Tour de France Tour de France 2025, Stage 18: Vif - Courchevel Col de La Loze(171.5k)

[Valv.Piti]

I think last year he decided not to go because he felt he didn't have the legs, probably because of starting to feel the effects of the crash.
IIRC correctly Bonette was paced by Politt, I am pretty sure that pace wouldn't have been any problem for a top form Vingo.

Yes. Nothing to do with UAE, he was empty.

UAE should just eliminate satellite riders and then they will be safe, but thats a lot harder than it sounds

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

If Vingegaard has teammates ahead he should let himself get countered and fakedrop on the second climb, big pain face like Richard Carapaz. Pogacar won't be able to help himself and will just carry on 80k out.

Kind of like Pog making pain faces on the Ventoux to encourage Vingo to keep dragging him closer to the top.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

We're more likely to get something like "Pogacar is breathing though his mouth!" and that's it.

Or theories about what it means if he has one buttock in the saddle and the other one out of it.

 

[ice&fire]

Yes. Nothing to do with UAE, he was empty.

UAE should just eliminate satellite riders and then they will be safe, but thats a lot harder than it sounds

They wish they could do it by polittical decree

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The alpine double finale is ahead!

Tomorrow a Monster stage with two huge climbs (1500+ vertical meters) and one large climb. The anticipation is big for a long range attack by Visma and Vingo as the gap is too big for standard late attacks. Madeleine south is a nasty climb, it never ends (8% for almost 20 km). Its great for killing other teams and an early attack by Vingo (hoping Pogi wont follow and breakaway teammate will await).

Lets remember that the next day is another big stage to recover before. So Maybe Visma will go all in at the very end? (on col Pre). The decision will also depend on how well Vingo feels during stages. Hopefully great couple of day ahead.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It's raining. It would be hilarious to see "Mr. Rain" losing his yellow jersey tomorrow, specially on rainy conditions.

 

[Tim Cahill]

They wish they could do it by polittical decree

4 man unthreatening break gets 2 minutes at the start

Random Cofidis and Intermarche riders try and dart out of the peloton, get 20 seconds or so

Start chasing it down like absolute madmen

Anger other riders by talking some smack

Increase in pace leads more riders to attack, now fancying their chances

Break ends up 40 guys with 3 Visma in it

Masterclass

Not that I'm complaining, makes it miles more entertaining

 

[Pogacsa]

The rain certainly complicates things.

One strategy would be for Vingegaard to attack over the Madeleine and launch into a highly aggressive wet descent, hoping Pogacar will crash or not follow because he fears he might. But after Vingegaard's crash last year, does he really have the appetite for a deliberately dangerous plunge down a mountain?

 

[hayneplane]

Vingegaard will plan to go on Madeleine but I foresee the same situation as Bonette last year where UAE are too strong and he decides not to.

It will show if they are true to their word of saying they are willing to risk second to go full out for first place.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

A reminder for whoever needs it.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

A reminder for whoever needs it.

Who tf is Pogacard?

 

[dobrien]

The rain certainly complicates things.

One strategy would be for Vingegaard to attack over the Madeleine and launch into a highly aggressive wet descent, hoping Pogacar will crash or not follow because he fears he might.

A descent of this nature would definitely NOT be 'Trine Approved'!

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It will show if they are true to their word of saying they are willing to risk second to go full out for first place.

Vingo had a bad day last year during Isola stage and thats why they changed tactics and let Jorgenson go for victory. If Vingo feels as good as on Ventoux he will attack from a far (on Madeleine or the next day on Pre).

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Who tf is Pogacard?

He works for the grammar police, surprised you don't know him.

 

[Cookster15]

What a stage and what a profile - 5,600 vertical metres and 3 HC mountains. The 2025 Tour de France will likely be won or lost on this monster stage.

Rain means the immediate concern are crashes - I hope all the favorites stay upright. But with a 4 minute lead realistically the only way Vingegaard can win this Tour is Pogacar cracks. That means Vingegaard and Visma must plan to attack on Col de la Madeleine.

If Pogacar stays with Jonas he will win the Tour. But I have a feeling Pog's reserves are being stretched and this stage finishes on his nemesis mountain. If Vingegaard turns the Tour on its head I won't be shocked, his level seems to be rising.

More likely Pog and Vingo finish together after a day full of fireworks.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Rain you say?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Says there are about 19,000 feet of climbing tomorrow.
Nineteen. Thousand. Feet.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Who tf is Pogacard?

He was probably born in the year 0225.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Pogacar vs Vingegaard round 50, big fight will be Roglic and Lipo for third.

 

[ashhutch1997]

I reckon we could get a similar situation to the 1997 stage to Courchavel, where Virenque attacked solo on the Madeline, caught by Ullrich before then riding together to the finish. The only difference being that Pogacar won't give the stage to Vingegaard like Ullrich did to Virenque.
Should be a fun day and I'm not at work 😊.

 

[ruamruam]

Says there are about 19,000 feet of climbing tomorrow.
Nineteen. Thousand. Feet.

What are feet?

 

[Bratone]

What are feet?

Just the things you'll no longer feel after kilometer 50.

 

[YavorD]

Just the things you'll no longer feel after kilometer 50.

With the speed they go, meter 50 is about right to me.

 

[ashhutch1997]

I would say it's the hardest stage since LGB in 2013, people forget this stage as there wasn't any GC action but it was a very hard stage in terms of elevation.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

What are feet?

This is the one case where I prefer the British system over the metric, because it makes it seem like I climbed more. I feel good if I say I did 2500 feet today. But if I say that I climbed 760 meters, I feel like.. meh.