Stage 16: Carcassonne to Foix
A day for a break but also the GC riders after another rest-day at the Tour de France.
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Pyrenean start
With a full rest day behind them and two of the toughest mountain stages just ahead, don’t expect the GC leaders to make a big deal of this first day in the Pyrénées. They will be happy to see a breakaway succeed and reserve their strength for the monster climbs ahead. Even the stage route looks designed for those riders and teams who have so far missed out and are seeking a stage win.
The opening 110 kilometers include a couple of small climbs and a sprint that will allow a break to establish an unassailable lead, perhaps 10 minutes or more, while the two Cat. 1 climbs should see the decisive attacks from the break. The Mur de Péguère is very steep, very narrow, and access will be prohibited to the public, as was the case in 2017. But the summit is located 27 kilometers from the finish, which is too far out to imagine the leaders launching a big attack.