Tour de France stage 14 preview: Pogacar and co face brutal Vosges showdown
After several relatively controlled days, the Tour de France returns to the high mountains with a punishing stage through the Vosges. The overall contenders may not all be targeting the stage victory, but major time gaps appear inevitable on the road to Le Markstein.
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Stage 14 | Mulhouse - Le Markstein (155.61km)
With four categorised climbs and almost no flat terrain, stage 14 promises to be one of the most demanding days of the Tour so far.
The riders will tackle the Grand Ballon, the Col du Page and the Ballon d’Alsace before the decisive Col du Haag. Its irregular gradients and proximity to the finish could provide the perfect launchpad for another attack from the yellow jersey group.
Key information:
- Start: 13:30 (CET)
- Estimated Finish: 17:24 (CET)
- Stage type: Mountain
- Stage length: 155.61km
- Elevation gain: 3658m
Follow stage 14 live at Domestique with our live reporting.
Route
The stage opens with around 15 kilometres of flat roads, which is virtually the only straightforward section of the entire route.
The climbing begins with the Grand Ballon. The ascent comes in several sections, starting with 7.7km at 6.8 percent, followed by a rolling 6.6km section and another 6.4km at 7.8 percent. An eight kilometre plateau follows, taking the riders past the finish area for the first time.
A technical descent leads towards the Col du Page. This climb is also broken into several sections, with 6.7km at 5.8 percent, a short descent and a difficult final 1.6km at 8.1 percent.
The peloton then heads towards the Ballon d’Alsace, which features for the second consecutive day. The 8.9km climb averages 6.9 percent and is followed by a descent that becomes steeper and more technical towards the bottom.
Two uncategorised climbs come next, the Col du Schirm and the Col du Hundsruck, before the riders approach the final major test of the day.
The Col du Haag is 11km long at an average gradient of 7.3 percent. Its irregular profile could cause significant damage, especially after such a demanding day.
A six kilometre plateau then leads to the finish at Le Markstein.
Key points
- Intermediate sprint - 143.5km to go
- Grand Ballon | 1st category - 20.2km at 4.9% - 119.1km to go
- Col du Page | 2nd category - 9.6km at 4.8% - 84.3km to go
- Ballon d'Alsace | 1st category - 8.9km at 6.9% - 61.1km to go
- Col du Haag | 1st category - 11km at 7.3% - 6km to go
Scenario
Much will depend on the intentions of UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
The route is difficult enough for a strong breakaway to fight for victory, particularly with several elite climbers already out of contention for the general classification. However, UAE have repeatedly shown that they possess the strength to control even dangerous groups.
The final climb suits Tadej Pogačar, while the plateau towards the finish could allow him to continue gaining time after an attack. The Slovenian may see the stage as an opportunity to strengthen his lead over Jonas Vingegaard and the other podium contenders.
A large breakaway is likely to form during the aggressive opening phase, but its chances of surviving will depend on whether UAE decides to chase.
Favourites
Tadej Pogačar is the clear favourite. The relentless climbing suits the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader, while the steep and irregular Col du Haag gives him an ideal platform to attack. His powerful team should also be capable of controlling the race and closing down the breakaway.
Pogacar’s teammate Isaac Del Toro remains well placed in the general classification and is still competing for a podium position. His performance will be closely watched after he appeared less comfortable during stage 10 to Le Lioran.
Jonas Vingegaard is expected to be Pogacar’s closest challenger. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader looked strong in stage 10 and has suggested that his form could improve as the Tour progresses following his participation in the Giro d’Italia. This stage also offers him an opportunity to distance the other podium contenders.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have two major classification threats in Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz.
Evenepoel produced a difficult performance to interpret during stage 10. He was dropped on a relatively gentle climb, recovered and then accelerated away from his rivals on the uphill finish. Stage 14 should reveal whether he was managing his effort or already approaching his limit.
Lipowitz has shown remarkable consistency throughout the race. He has yet to display a clear weakness and should benefit from a stage containing so much climbing.
Juan Ayuso is another serious podium contender. After a disrupted preparation, the Lidl-Trek leader appears to be improving as the race progresses. Stage 14 will provide another important test of his condition.
His teammate Mattias Skjelmose remains well placed overall, although the severity of this stage may expose the difference between him and the strongest pure climbers.
Paul Seixas continues to impress in his first three week Grand Tour. The young Decathlon CMA CGM rider has already demonstrated his enormous potential, but repeated mountain stages could begin to test his recovery and endurance.
And what can Tom Pidcock do on this stage after his victory on Friday? One thing is certain: the Pinarello-Q36.5 rider is unlikely to be given any freedom now that he sits fourth in the general classification, meaning any bid for another stage win will have to come from the group of GC contenders. With Pidcock, anything is possible, although his efforts in stage 13 are likely to have taken a significant toll.
For the breakaway, Richard Carapaz is one of the most dangerous options. The EF Education-EasyPost rider is no longer a major general classification threat, which could earn him the freedom to attack. His aggressive racing style makes him a natural candidate for such a difficult stage.
Valentin Paret-Peintre could also target the breakaway. The Soudal Quick-Step climber has looked strong throughout the race and has combined climbing performances with extensive work for his teammates on flatter stages.
Other riders to watch include Lenny Martinez of Bahrain-Victorious, Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman of Netcompany-Ineos, and Tobias Halland Johannessen of Uno-X Mobility.
Domestique Stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pogacar
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vingegaard
⭐⭐⭐ Evenepoel, Ayuso, Lipowitz
⭐⭐ Del Toro, Seixas, Carapaz, Paret-Peintre
⭐ Skjelmose, Martinez, Pidcock, Bernal, Johannessen
🃏 Arensman
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