The 2025 Tour de France is fast approaching, with just 80
days separating cycling fans from the Grand Départ on July 5. But for French
supporters in particular, all eyes will be on Stage 10, set to take place on
July 14, Bastille Day, a date that traditionally carries extra emotional weight
during the Tour.
While the Tour is often associated with scorching summer
heat, the destination of Stage 10, Le Mont-Dore, is currently blanketed in
snow. Images released on the Tour's official social media channels this week
show the mountaintop covered in white, despite it being mid-April.
For now, it makes for a breathtaking sight. Maybe even
Primoz Roglic will for once manage to say on his bike longer than the rest at
the Tour as he is of course an accomplished skier…
Le Mont-Dore sits in the heart of the Massif Central,
perched on the right bank of the Dordogne River. Known more for its thermal
spas and ski slopes than for Grand Tour finishes, it will be the dramatic
conclusion of a tough and unpredictable day in the saddle.
Stage 10 features a 163km route from Ennezat to the summit
of Le Mont-Dore – Puy de Sancy. The profile includes 4,400 metres of climbing,
with no less than seven categorised climbs. The road is rarely flat, turning
the stage into a constant up-and-down grind that could see both breakaway
specialists and GC contenders come to the fore.
It’s a terrain made for chaos: punchy ascents, narrow
descents, and barely a moment to breathe. A nightmare for some, a dream for
others. With such variety, it offers a real opportunity for the more
aggressive, explosive riders to do some damage.
Classics-style riders could relish the rhythm of the stage,
but its difficulty makes it almost certain to feature some key GC moves, or at
the very least, some serious pressure applied by the major contenders. As the
race hits the second week, the general classification will start to take shape,
and Stage 10 could be the moment where the battle for yellow truly ignites.
And if the rugged middle portion of the stage doesn’t create
separation, the finale surely will. The last 3.3 kilometres average a stinging 8%
gradient, a brutal final test that should see the main contenders test one
another before the Pyrenees arrive later in the race.
All that remains is for the weather to cooperate. For now,
Le Mont-Dore looks more ready for ski season than a Tour de France finish, but
with 89 days to go until Bastille Day, there’s still plenty of time for the
snow to melt and the roads to dry.
❄️❄️❄️ 89 days before the finish of stage 10 of the #TDF2025, Le Mont Dore is still covered in snow!
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) April 16, 2025
❄️❄️❄️À 89 jours de l'arrivée de la 10ème étape du #TDF2025, Le Mont Dore est toujours sous la neige ! pic.twitter.com/N9KQFmPsLi
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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