Tour de France 2020 Route stage 8: Cazères

Tour de France 2020 Route stage 8: Cazères - Loudenvielle

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Saturday 5 September -The 8th stage on the Tour de France is the first test in the Pyrenees. At 140 kilometres, the race kicks off in Cazères-sur-Garonne to finish downhill in Loudenvielle after three intermediate climbs.

Cazères-sur-Garonne is the train station near Cazères. It will be the first ever visit of the Tour de France. The first 40 kilometer of the race are relatively flat. Then the Col de Menté begins.

The first 7 kilometres of the Menté climb at approximately 3%, but a dramatic shift occurs in Pont de l’Oule. It is here that the ascent really kicks in with a 15.5% ramp to continue with a slope hovering at around 8% all the way to the top. From base to summit, the Menté is 18 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 4.6%.

Up next is the Port de Balès. Effectively, the road begins to slope at kilometre 80, but this is merely a false flat. The climb starts to show its teeth at kilometre 95 and continues to do so for 11.7 kilometres until the riders reach the top. The average gradient on the Port de Balès is 7.7%.

The last climb of the day, Col de Peyresourde, is an old acquaintance of the Tour de France. The ascent, which features in the race since 1910, is accessible from different sides. On 8 September the riders climb the Peyersourde from Saint-Aventin to the top at an elevation of 1,569 metres. This way, the climb is 9.7 kilometres long while the average gradient sits at 7.8%, peaking out to double digits at times. The first three riders over the Peyesourde gain time bonuses of 8, 5 and 2 seconds.

The race concludes with a drop of 8 kilometres into Loudenvielle before the last kilometre is virtually flat.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, as mentioned, the first three pilots over the Peyresourde are awarded 8, 5 and 2 seconds.

Another interesting read: results 8th stage 2020 Tour de France.