Yet another compelling opening is in the offing. Firstly, the breakaway is likely to succeed. Secondly, the route is challenging from the start.
The route descends from the gun, but only short, and then the Côte de Saint-Juste Malmont is sure to inspire a flurry of attacks. The climb is 7.7 kilometres long and averages 3.9%, which suits the skillset of a wide variety of riders. Following a rolling section, with two short downhills, the next climb appears after 36 kilometres. The Côte de Châtaignier is more punchy – 2.9 kilometres at 7.3%.
The route continues to go either up or down for the rest of the day, although two climbs stand out. The Côte de Grandieu is 6.3 kilometres and averages 4.1% and the Côte de la Fage is 4.2 kilometres and averages 6%. After cresting La Fage the riders plunge down a long descent towards the Grande Finale.
For starters, the riders face the wall-like Côte de la Croix Neuve – 3 kilometres long and ascending at more than 10%. There is still 1.7 kilometres on the flat remaining at the top. The home straight is situated on the runway of Mende Airfield.
Favourites 14th stage 2022 Tour de France
*** Wout van Aert, Maximilian Schachmann, Matej Mohoric
** Michael Matthews, Dylan Teuns, Lennard Kämna, Andreas Kron
* Tim Wellens, Jasper Stuyven, Dylan van Baarle, Andrea Pasqualon
Another interesting read: route 14th stage 2022 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2022 stage 14: routes & profiles
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