Le Lioran could reignite the Pogačar-Vingegaard battle after the rest day

The Tour de France returns from its first rest day with a stage designed to expose any weakness. On Tuesday, July 14, the peloton will cover 166.6 kilometres from Aurillac to Le Lioran on a relentless route through the Massif Central featuring seven categorised climbs.

Tadej Pogačar begins the day in yellow with a 2:42 advantage over Jonas Vingegaard. That margin gives the Slovenian room to manage the race, but the terrain offers Visma | Lease a Bike several opportunities to put the leader and his UAE Emirates-XRG teammates under pressure. The constant succession of climbs and descents could make the stage more selective than its distance suggests.

The race should become particularly demanding during the final 50 kilometres. After the Côte de Murat, the riders will tackle the first-category Puy Mary-Pas de Peyrol, a 7.8-kilometre ascent averaging 6%. Its irregular slopes and exposed roads will begin the decisive sequence before a fast descent towards the Col de Pertus.

Pertus is the most explosive obstacle of the day: 4.4 kilometres at an average gradient of 8.5%, with the summit just 14.5 kilometres from the finish. A strong attack there could produce immediate gaps, while the following descent will reward both confidence and technical skill. The Col de Font de Cère, 3.1 kilometres at 5.8%, provides the final launchpad before a short run to the line at Le Lioran.

The destination carries special significance in the rivalry between the Tour's two dominant riders. In 2024, Pogačar attacked on the same roads, but Vingegaard managed to catch him before beating him in the sprint at Le Lioran. That remains one of the Dane's most memorable mountain victories over his great rival.

UAE can choose to defend the yellow jersey or turn the stage into another demonstration of strength. Visma, meanwhile, needs to make the race difficult before Pertus if it wants to isolate Pogačar. The many contenders sitting just behind the leading pair must also decide whether to follow the favourites or use their attention on each other to launch an ambush.

With the stage taking place on Bastille Day, French riders are also expected to fight for a place in the breakaway. A successful escape remains possible, but the history of Le Lioran and the shape of the general classification make another direct confrontation between Pogačar and Vingegaard difficult to ignore.