Thursday 24: 12:10–12:20 → 17:10–17:50
This is the first of the 2 Alpine stages. There is not much true flat in the approach of the first climb, it's more often false flats. All 3 climbs are ranked 'HC', the last one (Loze Pass) is not particularly steep but is very long (and being the highest of the tour, it brings twice as many mountain points as other HC climbs). Its final part is irregular on a narrow asphalted track, however this side of the pass seems easier than the Méribel side which was climbed in 2020 and 2023.
The flat valley before the last climb may allow a bit of strategical play if a team has managed to send help in a breakaway, and managed to separate his leader from his opponent. But even so, would those 15 km (10 miles) significantly impact a race with 5,500 metres of elevation gain (18,000 feet)?
Carlos Rodriguez (Inéos), 10^th^ place in GC, will not start today, after crashing twice yesterday (first time when Alaphilippe hit the hay of the road shoulder, second time in the final major crash).
Same fate for Barthe (FDJ), first man down in the final crash, who was also doing a rather good Tour (for his limited abilities).
Rough go for Carlos. I forgot he was in the first crash to begin with but yeah, that one at the end yesterday was gnarly.