Preview - Tour de France 2022 stage 18

Stage 18, the final day in the mountains of the Tour de France. The formula is exactly the same as today’s, with a flat start, short distance and a long sequence of very similar climbs in the second half of the stage. The first 60 kilometers have little to describe, with mostly pan-flat roads leading into the intermediate sprint, and into the hattrick of climbs.

This will be the final opportunity for many to fight for a stage win, aswell as the final opportunity for some of the climbers to make a difference in the race, which makes this a crucial journey.

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Stage 18: Lourdes - Hautacam, 143.2Km

The first is one of the hardest of the race, the Col d’Aubisque, with 17.1Km at 7% average gradient, a very consistent ascent deep into the mountains, with it’s summit with 76.5 kilometers to go. An inconsistent descent follows, but leads directly onto the second climb of the day.

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Col d'Aubisque: 17.1Km; 7% average gradient; 76.5Km to go

Which is the Col de Spandelles. Not as famous as Aubisque, however a tough climb in it’s own right, averaging 8.3% throughout 10.2 kilometers. It summits with 33.5 kilometers to go and will certainly be used to deal further damage in all riders.

Col de Spandelles: 10.2Km; 8.3% average gradient; 33.5Km to go

The final climb will be to Hautacam, the final true climb of the race. It is imagined by the organizers to be the climax of a three-week race in the mountains, with 13.5 kilometers at 7.9%. In evert scenario, a climb hard enough to make serious differences, specially on the 18th day of a Grand Tour.

Hautacam: 13.5Km; 7.9% average gradient

CyclingUpToDate prediction:

**** Tadej Pogacar

*** Jonas VIngegaard, Geraint Thomas

** Nairo Quintana, David Gaudu, Sepp Kuss

* Adam Yates, Enric Mas, Louis Meintjes, Romain Bardet