Stage 16: Carcassonne – Foix, 178.5km
Stage 16 unfolds with a gentler start to ease into the race, then gradually builds toward the demanding heart of the Pyrenees. The opening miles are a softer invitation, a contrast to the tougher days that lie ahead, as the peloton settles in and riders gauge the day ahead without early friction. This first stage of the Pyrenees section is designed to test strategy rather than sprint power, creating a platform where an opportunist can slip away before the road steepens.
From the moment the flag drops, the field faces a steady rhythm that encourages concentration and smart positioning. The route traces a path from Carcassonne toward Foix, a corridor of 178.5 kilometers that offers just enough room for tactical play while keeping the action within reach of the GC favorites after the climbs begin. Midway through the stage, the tempo is likely to rise as teams evaluate the impending climbs and the riders who have their sights set on a breakaway or a late surge.
The finale introduces two decisive ascents that will light up the classification battle. Before the leaders reach the final kilometres, the road points up toward the Lers climb, a steady but persistent effort over 11.4 kilometers at around 7 percent grade. A short, sharp test follows with the Peguère Wall, a 9.3-kilometer climb at roughly 7.9 percent that demands both power and endurance. Both ascents carry the weight of the day, threatening to shake up any general classification plans while offering a legitimate platform for riders eager to create or extend gaps.
If the opening climb begins roughly 60 kilometers from the finish and the second summit sits about 27 kilometers from the finish, the stage is crafted to offer windowed opportunities for escapes. The configuration favors riders who can survive the early miles, time their attack, and hold on through the cruel finish. It is a profile that rewards smart racing and the willingness to gamble when the terrain confirms the potential for a successful bid.
On paper, Foix looks like a demanding landing zone for the GC contenders, yet the day remains open to a variety of riders. When the margins between groups are fine, a bold move can redraw the map of the race. The stage invites a mix of endurance, tact, and a touch of audacity, giving athletes room to dream of a decisive result in this Pyrenean chapter.
Stage 16 action begins in the late morning with a start scheduled for 12:40 local time, which translates to 10:40 GMT. The anticipated arrival in Foix is around 17:11 local time, or 15:11 GMT, aligning with the typical pacing and broadcast window for this portion of the route. These times set expectations for teams plotting their daily rhythm and fans following the drama unfold on a stage built to test the mettle of the riders.
Mountain profile highlights include the Cote de Saint-Hilaire as a fourth-category climb, coming 1.6 kilometers long at an ascent of 6.6 percent with 164.8 kilometers remaining. The Col de l’Espinas appears as a third-category ascent, stretching 5 percent up to 5.3 kilometers at a precision point near 141.9 kilometers from the finish. The Port de Lers reappears as a first-category challenge, climbing 7 percent for 11.4 kilometers at a 53.4-kilometer mark from the finish. The Mur de Péguère closes the quartet of decisive ascents, a first-category test at 7.9 percent for 9.4 kilometers, with 27.2 kilometers to go. Each climb adds height to the race, increasing the pressure on riders who must balance elevation with the clock and the ambitions of the team leaders.
The stage, with its combination of steady climbs and a couple of longer, steeper ramps, serves as a proving ground for those who want to shape the overall standings. It rewards riders who can manage the rhythm through the valleys and convert the mountain moments into strategic gains. The day is a careful blend of endurance, sprinting instincts for a possible breakaway, and the resilience to endure the demanding late climbs that define the Pyrenean stage profile.
Stage 16: Carcassonne – Foix, 178.5km
Departure time: 12:40 local time (10:40 GMT)
Estimated arrival time: 17:11 local time (15:11 GMT)
Mountain:
Cote de Saint-Hilaire (4th): 1.6 km, 6.6%, 164.8 km to go
Col de l’Espinas (3rd): 5% to 5.3 km at 141.9 km
Port de Lers (1st): 7% to 11.4 km at 53.4 km
Mur de Péguère (1st): 7.9% to 9.4 km at 27.2 km