A spectacular exit from the Pyrenees has been planned, with the return of a finish in Superbagnères, whose climb was the scene in 1986 of one of the main episodes in the turbulent saga between Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond, then teammates at La Vie Claire. The American was still a key player in 1989 during the Tour's last visit to the resort overlooking Bagnères-de-Luchon, when he was battling Laurent Fignon and Robert Millar - now known as Philippa York - took the stage. To know what will happen in this final climb of 12.4 km at an average gradient of 7.3%, we must ask ourselves what fate awaits the brave riders who take part in the breakaway that is bound to unravel as they cross the Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin and Col de Peyresourde, a trilogy as classic as it is indomitable.
As is often the case, the scenario will certainly be in the hands of Visma-Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates-XRG. So far, Jonas Vingegaard's teammates have systematically led the charge to try to propel their leader and, why not, shake up Tadej Pogacar. Will they continue in this vein after the world champion's demonstration of superiority on the last two stages, or will they save their energy to focus on other initiatives in the Alps? If they repeat the Hautacam pattern, how could the Yellow Jersey resist, if his legs allow him, from going for a third consecutive stage win? The equation could also be influenced by the open battle between Remco Evenepoel (3rd overall), Florian Lipowitz (4th), Oscar Onley (5th) and Kévin Vauquelin (6th), all four in contention for 3rd place and the white jersey and less than a minute behind... That's not much on a stage with a cumulative elevation gain of 4,950 metres.
