Preview: 2014 Tour de France — Stage 13

Saint-Etienne to Chamrousse (197.5km)

Friday, July 18th 6:10 a.m. – 11:06 a.m. EDT

Contrary to what some might think when looking at the route, this is a mountain stage, and the favorties will be mistaken if they take it lightly. Most of the day’s difficulties are concentrated in the final 50 kilometers, beginning with the ascent of an unknown pass, the Col de Palaquit, as the riders approach the final hour of racing. It certainly won’t be a walk in the park: 14.1km of climbing with plenty of testing ramps. It could produce a big selection before the final climb towards Montée de Chamrousse, which extends to 18.2km at an average of 7.3 percent.