This Tuesday marks the start of the main week of the Tour of the decisive triptych of the Pyrenees

The platoon rested in the shade of ramparts of carcassonne after the first 15 days of competition trying to recoup part of the energy spent and trying to fill the fuel before the massive challenge that awaits them this last week in Twe are from France. And in the meantime, analyzing the routes of the six pending stages and their key moments, they found space in their daily agenda to attend the press, submit to anti-doping blood tests. International Cycling Union (UCI) and anti-Covid controls and stretches their legs so as not to lose their natural pedaling motion and begin to get used to the demands that await them from now on.

Ahead, three main days on Pyrenees, that is from the smallest to the largest rigidity, and that each rider is prepared and facing depending on their position in the classification, their own ambitions and the aspirations of their teams. In total, the surviving runners of a very demanding edition of the Tour, who played at full speed, without rest and in disgusting heat, had to deal with a total of eleven scoring ports, focused on the highest demands. in the days of tomorrow and in the sun. then.

This Tuesday will face the Pyrenees, with a proposal of 178.5 kilometers and four mountain levels, with the first mountainous difficulty, yes, of the lower category, 13 kilometers from the beginning of the day, followed from the second to 23 kilometers . A Comanche proposal where the fight could be put off at the start, especially considering the many career demands and how much punishment the teams will be, due to physical damage from Covid and injuries.

And, for the sample, a button. Pogacar he had to take advantage of every meter of the road to start cutting the 2’22 ”ahead of Dane. Vingegaard to the head of the general classification, after he had made a childish mistake on the way to Col du Granon. The Slovenian can move now, from the start or from kilometer 113, when he faces the first port of the sun (Port of Lersfrom 11.4 km to 7%), followed by the second, Mur of Peguère (9.3 km to 7.9%), except that the stage does not end at a high but after a rapid descent of 21 kilometers, and it is known that the Tour is won by climbing, but also downhill.

And many will climb tomorrow, with four important levels (Col d’Aspin12 km at 6.5%; Hourquette d’Ancizan8.2 km to 5.1%; Col de Val Louron-Azet, 10.7 km at 6.8% and the end at Peyragudes (8 km to 7.8%), before the last explosive tomorrow. As of tomorrow, the hardness is concentrated in the half stage, but what half stage, with three ports, two of them in a special category and among them the first, which has to go through terror. Aubisque (16.4 km to 7.1%) and ends at the demanding Hautacam (13.6 km to 7.8%), with memories of the victory of Barakaldo cyclist Javier Otxoa in the year 2000.

Runners, both those seeking full and partial glory, know that they must squeeze their strength, intelligence and tactics to use over the next three days, leaving part of the duties, but not many, for some. accidental surprises and uncertain times. individual test on Saturday, which will end with sentence dictation.