The first mountain finish of the 109th Tour de France is a tough one. The Super Planche des Belles Filles in the Vosges mountains has huge climbs at the end.
Overall leader Tadej Pogacar wants to win the 176.3 kilometre stage starting in Tomblaine: "Of course I want to win there. It's a special climb for me."
Gravel on the ski piste
The final climb is only seven kilometres long, but it's a tough one. Firstly, the steepest sections of 20 and 24 per cent come right at the end. And to make the whole thing a little more difficult, the entire ascent, which is actually designed as a ski slope, has not been tarmaced. This means that the pros also have to struggle over a few metres of gravel.
Urska at the finish line
The climb to the Planche is special for Tadej Pogacar anyway. In 2020, he won the Tour de France there by winning a stage on the penultimate day. And the motivation should be just right this time too. "My girlfriend will be at the finish line and my parents will also be there," said Pogacar. His girlfriend Urska Zigart is also a professional cyclist.
Opportunity for Kämna
Lennard Kämna won the first mountain finish at this year's Giro d'Italia. The 25-year-old could pull off a similar coup at the Tour. His team Bora-hansgrohe wants to send a rider into a breakaway, and Kämna is predestined for this with his qualities on the mountain. Most sports directors are also expecting a group to come through.
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