Profile, timetables, who to deprive Tadej Pocagar from a triumph at Mont Ventoux? The 16th stage in questions

The day after a day of rest in Montpellier, the peloton took the Alps road with a full -bodied stage, concluded by an arrival at the top of the legendary Mont Chauve on Tuesday.

Towards a fifth success for Tadej Pogacar on this edition? At the start of this 16th stage from Montpellier, where the peloton observed one day of rest the day before, the Slovenian yellow jersey is the big favorite for the victory at the top of Mont Ventoux, Tuesday July 22. Unless a climber is doing well by slipping into a breakaway.

What profile?

Just over 130 kilometers of Hérault dish in Provence via the Gard, before the road suddenly rises for a last hour in hell. This is what awaits the runners always engaged in this 112nd large loop. If the arrows of the peloton will be able to compete for a few points for the green jersey with the intermediate sprint of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, they should then drink the chalice to the lie during the final ascent of the legendary Vaucluse pass (15.7 kilometers at 8.8% average). After a shaded part in the forest with percentages around 10%, the end of the race will take place in the lunar decor characteristic of the Ventoux with the finish line placed at 1,910 meters above sea level, well after the Reynard chalet.

What favorites?

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) was disinterested in the great Pyrenean stage on Saturday at the top of Superbagnères. But this time, he could well hunt a fifth bouquet on this 2025 tour, the 22nd in total to allow him to integrate the top 5 of the most victorious men in the history of the race at the level of the stages. But the yellow jersey could see his plans upset by Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike, 2nd to 4'13 “), which he only dropped in Hautacam in the high mountains so far. The Danish can also remember the 2021 edition, where he had distant the Slovenian on the pedal on the slopes of the giant of Provence.

In the case, still little credible, where the “Pogi” team would not drive to keep a possible escape within reach of an acceleration, the French and pea jerse Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious), the Dutchman Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) or the Canadian Michael Woods (Israel-Prime Tech) could play their personal card.

What are the hours?

Start of the retransmission (on France 2 and france.tv) : 12h00

Fictive departure: 12:10 p.m.

Real departure: 12:40 p.m.

Estimated passage at the foot of the slope towards Mont Ventoux: 3:34 p.m.

Provisional arrival: 4:44 p.m.