On the roof of the Tour

The first rider at the top of the Iseran will be awarded the Souvenir Henri-Desgrange. It’s the highest peak of the Tour de France this year and it’s very high: 2770 metres. This giant has been climbed by the riders only seven times in the past, since 1938. Its summit is only 37.5km before the stage finish in Tignes throughout a severe 7.4-km long climb. It’s a short stage too. All ingredients are there for pure climbers to express their skills. Julian Alaphilippe remains in the yellow jersey but he knows the likes of Egan Bernal, Geraint Thomas and Thibaut Pinot will give him a hard time. And there is a new threat: Nairo Quintana! Stage winner in Valloire, the Colombian is back in the top 10 overall, seventh with a deficit of 3’54’’. He has two last mountain stages to turn the Tour upside down or target his fourth final podium.