The Pyragudian mountain counter-clutch discussed “with great stress” by certain sprinters

On the short course of the time trial during the 13th stage, the runners will climb the Col de Peyresourde and its eight kilometers to 7.9% on Friday.

Unlike the Caen time trial, that of Peyragudes will not be easy. If on the dish, runners who do not play the general classification can afford not to give themselves 100% to finish in time, the concern is greater before a climbed time, like that of this Friday, July 18. Especially for sprinters, usually distant by the few rockets competing for the first places, which may leave the road to the Tour de France if they arrive out of time.

“The time, I approach it with a lot of stress, we know that it will be difficult”Projected Arnaud Démare on Wednesday, before the Toulouse stage. The Arkéa-B & B Hotels sprinter was eliminated in 2024 to two days from the finish in Paris, for an outstanding deadline on the 19th stage, and does not wish to relive this. Especially since at the front, the great leaders are good at the end of getting the flock to win the slightest second, on an eight -kilometer slope at 7.9% on average. “We must not drag too much either, because there are deadlines to respect, and at the speed at which Tadej (Pogacar) goes up, they will be tight, there are some who are going to be a little afraid”predicts Bruno Armirail (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale), champion of France in the discipline.

The organizers noted the deadlines for 25 to 33% compared to the winner's time, but as Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco Alula) assures him, “It's hard to calculate in advance the time it will have to put, because climbers are going faster and faster. I'm going to do my best, I can't do more”. On an online stage, sprinters can usually count on teammates in the Gruppetto (the last group in front of the Balai car) to help them reach the arrival in time, “But there you are all alone on your bike, you have to press the strongest possible. And when we see what Tadej Pogacar offers us, he is able to dig the differences with his direct competitors, but especially with the runners in the soft belly of the peloton”Yoann Offdo analysis, France TV Sport Consultant.

“I think that a guy like Jonathan Milan and his meter ninety-six, or Jonas Rickaert, who escaped the first week and vomited behind Mathieu Van Der Poel, have an interest in warm up, not to leave with the bogon too much, and do it as if they were playing the win as they simply play the fact of staying in the race”continues the former runner.

The Italian green jersey has already suffered Thursday in Hautacam, finishing almost 42 minutes from the winner Tadej Pogacar, a new carrier of the yellow tunic of leader. In 2023, the last time of the Tour de France in the mountains had only been fatal only one runner out of time, Alexis Renard (Cofidis), after a fall. That day, the profile of the Combloux stage, where Jonas Vingegaard had crushed competition, was not as dry, however – with a downward portion despite the harsh coast of Domancy (2nd category) – as the rise of Peyragudes this Friday, classified in the first category.