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.

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.

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.

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.

**** Tadej Pogacar

*** Jonas VIngegaard, Geraint Thomas

** Nairo Quintana, David Gaudu, Sepp Kuss

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