Tour de France Tour de France 2023, stage 15: Les Gets - Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, 179.0k

[Devil's Elbow]

The final mountain stage before the rest day features the second finish last used in 2016 in a row. It is also the last MTF of the race, that coming before the final rest day is a first in modern Tour history. Can Pogacar or Vingegaard beat the motors?

Profile

Map

The route
After starting from the ski village of Les Gets, there’s a neutralised descent before the official start at the bottom of Côte de Châtillon-sur-Cluses.

Following a valley, it is time for Col des Fleuries, not the steepest climb but still one where the riders will feel hard done by given that they aren’t getting any KOM points here.

The next portion of the stage rolls along the edge of the Alps with some short climbs, including one through the intermediate sprint.

This is followed directly by the final 7.4 kilometres of the easier side of Col de la Forclaz de Montmin.

The next climb, Col de Marais, is once again uncategorised, RCS would be proud.

It is followed immediately by Col de la Croix Fry, the final 11.8 kilometres of this profile.

After a short, shallow descent, the final 4.5 kilometres of Col des Aravis are tackled.

The route from here to the start of the MTF consists of two descents separated by an uphill false flat through Megève. The MTF consists of two categorised climbs, but really it’s one entity. From the summit of Côte des Amérands, there are three ways of getting to the finish line using this side of Bettex: directly like in the 2016 Tour stage, with a detour through the centre of town like in the Dauphiné stages here, or with a shorter detour halfway into the town. The latter option is used here.

Final kilometres

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Vingegaard is now the last remaining rider in the top-5 without a stage win despite being the yellow jersey, guessing it would be unprecedented if things stay like that until Paris?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Pogačar to drop Vingegaard, who will blame easy stages and short climbs.

 

[IndianCyclist]

The question is which team will now pace for this stage. Both teams have been tired over the last two stages for mere seconds gain. I think UAE since they want to gain the bonus seconds.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Vingegaard will drop everyone and their grandmothers on the final climb, because he mistakes it for the real Mont Blanc and we all know he's the best at altitude.

 

[Izzyeviel]

Vingegaard by over 30 seconds

 

[Valv.Piti]

Pogacar climb. Prolly a 2 km attack into yellow

 

[pelotonIQ]

Profile like a belgian race but instead of hills it's mountains, lovely.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Kuss and Adam Yates should be allowed off the leash here to go for the win, love the stage but big GC gaps aren't likely.

 

[Potomac]

I'm still exhausted from stage 14.

 

[Volderke]

Some tricky curves in the descent of the forclaz…!

 

[fbjim]

As a renowned expert on pro cycling I have absolutely no clue what happens on this stage.

 

[Sciatic]

I'm still exhausted from stage 14.

Amazing there’s still a week to go. Seems like a GT where recovery ability will be the difference maker by the end.

 

[Netserk]

Jumbo rest day. Huge breakaway to fight for the stage.

 

[titan31]

Think we get a break here unless UAE control things. Seems like a stage for a Pogacar sprint win if its a favourite groups at the end.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The stage looks very difficult. I'm not expecting race detonation like today by JV but I feel that on the last climb one of Pogacar or Vingegaard may actually pay the price for today's effort and the whole week and lose some time. A more likely scenario is that they finish together or Pog snatches a few seconds.

 

[fbjim]

Like this is one of those days where we might have an all time stage for professional boring stage whiners, or some completely nuts stuff happens and someone blows for two minutes. No clue

 

[Poursuivant]

GC Stalemate, O’Connor to win from break

 

[RedheadDane]

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Ron Burgundy FTW!

 

[rallybanana]

The final mountain stage before the rest day features the second finish last used in 2016 in a row. It is also the last MTF of the race, that coming before the final rest day is a first in modern Tour history.

So the highest finish of the race is 500m higher than the highest MTF of the race. That probably doesn't happen very often.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I think break takes it as Jumbo and UAE rest and reset. Adam and Kuss will kill the final climb and Pog will gain a couple seconds on Vinge.

 

[skippo12]

UAE kinda needs to pace. Perfect opportunity to take a few seconds + bonus. With a rest day and a TT inbetween they should have enough time to recover.

 

[Nick2413]

Vingegaard is now the last remaining rider in the top-5 without a stage win despite being the yellow jersey, guessing it would be unprecedented if things stay like that until Paris?

Bernal?

 

[Nick2413]

This stage has more vertical than Joux Plane stage. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a big crack between Pog and Jonas on an unexpected day like this.