Can you believe we are into the final week of the Tour? It’s certainly been a dramatic one–especially in the last few days, both off and on the velo.
The final week of the Tour de France begins with the race’s only individual time trial, a 26.1-km test from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains that could still shake up the general classification before the Alps take centre stage.
Stage 16 TT
Tuesday’s contre le montre is hardly a flat power test. The boys in France face nearly 500 m of climbing, with the biggest obstacle coming almost immediately after leaving the start ramp. There’s a nasty 9.6-km second-category climb averaging 4.2 per cent will force the specialists to pace themselves before a fast descent back toward Lake Geneva. It’s never fun to do climbs, since the machines are made for speed.
The final nine kilometres are much flatter, perfect for riders who can still produce big power after the climb.
Evenepoel vs. Pogačar
Few riders fit that description better than Remco Evenepoel. The Olympic and world time trial champion has looked stronger as the race has gone on and will see this stage as his best opportunity to take another victory. If anyone can challenge Tadej Pogačar against the clock, it is the Belgian.
Evenepoel took a great stage win on Sunday, although it’s unclear if Pogi’s heart was in it, given the crash and abandonment of his rival (and pal) Jonas Vingegaard.
Still, the uphill opening section plays to the world (road) champ’s strengths, and after two weeks of tenderized legs could matter just as much as outright time trial ability. With the Dane out of the race, Evenepoel now sits second, a full five minutes behind. Isaac del Toro, Pogi’s Mexican teammate on UAE is in third, almost six minutes behind. The Great French Hope, Paul Seixas, riding in his first Grand Tour, is in fourth, 6:23 behind.
You can tune into the TT on Flobikes.com. As always, check back on Canadian Cycling Magazine for a report and photos.