Riders will face searing heat on the 205-kilometre Tour de France stage on Sunday, with a heat wave sending temperatures up to 40°C. But, despite the Extreme Weather Protocol, the stage is expected to go on as scheduled.
Race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) is unlikely to face the type of attacks that second-placed Tadej Pogačar launched on stage 14.
Travelling south through rolling terrain from Rodez to Carcassonne, this stage nonetheless favours the sprinters – though a strong breakaway could thwart their plans.
Only two climbs, the Côte d'Ambialet and the Côte des Cammazes, are classified, both in the third category, but there are numerous other climbs along the way. Mountains classification leader Simon Geschke (Cofidis) won't be threatened by the four points on offer, since he holds a seven-point lead over Louis Meintjes.
But as the Côte des Cammazes crests 48km from the finish and the course is only interrupted by a few hills from there on and completely downhill or flat on the last 25km, the sprinters' teams should be able to get their trains on the rails and reel in any remaining escapees.
On the run-in to Carcassonne along the Canal du Midi, the peloton has to negotiate a roundabout with 3800 metres to go, then there is a sharp turn just before the flamme rouge followed by two 120-degree turns on the final kilometre, one about 600 metres from the finish, the other with 200 metres to go.
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Lukas Knöfler started working in cycling communications in 2013 and has seen the inside of the scene from many angles. Having worked as press officer for teams and races and written for several online and print publications, he has been Cyclingnews’ Women’s WorldTour correspondent since 2018.
