Can a rugged course, hours, Wout Van Aert? The 20th step in questions

The 20th and penultimate stage of the big loop, between Nantua and Pontarlier, will be carried out on an uneven course on Saturday.

France Télévisions – Sport writing

Published the 25/07/2025 18:35

Reading time: 2min

A hilly course on the program of the day stage on the Tour de France! (Margaux Moroch / Franceinfo: Sport) — A hilly course on the program of the day stage on the Tour de France! (Margaux Booch / Franccinefo: Sports)

No more mountain. The peloton runners have left the mountainous paths and are now heading for the final sprint, which will take place on the Champs-Elysées. But before this last stage, they will have to travel 184.2 km from an injured course, from Nantua to Pontarlier, Saturday July 26. Plchars should therefore be there.

What profile?

A breakaway formed quickly enough? While the runners will start from Nantua, they will meet fairly quickly – from the 25th kilometer – opposite the Col de la Croix de la Serra (12.1 km at 4.1%). The head of racing should be born in this ascent. A second difficulty – the Côte de Valfin (5.7 km at 4.2%) will be chained.

The profile of the 20th stage of the Tour de France 2025, between Nantua and Pontarlier. (ASO)

After several kilometers of respite, the peloton will once again face two new difficulties – the Côte de Théy (3.6 km at 8.9%) and the Côte de Longeville (2.5 km at 5.5%) – in the last third of the race. The battle in the last kilometers before arrival in Pontarlier, should therefore be done with the best pucckers of the peloton.

What favorites?

More Mathieu van der Poel in the vicinity since his abandonment, Tadej Pogacar (Uae Team Emirates Xrg) could have the head of a favorite. But the yellow jersey seems to be slightly dull at the end of the big loop. Result, Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease A Bike) seems to be well placed to play victory, like Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty).

Other pelleton piloters will be able to try to win, such as Ben Healy (EF Education-Easypost). On the French side, Kévin Vauquelin (Arkea-B & B Hotels) is also looking for his first stage victory in this edition, but Romain Grégoire (Groupama FDJ) and Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) could have more field than him.