The final road stage of the 2025 Tour de France serves up a 184km route through the Jura, a region known for its rugged hills and irregular terrain. The high Alps may be behind the riders, but this penultimate stage from Nantua to Pontarlier is no mere procession. With nearly 3,000 metres of climbing and four categorised ascents, it offers one last real chance for riders to take a stage win before Paris.
It’s a day made for opportunists. The GC fight may have cooled after the Alpine tests, but with many teams still winless, expect a huge battle to get in the breakaway. Punchy, aggressive riders will have been eyeing this one all week – and they’ll need to act early, with two climbs packed into the opening 50km.
The route – punchy climbs and narrow roads in the Jura foothills
The stage begins in Nantua, tucked at the base of the Jura mountains, and kicks up almost immediately. After a short neutral zone, the peloton hits the Col de la Croix de la Serra (12.1km at 4.1%), a long drag that may prove decisive in shaping the day’s early break. That’s quickly followed by the Côte de Valfin (5.7km at 4.2%), a slightly steeper ascent that should see the strongest escapees begin to consolidate their lead.
The middle of the stage remains lumpy and unrelenting, with only brief respites. The intermediate sprint comes in Chaux-du-Dombief (km 72.3), but with the green jersey already decided, it’s unlikely to alter much. Instead, all focus turns to the terrain, which only becomes trickier in the final hour of racing.
The decisive phase begins with the Côte de Thésy (4.3km at 6.1%) at kilometre 121.6, the steepest climb of the day, and then the Côte de Longeville (3.4km at 5.3%) with 24km remaining. From the top, the run-in to Pontarlier is mostly downhill or flat, but features narrow, twisting roads before opening up for a slightly rising final kilometre.
What’s on offer
Date: Saturday, 26th July
Distance: 184km
Start/Finish: Nantua – Pontarlier
Sprint:
- Chaux-du-Dombief (km 72.3)
Climbs:
- Col de la Croix de la Serra (cat. 3, km 24.7)
- Côte de Valfin (cat. 4, km 45.1)
- Côte de Thésy (cat. 2, km 121.6)
- Côte de Longeville (cat. 4, km 160.1)
Prediction
After weeks of selfless work, Quinn Simmons looks primed to take his shot. The American has been prominent in multiple breakaways, and this punchy, unpredictable terrain suits his style. With Lidl-Trek free to chase stages now that Milan’s green jersey is secure, Simmons should have full licence to go for it. If he makes the move, he has the power and race sense to finish the job.
