"It can't be compared to a Mont Ventoux" - French pro on the climb that might decide the Tour de France

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."