 8.7%)

The intermediate sprint is at 101.2 km at Gérardmer.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 24 hours 43 minutes 14 seconds
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 203 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 7

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001)
Combative: Simon Geschke (COF – 073 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Update: Daniel Oss (TDE – 186) did not start Stage 6 because an accident on Stage 5 fractured a cervical vertebra and he will be in a brace for some time. The accident was caused by spectators.

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Binche > Longwy

Distance: 219.9 kilometers.

Time Trial
A Hilly stage with three Category climbs and a 1.6 km climb at 5.2% up Côte des Religieuses to the finish.

• Côte des Mazures 87.2 km (Cat 3: 2.0km @ 7.6%)
• Côte de Montigny-Sur-Chiers 205.0 km (Cat 4: 1.6km @ 4.9%)
• Côte de Pulventeux 214.6 km (Cat 3: 0.8km @ 12.3%)

The intermediate sprint is at 145.9 km at Carignan.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 20 hours 44 minutes 44 seconds
Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 198 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 5

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001)
Combative: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Alex Kirsch (TFS – 174) withdrew and Daniel Oss (TDE – 186) didn’t start. Losses expected after yesterday’s cobblestones.

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Lille Métropole > Arenberg Porte Du Hainaut

Distance: 157.0 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with no Category climbs, but with 11 sections of cobblestones between the 79 km marker and the finish. This portends broken bikes and injured riders.

The intermediate sprint is at 37.2 km at Mérignies.

Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 16 hours 17 minutes 22 seconds
Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 126 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 4

Stage winner: Simon Clarke (ISN – 193)
Combative: Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Jack Haig (TBV – 081) and Michael Gogl (AFC – 103) have withdrawn from the race which is not as bad as I expected. It remains to be seen if some riders don’t make tomorrow’s start. Ineos is only 1 second ahead of Jumbo in the team standings (combined times of the team’s top three riders).

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Dunkerque > Calais

Distance: 171.5 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with six Cat 4 climbs and a downhill finish.

• Côte de Cassel 30.7 km (Cat 4: 1.7km @ 4.2%)
• Côte de Remilly-Wirquin 71.8 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 6.8%)
• Côte de Nielles-Lès-Bléquin 97.2 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 7.7%)
• Côte de Harlettes 102.7 km (Cat 4: 1.3km @ 6.0%)
• Côte du Ventus 123.6 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 4.8%)
• Côte du Cap Blanc-Nez 160.7 km (Cat 4: 0.9km @ 7.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 63.2 km at Lumbres.

Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 13 hours 02 minutes 43 seconds
Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 109 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 3

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016)
Combative: Anthony Perez (COF – 076 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

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Vejle > Sønderborg

Distance: 182.0 kilometers.

A Flat stage with three Cat 4 climbs and a bunch finish.

• Côte de Koldingve 27.3 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 3.4%)
• Côte de Hejlsminde Strand 82.8 km (Cat 4: 0.8km @ 5.5%)
• Côte de Genner Strand 123.3 km (Cat 4: 1.7km @ 3.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 90.5 km at Christianfeld.

Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 09 hours 01 minutes 17 seconds
Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 90 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 6 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 3

Stage winner: Dylan Groenewegen (BEX – 204)
Combative: Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

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Roskilde > Nyborg

Distance: 202.2 kilometers.

A Flat stage with three Cat 4 climbs:

• Côte d’Asnæs Indelukke 62.0 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 5.4%)
• Côte d’Høve Stræde 72.5 km (Cat 4: 0.8km @ 6.0%)
• Côte de Kårup Strandbakke 84.0 km (Cat 4: 1.3km @ 5.8%)

The intermediate sprint is at 126.9 km at Kalundborg and there’s a bunch finish.

Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 04 hours 49 minutes 50 seconds
Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 59 Points
Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 6 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 3

Stage winner: Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051)
Combative: Sven Erik Bystrøm (IWG – 122 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

Jakobsen is wearing the Green because he is second to Van Aert who chose to wear the Yellow.

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