The peloton leaves the Pyrenees behind on stage 15 and turns east for a transitional 169km run from Muret to Carcassonne. With 2,400m of climbing and three categorised ascents, it’s a lumpy route that doesn’t suit the pure sprinters but could tempt a breakaway or favour a strong finisher who climbs well.
Coming after three tough mountain days, most teams will be looking for respite. Few will want to chase, and that could hand the initiative to opportunists or sprinters who can survive over short climbs. The rest day tomorrow only adds more incentive for riders to empty the tank.
The route – a rolling ride to Carcassonne
From the start in Muret, the stage rolls gently through Occitanie, with a series of undulations building towards three ranked climbs. The intermediate sprint comes early, at Saint-Félix-Lauragais (km 59.8), and may attract sprinters with eyes on the green jersey.
Then the road begins to rise. The Côte de Saint-Ferréol (cat. 3) is 2.5km at 4.9%, followed soon after by the Côte de Sorèze (cat. 3), a 6.2km ascent averaging 5.5%. These climbs won’t break up the race, but they may start to shed heavier riders if the pace is high.
The final climb, the Pas du Sant (cat. 2, km 116.6), is the most decisive: 2.9km at a steep 10.2%, followed by nearly 20km of false flat before a long, fast run-in to Carcassonne. It’s a stage that rewards attackers with timing and courage.
Carcassonne itself is a familiar Tour destination, hosting finishes in 2021, 2022 and now 2025. Mark Cavendish and Jasper Philipsen won bunch sprints here on those occasions, but this edition’s approach is hillier, and that history may not repeat.
What’s on offer
Date: Sunday, 20th July
Distance: 169km
Start/Finish: Muret – Carcassonne
Sprint:
Saint-Félix-Lauragais (km 59.8)
Climbs:
Côte de Saint-Ferréol (cat. 3, km 72.8)
Côte de Sorèze (cat. 3, km 86.6)
Pas du Sant (cat. 2, km 116.6)
Prediction
With the GC contenders saving energy and few teams motivated to set up a sprint, expect a strong breakaway to decide this one. Quinn Simmons is a perfect match for this stage – powerful on the flats, explosive on short climbs and aggressive enough to make the right move. If he gets in the break, he has the tools to go all the way.
