Stage 14 - Col du Tourmalet
Tarbes to Tourmalet Barèges
Despite being one of the shortest stages (just 117.5km) this is a very demanding cycle with 3 categorised climbs and a finish over 2100 metres (almost 7000 feet). After a relatively sedate category 4 climb toward the start of the stage Tony will have to negotiate the category 1 Col du Soulor at the half way point. This climb is just under 12 km with an average incline of 7.8%. Following the descent from the Col du Soulor and an uphill cycle of about 20km Tony will hit one of Le Tour's "highlights" the Hors Categorie climb, Col du Tourmalet (19km at 7.4%).
The Col du Tourmalet is the most visited pass in Le Tour, with its inclusion in the 2019 Tour being the 87th time it has been used. However this year is only the third time a stage has finished at the top of the pass, the others being in 1974 and 2010.
Despite recent British success in Le Tour, only once has a British rider led over the top of the pass. Phillipa York (born Robert Millar) achieved the feat in 1989 when she was the first across the top of all 4 climbs in stage 10, going on to win the stage. She is also the first professional cyclist to have publicly changed gender.
Drink of the day is a little known Madiran red - Château de Gayon Madiran don Barrinquet.
Song of the day - Joe Le Taxi by Vanessa Paradis.
Despite being one of the shortest stages (just 117.5km) this is a very demanding cycle with 3 categorised climbs and a finish over 2100 metres (almost 7000 feet). After a relatively sedate category 4 climb toward the start of the stage Tony will have to negotiate the category 1 Col du Soulor at the half way point. This climb is just under 12 km with an average incline of 7.8%. Following the descent from the Col du Soulor and an uphill cycle of about 20km Tony will hit one of Le Tour's "highlights" the Hors Categorie climb, Col du Tourmalet (19km at 7.4%).
The Col du Tourmalet is the most visited pass in Le Tour, with its inclusion in the 2019 Tour being the 87th time it has been used. However this year is only the third time a stage has finished at the top of the pass, the others being in 1974 and 2010.
Despite recent British success in Le Tour, only once has a British rider led over the top of the pass. Phillipa York (born Robert Millar) achieved the feat in 1989 when she was the first across the top of all 4 climbs in stage 10, going on to win the stage. She is also the first professional cyclist to have publicly changed gender.
Drink of the day is a little known Madiran red - Château de Gayon Madiran don Barrinquet.
Song of the day - Joe Le Taxi by Vanessa Paradis.
Comments
I don't know this wine, Stato, so thanks for the recommendation.