The 2024 Tour de France promises to be a unique edition, starting with its Grand Depart in Florence and Emilia-Romagna, just across the Italian border. Breaking from tradition, the race will conclude in Nice, marking the first time in many years that the finale will not be in Paris. Scheduled from June 29th to July 21st, let's preview the upcoming stage.
Another day for the sprinters, even if it includes perhaps more climbing than some would hope for. It's a treacherous day as the riders head into the base of the Pyrenees, the hilly start will provide an opportunity for the breakaway whilst the sprinters will look to take the glory on the day.
In sum, another headache for the pure sprinters who just want a flat day and their best chances in a bunch sprint, but have to tackle a string of annoying hilltops. A fast start is expected, with none less than four small ascents where strong rouleurs are expected to make a move. This is a day where a breakaway can succeed with no doubt and so a furious start is expected. The peloton will have to ride a good pace all throughout the day in order to never give it much freedom; but simultaneously they would likely want to not close it too much because it will motivate attacks in the latter climbing section.
With 43.5, 38.5 (1.6Km; 6.1%), 30 (1.8Km; 6.6%) and 24.5 (0.8Km; 6.6%) kilometers to go there is the summit of four small ascents, all in quick sequence. This can serve for a few teams to really push the pace hard - if they do, a few sprinters can certainly be dropped - but also for attacks to come off the peloton with an hour of racing left. With high mountain stages ahead, this will be the last opportunity in a while for a few riders to give it a shot, so we cannot discard that possibility.
After which it calms down, and there is time to reorganize. The riders descend slightly and head into Pau, a very familiar host city of the Tour. Fun fact, it is the third city with the most starts/finishes of Tour history with 74, only behind Paris and Bordeaux. Number 75 (and 76 on tomorrow's start) await the peloton. This time around a sprint, which will be technical.
The final kilometers take place within the city but it will really be important to be at the front into the final kilometer. With 1.1 kilometers to go there is a 90-degree left corner, with 800 meters to go a roundabout and slight right-hander, and with 500 meters to go a full-speed slight turn to the left where there will be no breaking but no opportunity to overtake. At this point we are already almost in the final sprint and those caught out of position will struggle to recover. This is one for the experienced and strong leadouts.
The Weather
Prediction Tour de France 2024 stage 13:
***
**
*
Pick:
Place comments
0 Comments
You are currently seeing only the comments you are notified about, if you want to see all comments from this post, click the button below.
Show all comments