Stage 19 featured a signature win for general classification leader Tadej Pogačar to take first grasp of his hold on the Maillot Jaune.
Stage 20 of the 2024 Tour de France is a crucial mountain stage that could potentially decide the overall winner of the race. The stage starts in Nice and finishes atop the Col de la Couillole, covering a distance of 132.8 kilometer with 4,600 meters of total elevation gain. Despite its relatively short length, this stage features four significant mountain climbs, making it a challenging day for the riders.
The first climb comes at the Col de Braus, which is categorized a Category 2, covering 19 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.6%. The second climb of the day is the longest, at the Categroy 1 categorized Col de Turini, lasting 20.7 kilometers at a 5.7% average gradient. The final two climbs of the day will be shorter, but steeper and also Category 1 categorized. The penultimate climb up the Col de la Colmiane last 7.5 kilometers at an average gradient of 7.1%, and the final climb of the day to the finish will be up the Col de la Couillole, lasting 15.7 kilometers also at an average gradient of 7.1%. There will also be an intermediate sprint 87.8 kilometer into the day.
The stage is reminiscent of Paris-Nice, with three of the four climbs having featured as finishes in recent editions of that race. The final climb, Col de la Couillole, was the site of Tadej Pogačar's victory in the 2023 Paris-Nice as well.
Given its challenging profile and position as the penultimate stage of the Tour de France this year, this could be a decisive day for the general classification contenders. The short distance combined with multiple tough climbs is likely to encourage aggressive racing, potentially reshaping the overall standings before the final stage.
Pogačar may look at this as another stage in which he can emerge victorious, to make a true statement at the 2024 Tour de France and relive his glory from the 2023 edition of Paris-Nice.
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