The course of the eighteenth stage, a “monster” with three climbs outside the category in the Alps

An arrival at the top in the literal sense and figuratively. The eighteenth stage of the Tour de France, Thursday, July 24, takes the peloton on the roof of this edition: the Col de la Loze (Savoie), which rises to more than 2,300 meters above sea level. It was on his slopes, in 2023, that the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar had definitely lost the test in the benefit of his Danish rival, Jonas Vingegaard. Before the 26.4 kilometers of ascent (6.5 %average, excluding category), runners will have to cross two other beautiful pieces: the Col du Glandon (21.7 kilometers at 5.1 %, excluding category) and the Col de la Madeleine (12.2 kilometers at 7.9 %, excluding category).

The queen stage of this 2025 vintage is an ideal playground to dig general differences. It is also particularly scrutinized by candidates for the polka dot jersey of the best climber, with 80 points distributed in total in the mountain classification. “The figures are intractable (…) with 5,500 meters of cumulative positive elevation » At the end of the day, recalls the director of the race, Christian Prudhomme.

The real departure is given at 12:20 p.m., for an expected arrival around 5.30 p.m.