Stage 14 marks the final act in the Pyrenees, and it’s the hardest day yet. With 4,950 metres of climbing across four major ascents, including the Col du Tourmalet and a summit finish at Luchon-Superbagnères, this 183km stage will shape the general classification heading into the final week. It’s a direct throwback to the 1986 Tour, where Greg LeMond famously caught and dropped Bernard Hinault on the very same sequence of climbs.
From Pau to Superbagnères, there is barely a moment of respite in the second half of the stage. The famous Circle of Death returns in full, and for any rider chasing yellow or polka-dots, this is one of the last real chances to make a move.
The route – Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde and Superbagnères
After a gradual rise to the intermediate sprint in Esquièze-Sère at kilometre 70.1, the climbing begins in earnest. First up is the Col du Tourmalet (19km at 7.4%), tackled from Luz-Saint-Sauveur, less commonly used but no less brutal. It’s the 90th appearance of the iconic climb in Tour history, and the first rider over the top will earn the Souvenir Jacques Goddet.
A long descent is followed by the Col d’Aspin (5km at 7.6%) and Col de Peyresourde (7.1km at 7.8%), both in quick succession. These will test already tired legs before the final climb.
The Luchon-Superbagnères summit finish (12.4km at 7.3%) hasn’t featured since the 1980s, but it returns with serious bite. The final 1.5km kicks up to 10%, making it a puncheur’s paradise and a GC test all in one. The finish line sits at altitude above the spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, marking the end of three brutal days in the mountains.
What’s on offer
Date: Saturday, 19th July
Distance: 183km
Start/Finish: Pau – Luchon-Superbagnères
Sprint:
Esquièze-Sère (km 70.1)
Climbs:
Col du Tourmalet (HC, km 89.5) – Souvenir Jacques Goddet
Col d’Aspin (cat. 2, km 119.3)
Col de Peyresourde (cat. 1, km 150.1)
Luchon-Superbagnères (HC, km 182.6)
Prediction
Tadej Pogačar is the obvious pick. After wins at Hautacam and the Peyragudes TT, he’s in complete control of this Tour. With the form he’s shown, and a summit finish that suits his punchy style, we expect him to complete a hat-trick of Pyrenean stage wins.
