After the presentation of the complete guide and the favorites to follow for the distinctive jerseys, it’s time for the mountains and the passes not to be missed on this 111th edition of the Tour de France. From Florence to Nice, the organizers offer 6 mountain stages spread over 4 mountain ranges. Here is the list of climbs not to be missed!
Stage 2 – Cesenatico / Bologna (200 km) – Côte de San Luca (1.9km at 10.6%)
The second stage of the Tour de France 2024 will offer tricky terrain in Emilia-Romagna, encouraging punchers to take action. Well known to aficionados of the Giro dell’Emilia, the San Luca hill, 2km long at 10.6% will be a perfect ramp for punching climbers. It will have to be climbed twice and the 2nd passage should offer us a thrilling scenario since the summit is located 13km from the finish. With its 15% ramps, we should see the favorites move but be careful, you will have to hold on for the remaining km!
Stage 4 – Pinerolo / Valloire – Col du Galibier (8.6km at 6.5%)
A first explanation in the high mountains that comes very early, with 4,400 meters of altitude difference to face from the fourth day. The peloton will finish with the traditional and legendary Galibier pass ; certainly on its easier side via the Col du Lautaret, but be careful: placing a pass so high in altitude (2,642 meters) while the scenario can push Pogacar to want to eliminate his opponents very quickly, tickles our attention. You will have to follow this step with interest!
It is from the Col du Lautaret, at an altitude of 2,000 metres, that things get tough. 8.5 km at 6.5% to cover on a high-mountain road and rough tarmac. If the road is relatively smooth, the altitude combined with a high pace can cause serious damage. We remember that it was on these slopes that Bernal built his success on the Tour in 2019. Be careful with this last kilometre with passages at 12%, the gaps can be made there before attacking the descent to Valloire!
Stage 11 – Evaux-les-Bains / Le Lioran – Col du Puy-Mary (5.4km at 7.9%)
The Massif Central is in the spotlight on this 11th stage. The last 50 km are terrible and after wearing out the bodies with the short but difficult Col de Néronne, thee Puy Mary and its enormous percentages will explode the peloton!
Puy Mary is short (5.4km), not necessarily high (1,589m) but it continues to increase in difficulty as you get closer to the summit. The last two kilometers show some really nasty canines (one kilometer at 12.4% followed by another at 12.1%). Pogacar had already distinguished himself there in 2020 by winning all the other favorites (except Roglic). If he feels like it, he will then have a fantastic playground to widen the gaps all the way to Lloran!
Stage 14 – Pau / Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet – Pla d’Adet (10.6 kilometers at 7.9%)
Here is the first real arrival at altitude, after 14 stages! After having chained the climbs of the Tourmalet and the Hourquette d’Ancizan, place to Pla d’Adetwhich the runners had not climbed since 2014. We will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Poulidor’s victory there.
The climb is characterized by very high percentages from the first ramps. The gradient of the first 4 km is around 10-11% and the few turns prevent any recovery. It is here, on these high percentage sections, that the favorites will have to make the difference because the road softens before rearing up again on the last km. The Plat d’Adet is unforgiving, you will have to be strong to take the psychological upper hand on this first arrival at altitude (1,669m).
Stage 15 – Loudenvielle / Plateau de Beille – Col de Menté (9.3 kilometers at 9.1%)
The next day, the adventurers will have something to show off with an ideal start to the stage for them: after having climbed the Peyresourde pass right away, they will continue with the Menté pass at km 42. It is on Menté that the breakaway should form and succeed in taking off. The battle should be intense there.
Approached from its steepest side, the Col de Menté (9.3 kilometers at 9.1%) is a pass with demanding percentages. So yes, we won’t go very high (1349m), but the average percentage sets the tone: for the bold, this is where you’ll have to focus your efforts!
Stage 15 – Loudenvielle / Plateau de Beille – Plateau de Beille (15.8 kilometers at 7.9%)
This 15th stage ends in style with the arrival at the summit of Bee Plateau ! Here is the Plateau de Beille on the Tour after 9 years of absence! This long 16km climb will act as the judge of peace for the queen stage.
With its 15.8km at an average of 7.9%, the fight between the favourites promises to be beautiful and intense, especially since the climb offers no respite and there are many sections at more than 10%! The stages ending at the Plateau de Beille have often given rise to remarkable finishes, the 2024 stage should delight us with its scenario!
Stage 17 – Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux / Superdévoluy – Col du Noyer (7.5 kilometers at 8.1%)
In a finale similar to the Lioran stage, the arrival at Superdévoluy will probably reward a rookie. The finale is made difficult by the ascent of the too little used Col du Noyer (only 4 ascents since 1970).
The Col du Noyer (7.5 kilometers at 8.1%) has steep and sustained slopes. Aesthetically magnificent, it is here that the favorites should fight if they have the legs and the desire, the finale at Superdévoluy being too fast. If gaps are to be created, it will be on this magnificent Col du Noyer! Also, although the stage has all the ingredients for a triumphant breakaway, the bonus seconds allocated to the summit of Le Noyer could encourage leading teams to try it.
Stage 19 – Embrun / Isola 2000 – Cime de la Bonette (22.9 kilometers at 6.9%)
If there is one climb not to be missed, it’s this one! The final bouquet of this Tour de France 2024 begins in the Alps with the return of the Bonnette Peakthe highest road in Europe perched at 2802 meters above sea level.
A little gem of aesthetics, its sporting stakes are not the least since it presents 22.9 kilometers of ascent at 6.9% average. It’s a generally regular climb but be careful: we are in the 3rd week, the runners have no certainty about their fatigue. You will obviously have to manage the altitude on this dizzying road. The last ramp 800 meters from the mountain classification line, where the points will be doubled, is the most formidable (11.6% average).
The climbers and other favorites have a golden opportunity to make a difference. We are salivating in advance.
Stage 19 – Embrun / Isola 2000 – Isola 2000 (16.1 kilometers at 7.1%)
After the Cime de la Bonette, the riders will have to tackle the climb of Isola 2000, located on the route to Lombardy Pass.
Justice of the peace of this legendary stage (on paper), Isola 2000 (16.1 kilometers at 7.1%) will see the strong men triumph at its summit (arrival at 2024m). After 40km of descent, the runners will immediately hit the ramps of Isola, the first 9km being the hardest! The transition is likely to be painful and you will have to hold on to hope to recover on the smoother sections. Whatever happens, the gaps will be significant at the finish!
Stage 20 – Nice / Col de la Couillole – Col de la Couillole (15.7 kilometers at 7.1%)
The 20th stage promises fireworks in the southern Alps. The sequence Col de Turini, Col de la Colmiane and Col de la Couillole is optimal, with almost no valley and can offer us a final legendary mountain stage.
The Col de la Couillole (15.7 kilometers at 7.1%) will be the justice of the peace for this last mountain stage. Littering the Mercantour natural park, the pass has only rarely been used by the Grande Boucle roads. Only the 1973 and 1975 editions crossed its routes, without being the place of arrival.
In the summer heat, the Col de la Couillole offers the riders a last hope of glory. The ultimate shoulder-to-shoulder battle should take place there. Not to be missed under any circumstances!
