The Tour stays in the Alps on Stage 18. Running 179.5kms from Briancon to Izoard, this is the last chance for climbers to have glory. Further, this is likely the last major chance for GC men to try to gain buffer time over rivals more skilled at time trialing.
The intermediate sprint occurs at 91.5kms in Les Thuiles. This late occurrence in the stage, however, will make it difficult for a sprinter to earn major points. There are also three categorized climbs:
• Km 60.0 – Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées (3.9kms; 5.2%) – category 3
• Km 129.5 – Col de Vars (9.3kms; 7.5%) )- category 1
• Km 179.5 – Col d’Izoard (14.1kms; 7.3%) – category H
This is another high day in the mountains, and some men will battle with the thin air. The first half of the stage shouldn’t be too difficult other than the exception of the fact that the peloton is tired after 3 long weeks of riding and a hard previous stage. When the riders approach the Col du Vars (last used in 2000), however, the uphill tilt of the remaining of the stage could prove to be a bit of a shake up. Then, the Izoard’s uphill finish may well be the last chance for major attacks.