Preview - Tour de France 2022 stage 11

Stage 11 of the Tour de France will see the riders head into the high Alpine ascents. The Alps come before the Pyrenees this year, and the short 151-kilometer day into the Col du Granon can see serious differences and rearrange the overall classification.

The start in Albertville is flat, with an intermediate sprint closeby, and the Lacets de Montvernier will be the first climb of the day around 50 kilometers in. However it will be a mere warm-up for what’s to come.

This will be a crucial day for the overall classification, perhaps the first true high-mountain clash between the main favourites of the race, who have so far remained compact until the final few meters of all summit finishes.

The riders will head up the Souvenir Henri Desgrange. Although going up it again the following day, on stage 11 the Col du Galibier will be climbed via the Col du Telegraphe. The Telegraphe is 11.9Km long at 7% average gradient, and the proper ascent to the Galibier will be 17.6Km long at 6.8%. This enough is already a brutal combination, but it gets worst: The toughest ramps come near the top along it’s many hairpins, and it will take the riders into 2630 meters of altitude. This can be a true challenge to many, and although most will surely wait until the final climb, weaknesses can be exposed and seized – it also is summited with 45 kilometers to go.

What will follow is a very fast descent into Briançon, technical at first, but very simple and easy to chase on in it’s majority. Right before reaching the town, the riders turn left into a surprising addition. The Col du Granon will be the finale of this day, with 11.9 kilometers averaging 8.6%. A very steady climb with harsh gradients and a summit at 2404 meters of altitude. It’s a decisive stage, despite it’s early order in the race.

**** Tadej Pogacar

*** Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic

** Geraint Thomas, Enric Mas, Romain Bardet

* David Gaudu, Adam Yates, Nairo Quintana, Damiano Caruso