The first 19 kilometres go virtually all uphill, although at shallow gradients. Expect the battle for the breakaway to be intense. It could very well last until the first proper climb, which is the Montée de Mont-Louis. The riders tackle the 8.4 kilometres climb at 5.7% after almost 80 kilometres.
KOM points are up for grabs at kilometre 86.3, but the ascent continues – false flat – until skiresort Font-Romeu is reached at an elevation of 1,783 metres, which lies 8.5 kilometres further.
The riders descend into the valley, only to go straight back up again. From base to summit the Col de Puymorens is approximately 20 kilometres long, but the gradients are shallow. The last 5.9 kilometer go up at 4.6%.
A short descent and then the riders climb into Andorra via the Port d’Envalira, which is a 10.7 ascent with an average gradient of 5.9%. The first rider at the summit wins the Souvenir Henri Desgrange, as this marks – at 2,408 metres above sea level – the highest point of the 2021 Tour de France.
A 19 kilometres descent leads into Encamp and continues onto the the decisive climb of the day. The Collada de Beixalis is 6.4 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 8.5%. The first half rises at more than 10% and features sections up to 15%.
The finale of the 15th stage is a 14.8 kilometres drop down into Andorra la Vella.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, 8, 5 and 2 seconds are available at the Col de Beixalis.
Another interesting read: results 15th stage 2021 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2021 stage 15: routes, profiles, more
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