16/04/2023

PREVIEW | Tour de France 2024 stage 20

The 2024 Tour de France will mark a special edition, commencing with its Grand Depart in Florence and Emilia-Romagna, just across the border in Italy. Breaking from tradition, the race will conclude in Nice instead of Paris, marking the first time in many years for such a finale. Scheduled from June 29th to July 21st, let's preview the upcoming stage.

Stage 20 will be the final day in the mountains for the Grand Boucle, short in distance however it'll be in the Alpes Maritimes that it'll take place, a rough day with four categorized climbs including the Col de Braus, Col de Turini, Col de la Colmiane and the Col de la Couillole - all frequent appearances as the queen stages at Paris-Nice.

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PREVIEW | Tour de France 2024 stage 20 — Stage 20: Nice - Col de la Couillole, 133 kilometers

All constant climbs with short distances. Ordinarily not a day to make massive differences, but it's stage 20 of the Tour and the day after a beastly mountain stage so more can happen here than what is usually the case. The riders start off in Nice and after a few kilometers, tackle their first big challenge: the Col de Braus. 10.2 kilometers at 6.3%, it ends with 109 kilometers to go. The breakaway of the day should be formed here.

Next up the hardest climb of the day in my opinion, the longest of the day as well which is the Col de Turini. 20.8 kilometers at 5.7%, it's final 12 kilometers average 7% and the summit is at 1600 meters of altitude. The climb ends with 73.5 kilometers to go but no big moves are expected here however.

Next up the Col de la Colmaine which is 7.5 kilometers at 6.9%. Nothing too special about it, but it will add to the difficulty of the day and not provide the riders with restbite ahead of the final ascent. This one ends with 37.5 kilometers to go.

Finally, the Col de la Couillole. The last true mountain of this year's Tour and also the final summit finish of the race. The climb is 15.8 kilometers at 7.3% which is quite hard. It's very constant however, but the gradients will be enough for serious attacks to be dealt.