It doesn't come much tougher than this - one Hors Categorie, four cat 1 cols and one cat 2 climb that adds up to 54km of climbing and an average gradient of 7.96% - that also adds up to plenty of pain! Riders will pass the monument to Fabio Casartelli, killed on the Col du Portet d'Aspet in 1995, where the peloton will most likely slow down to pay its respects as it rides past. It's then on to the Col de Mente, Portillon, Peyresourde, Val-Louron Azet before finishing up Lat-d'Adet in St-Lary - Soulan. The climbs are evenly spaced out, and it's pretty clear to see what everyone is in for - plenty of mountains that don't necessarily reach great heights, but do so very quickly.
Stage 15 will probably serve as the ultimate selection day, and look for Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, and maybe Rasmussen to fight it out for the stage and GC honours.
-
'I am very proud to be here' - Ben O'Connor debuts with Jayco AlUla in Volta Valenciana
European season steps up in Spain and France, while the women's WorldTour heads to the UAE -
Étoile de Bessèges 2025 start list
Mads Pedersen returns to defend his title -
Etoile de Bessèges past winners
Champions from 1971 to 2024 -
Millionaires and minimum wage: Inside the new landscape of WorldTour pro cycling salaries
As the salaries of the top pro cyclists continue to rise, Cyclingnews sheds light on just how much some top riders earn, the lucrative bonuses on offer, and whether those further down the ladder are keeping up
