There are mountains in every direction, we are in the heart of the Pyrenees. It's going to be a horrible day for the riders, with five classified climbs.
Things get interesting in the final 50km, with the Port de Bales climb, paved especially for the race. The last 10km are close to nine per cent. More hell awaits down the other side, in the form of the first-category Col de Peyresourde. The final 12km are downhill to Loudenville, but by now the damage has been done.
If anyone needs mountain points, then this is where they will be looking to win them. Mountain stages this late in the race are often won by climbers who are well down in the overall classification.
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