Published July 12, 2026 11:31AM
Aurillac – Le Lioran: 166.6km / 3800m+
Two years ago at the Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard pulled off an improbable sprint win against Tadej Pogačar. Vingegaard profited after his rival put in a big attack on the first category Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol but then appeared to get the hunger knock.
Pogačar weakened dramatically and was caught by Vingegaard on the cat. 1 Col de Pertus, then was edged out in a tight sprint.
Both of those climbs return this year, being preceded by a trio of cat. 3 ascents plus the second category Col de la Griffoul.
It’s a very draining day in the saddle and even if the last of the day’s seven climbs is just a category 3, the accumulated fatigue will put riders under real pressure prior to a very short drop down to the finish line.
Being Bastille Day, things will be even more frantic, with every French rider in the peloton being extra motivated to win.