Preview: A Challenging Medium Mountain Test for the Peloton
The next stage on Thursday features a mid- mountain route with a blend of category 3 climbs and two category 2 ascents. The terrain promises a demanding day for breakaway specialists and pure climbers alike, serving as the ideal warm-up for the bigger ascents looming on the horizon. The rugged scenery of the Jurassic massif will be a dramatic backdrop as riders push toward the summit.
On the twelfth day of the Tour de France, the peloton confronts a decisive chapter. After a strong victory from Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen on Wednesday, the 110th edition moves forward with his fourth win of the race on stage eleven, signaling a bold sprint-capable rider who can still find space on tougher terrain when the situation demands.
The 168.8-kilometer route runs from Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais, threading through one of France’s most celebrated wine landscapes. The course features a cumulative elevation gain well over 3,000 meters, creating a landscape where constant movement is rewarded and every kilometer tests endurance. It is a route that rarely allows riders to settle, with a series of ascents and descents that keep the tempo high and the gaps small.
In this edition, the Belgian rider has often outpaced his teammate, coming out on top in their previous three victories. On this occasion he faced the challenge largely on his own, edging out the Dutch rival and then the field in a sprint that sparked controversy. Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco Alula) and Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) battled fiercely in the finale, adding to a stage that kept spectators glued to every moment of the finish.