After the Tour de France begins in Lille on July 5th, the riders will embark on a long road crossing from western France to the foothills of the Pyrenees, where three beautiful and challenging mountain days await them, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and the Haute-Garonne. This year again, the Pyrenees will be the judges of peace before the Alps. A route that has everything to appeal to those who love the Tour de France for the riders' combativeness on the mountain roads. And more broadly, to all those who enjoy beautiful images with some of the passes that have made the history of the Tour de France.
Stage 12 on July 17th from Auch to Hautacam
When the Tour tackles the Pyrenees, it's never an ordinary day
, explains Christian Prudhomme. The battle between the favorites for the general classification continues in an increasingly serious tone. And this will be the case in the final 45 kilometers, when the peloton will approach the Col du Soulor via Ferrière (11.9 km at 7.3%), before continuing with the Col de Bordères, then facing a major moment of truth on the Hautacam climb, 13.6 km long with an average gradient of 7.8%
. A compact and consistent program with around a hundred kilometers of false flats interspersed with alternating hills, entering the heart of the matter with the Col du Soulor classified in the 1st category and especially the climb classified hors catégorie towards Hautacam which should provide a spectacle.
Stage 13 on July 18th Time Trial from Loudenvielle to Peyragudes
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful days, giving hope for the route of this 2025 Tour de France. For Christian Prudhomme The climb to Peyragudes has built a fine reputation, particularly the last few hundred meters that lead to the altiport and scatter the Tour favorites in full swing. Always formidable, the steep climb will allow no downtime in the time trial. The riders will have barely two kilometers to gain momentum and enter the climb of Peyresourde
.
Stage 14 on July 19th from Pau to Luchon-Superbagnères
The great Pyrenean stage from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques to the Haute-Garonne via the Hautes-Pyrénées. With two hors catégorie climbs at stake that should leave their mark on the cyclists' bodies and the spectators' minds. Or perhaps the opposite is true. The route for stage 14 is modeled on the 1986 edition, already on day 14 of the race
, explains Christian Prudhomme. The climb to the Tourmalet via Luz-Saint-Sauveur (19 km at 7.4%) is the least traveled, as is the road to the Col d'Aspin via Payolle (5 km at 7.6%). It will mainly be a reunion with the ultra-demanding climb of Superbagnères (12.4 km at 7.5%), where the changes in gradient lend themselves to a pitched battle between the favorites
.
After these three colorful days, the Tour de France will begin its return north, heading towards Paris via the Alps.
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