This year’s Tour de France is so tough that it might just turn everything upside down in the final few days. Especially given the totally different preparation of the pre-race top contenders for the GC.
However you slice it, Pogacar spent lots of energy in the Giro, and it remains uncertain how that will translate after another three-week Grand Tour. Meanwhile, Evenepoel, and especially Vingegaard were compelled to adopt a markedly different approach after their crash in the Basque Country. They began their journey in Florence with little to no racing rhythm. How will that translate after three weeks of high intensity racing?
Well, to be honest, things look very bright for Pogacar, but you never know. The route of the 19th stage certainly offers plenty of opportunities to bring out the sledgehammer. After a flat start, the Col de Vars serves up 18.8 kilometres of climbing at an average gradient of 5.7%. That sounds easier than it is. Besides being long, the road rises 8% in the first 5 kilometres. There’s a good chance the breakaway will form in that section.
The long ascent brings even longer descent in its wake. But once down in the valley in Jausiers, it’s straight back up again. The Cime de la Bonette tightens the screws even more: 22.9 kilometres at 6.9%. It’s a fairly steady climb, though the sixth kilometre from the top averages 9.4% and the final kilometre hits double digits.
In nearly 40 kilometres, riders descend to Isola, where they face the final challenge. The climb to Isola 2000 rises over 16.1 kilometres with an average of 7.1%. The first half is the toughest, especially the first two kilometres. The first kilometre climbs at 10% and the second at 10.5%. Later on, the seventh and eighth kilometres throw in average gradients of 10% and 9%, respectively.
Favourites 19th stage 2024 Tour de France
*** Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard
** Richard Carapaz, Remco Evenepoel, João Almeida, Adam Yates
* Romain Bardet, Carlos Rodriguez, David Gaudu, Matteo Jorgenson
Another interesting read: route 19th stage 2024 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2024 stage 19: profiles, videos
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