As the Tour enters its final week, the stakes escalate with every pedal stroke. The Pyrenean gauntlet gives way to the legendary slopes of the Alps, where classic climbs like Mont Ventoux, Col de la Loze, and La Plagne await. The GC contenders have no room for error, the sprinters will scrap for every remaining opportunity, and the breakaway artists eye glory amid exhaustion. From Pau to Plagne, history is waiting to be rewritten.
Stage previews for Stages 14 to 19
Stage 14 – July 19, 2025 | Pau – Luchon-Superbagnères (182.6 km) | Mountain Stage
The Queen Stage of the Pyrenees. Riders face a brutal trio of climbs: the legendary Col du Tourmalet (19 km at 7.4%), the deceptively sharp Col de Peyresourde (7.1 km at 7.8%), and the final ascent to Luchon-Superbagnères (12.4 km at 7.3%). The finale overlooks Luchon like an eagle’s perch—windswept, exposed, and unforgiving. It was here that Robert Millar shone in 1989, and where José Manuel Fuente and Federico Bahamontes carved their names into Tour folklore. Expect the GC to be shaken to its core.
Previous stage winners at Luchon-Superbagnères:
1989 | Robert Millar
1986 | Greg LeMond
1979 | Bernard Hinault
1971 | José Manuel Fuente
1962 | Federico Bahamontes
1961 | Imerio Massignan
Stage 15 – July 20, 2025 | Muret – Carcassonne (169.3 km) | Hilly Stage
The transition continues through Occitanie as the peloton leaves the high mountains behind—temporarily. Rolling terrain favors breakaways, though the sprinters' teams may try to seize control if the gradients prove manageable. Carcassonne has seen all kinds of winners: the raw power of Cavendish in 2021, the cool aggression of Magnus Cort in 2018, and the relentless drive of Yaroslav Popovych in 2006. A day for the bold and opportunistic.
Previous stage winners in Carcassonne:
2022 | Jasper Philipsen
2021 | Mark Cavendish
2018 | Magnus Cort
2006 | Yaroslav Popovych
1981 | Raleigh (TTT)
1962 | Jean Stablinski
1951 | André Rosseel
1947 | Lucien Teisseire
Rest Day – July 21, 2025
Stage 16 – July 22, 2025 | Montpellier – Mont Ventoux (171.5 km) | Mountain Stage
Few climbs command as much reverence as the Géant de Provence. After a warm-up through the vineyards and lavender fields, the peloton tackles Mont Ventoux: 15.7 km at a blistering 8.8%. Heat, wind, and solitude define this mountain. Froome soared in 2013, Pantani danced in 2000, Poulidor ground it out in 1965. There’s no place to hide here. The winner will be whoever best tames the bald mountain.
Previous stage winners on Mont Ventoux:
2013 | Chris Froome
2009 | Juan Manuel Gárate
2002 | Richard Virenque
2000 | Marco Pantani
1987 | Jean-François Bernard (ITT)
1972 | Bernard Thévenet
1970 | Eddy Merckx
1965 | Raymond Poulidor
1958 | Charly Gaul (ITT)
Stage 17 – July 23, 2025 | Bollène – Valence (160.4 km) | Flat Stage
A day for the fast men—if their teams can keep the break in check. With winds possible across the Rhône valley and tired legs after Ventoux, it may not be a straightforward drag race. Valence has hosted some of the best sprinters of their eras: Cavendish in 2021, Sagan in 2018, and Greipel in 2015. Expect a high-speed battle for positioning before the final dash to the line.
Previous stage winners in Valence:
2021 | Mark Cavendish
2018 | Peter Sagan
2015 | André Greipel
1996 | José Jaime González
Stage 18 – July 24, 2025 | Vif – Col de la Loze (171.5 km) | Mountain Stage
The Alpine onslaught begins with a triple bill: Col du Glandon (21.7 km at 5.1%), Col de la Madeleine (19.2 km at 7.9%), and the formidable Col de la Loze (26.4 km at 6.5%)—a cruel and modern monster. At altitude, gradients spike brutally above 20% in places. It was here in 2020 that Miguel Ángel López took flight in the thin air. Expect fireworks among the GC favorites and possible implosions on the steepest ramps.
Previous stage winners on Col de la Loze:
2020 | Miguel Ángel López
Stage 19 – July 25, 2025 | Albertville – La Plagne (129.9 km) | Mountain Stage
Short, sharp, and savage. The penultimate mountain stage is packed with classic Alpine climbs: Col des Saisies (13.7 km at 6.4%), Col du Pré (12.6 km at 7%), and a brutal summit finish on La Plagne (19.1 km at 7.2%). It was on these slopes that Laurent Fignon twice rode to glory, and where Michael Boogerd won the day in 2002. With the GC nearing its climax, this stage could be a launchpad—or a trapdoor.
Previous stage winners at La Plagne:
2002 | Michael Boogerd
1995 | Alex Zülle
1987 | Laurent Fignon
1984 | Laurent Fignon
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