"It can't be compared to a Mont Ventoux" - French pro on the climb that might decide the Tour de France
Cycling
Alex Baudin has spent time in the lead of the Tour de Romandie this year and came close to winning at the Criterium du Dauphiné - where he saw head-on what Tadej Pogacar's climbing prowess looked like. Now at the Tour de France he will aim for stage wins and has described what might be the toughest climb of the race: The Col de la Loze.
"No, it can't be compared to a Mont Ventoux. It's such a special climb because you can't get into a rhythm. Especially in the last phase, it becomes relatively flat and then very steep, and it keeps going like that," Baudin explained to Wielerevue. "Maybe pure climbers like that, but riders who want to keep a steady pace will have a hard time on the Col de la Loze. It's not a fun climb for that group."
The Col de la Loze will headline stage 18 of this year's race, the penultimate mountain stage. It will come after the very long and difficult Col du Glandon and Col de la Madeleine, and total 26.3 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.5%. However the gradients are far from even or consistent all the way up. Besides the 2300 meters of altitude at the summit - coinciding with the finish line - there will be inhuman ramps of up to 20% in the final kilometers.
It's a climb that several riders have gone to recon, but training wise the 24-year old does not really advise it. "It's just really hard. If you're doing a gentle workout, you shouldn't go there anyway. On that climb, you have to keep pushing more than 300 watts in some parts, otherwise you'll just fall over."
"My advice for amateurs? Don't go," he jokes. "No, choose the right gear so you can get into a certain cadence. Otherwise it will be a nightmare. You'll need a light gear. But be careful: it's worth it, because the Col de la Loze is a beautiful climb. Once you're in the ski area, you're above the tree line, and at the top you have beautiful views."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
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- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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