The sting is in the tail in the Massif Central

The riders are gradually heading south again and on day eleven of the Tour de France, they encounter the Massif Central. In a stage from Évaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran, the peloton covers 211 kilometers. The decisive moments come towards the end, as the final fifty kilometers feature four short, steep climbs that shape the finale.

The race kicks off on July 10 in the Creuse department. Évaux-les-Bains, with its 1400 inhabitants, sets the stage for the start. It's a pleasant place to be, as the second part of its name might suggest. The town is renowned for its thermal baths, dating back to Roman times. Great for bathing? Check. Known for the Tour? Not so much. This is only the second time that the Creuse department has hosted a start or finish for the grand tour. Guéret had the honor of hosting the finish in 2004.

Twenty years later, the riders depart from Creuse for the first time. Four climbs and 211 kilometers later, they cross the finish line in Le Lioran. The ski resort lies at the foot of the Plomb du Cantal, the second-highest peak in the Massif Central. The last time the Tour finished here, Greg Van Avermaet secured both the stage win and the yellow jersey from a breakaway.

There are many similarities between that stage in 2016 and the eleventh stage of the 2024 Tour. Just like eight years ago, the stage starts with a relatively flat section. This allows the breakaway group to build their lead. It's only after 150 kilometers that the road starts to climb significantly. What follows is a rapid succession of the day's four climbs, similar to the 2016 stage.

These climbs include the Col de Néronne (3.8 km at 9.1%), Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol (5.4 km at 8.1%), Col du Perthus (4.4 km at 7.9%), and Col de Font de Cère (3.3 km at 5.8%). While none of these climbs are extraordinarily long, the steep sections, reaching up to 12% gradient, promise thrilling action. After reaching the top of Col de Font de Cère, there's still 2.5 kilometers to the finish. Most of it descends, but the last few hundred meters rise at 6%.

In total, this mountainous stage involves 4200 meters of climbing. The final fifty kilometers are all about climbing and descending. Climbers with adventurous legs see this as a prime opportunity to claim a stage victory, but contenders for the overall classification must remain vigilant. A single aggressive move here could cost crucial time.

10 Jul 2024	Tour de France - Stage 11
3 Aug 2005	Paris-Corrèze - Stage 2
30 Sep 2001	Paris-Corrèze - Stage 3

23 Aug 2023	Tour de l'Avenir - Stage 4
18 Aug 2020	Tour du Limousin - Stage 1

Évaux-les-Bains(Creuse)