Tour de France 2024 Favourites stage 21: Climb chrono for yellow

Last year, Vingegaard took control of the Tour de France with a 22.4 kilometres ITT over rolling terrain, which he nailed perfectly. The route featured one sharp and steep climb, and this year’s route also includes such an ascent. But that’s not the only climb. After a flat opening, the riders climb 8.1 kilometres at 5.6% to La Turbie. Then it’s a descent to Èze, at the foot of the Col d’Èze. This climb is 1.6 kilometres at 8.1%, with the sting in the second half, which averages 10.4%.

The route stays at elevation for 2 kilometres before descending 9 kilometres to Nice. The final 5 kilometres are flat.

While Vingegaard shone in last year’s Tour time trial, Pogacar has a history of excelling in decisive mountain time trials. Four years ago, he unexpectedly took the yellow jersey from Roglic on La Planche des Belles Filles, winning the time trial by nearly 2 minutes and securing his first Tour de France victory the next day in Paris.

Similarly, Roglic pulled off a stunning win in the Giro last year. In the decisive mountain time trial on the penultimate day, he overtook Thomas to claim the overall victory.

It’s impossible to predict what will happen this year. Vingegaard, Pogacar, and Roglic are all exceptional climbers and time trialists. And then there’s Evenepoel, the world champion in the discipline, though this mountainous course might not suit him that well.

Let’s hope the GC is still tight on the final day of the Tour, giving us a nail-biting conclusion, not only for the stage win but also for the overall victory.

Favourites 21st stage 2024 Tour de France

*** Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar
** Primoz Roglic, Remco Evenepoel, Juan Ayuso
* Wout van Aert, Aleksandr Vlasov, João Almeida

Another interesting read: route 21st stage 2024 Tour de France.