Stage 16: La Tour-du-Pin to Villard-de-Lans
Those GC riders who lost out on stage 15 will get a chance for breakaway today, as the presence of two early categorized climbs serves as a springboard for a daring raid. The hilltop finish comes just 20km after a punishing ascent of Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte.
Start: 7:20 am EST
Est. Finish: 11:38 am EST
Stage 16 preview
Course: Riders return from the rest day to find another punishing day in the Alps, with a finish that isn’t quite decisive, but could eliminate more stars from the GC battle. The peloton tackles 3,531 total meters of climbing today across the Col de Porte, Côte de Revel, and the punishing category 1 Montée de Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte. The summit of that climb falls 20 kilometers from the final push to Villard-de-Lans, so any GC stars distanced on the ascent could see their hopes at yellow vanish.
Favorites: Alejandro Valverde, Tadej Pogačar, Richie Porte
Jens Voigt’s take: Today will be another day for a strong breakaway, a tough profile with the Col de Porte and a hilltop finish just 20 km after a pretty serious climb. I expect to see Tony Gallopin in the break today! For the GC riders this is a really important day with the tough stage finish. Precious seconds can be earned today.