STAGE 10 – DS Insights Preview
Tour de France 2025 – Insights & Press Release
📰 PRESS RELEASE: STAGE 10 – THE CLIMBERS’ CALLING CARD
Date: 14 July 2025
From: AHHA Media
Subject: 🔥 Stage 10 – First Major Mountains & Bastille Day Fireworks Incoming
The first real test has arrived—and it couldn’t have come on a more iconic day.
As the peloton rolls out from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore, riders face the opening true mountain stage of the 2025 Tour de France. No more bluffing, no more hiding. Eight categorized climbs and over 4,400 metres of vertical elevation through the volcanic Massif Central will force the GC contenders to show their cards.
Today isn’t just about France’s national day—it’s about survival and intent.
This is the kind of stage that defines third weeks before they begin. With a steep, punishing final climb to Puy de Sancy, and leg-sapping gradients peppered all day, Stage 10 could see a shakeup in the Yellow Jersey race. Expect explosive moves, time gaps, and possibly a new maillot jaune by sunset.
🔍 DS Insider Preview Highlights:
- GC Test: The first big battle between the heavyweights — Pogačar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel, Roglič — no more second-guessing.
- Breakaway Hopefuls: This is French wildcard territory. Watch for B&B Hotels, Arkéa, and TotalEnergies to animate the early moves.
- KOM Hunt: With 37 points up for grabs, the Polka Dot Jersey battle ignites properly today.
- Final Climb Drama: 3.3 km at 8% to the line. It’s short, sharp, and steep—perfect for a GC ambush.
📣 DS Word from the Team Car:
“Today, the climbs speak louder than legs. Ride smart into the break or hold wheels until the final burn.
If you’re off the back today—you’re off the Tour.”
📍 Stage 10: Ennezat → Le Mont-Dore
📏 Distance: 165.3 km
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~4,450 m
🎯 Key Climbs: Côte de Charade, Col de Guéry, Croix Saint-Robert, Le Mont-Dore
🇫🇷 Occasion: Bastille Day – expect full gas from the first flag drop
⏰ Expected Finish: ~17:15 CET
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🧠 DS Insights – Stage 10 Preview
📍 Route: Ennezat → Le Mont‑Dore (Puy de Sancy)
📆 Date: Monday, 14 July 2025 (Bastille Day)
📏 Distance: 165.3 km
🏔️ Stage Type: First true mountain stage – Eight categorized climbs in Massif Central, approx. 4,450 m elevation gain
🗻 Climb Breakdown
| Climb | Category | Length | Avg. Gradient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Côte de Loubeyrat | Cat 2 | 4.1 km | 6.3% |
| Côte de La Barraque | Cat 2 | 4.8 km | 7.4% |
| Côte de Charade | Cat 2 | 5.1 km | 6.8% |
| Côte de Berzet | Cat 2 | 3.4 km | 7.4% |
| Col de Guéry | Cat 2 | 3.4 km | 6.7% |
| Col de la Croix Morand | Cat 3 | 3.5 km | 5.7% |
| Col de la Croix Saint‑Robert | Cat 2 | 5.1 km | 6.3% |
| Le Mont‑Dore / Puy de Sancy | Cat 2 | 3.3 km | 8.0% |
🔍 Tactical Breakdown
1. Mountainous Mayhem
Brutal start to the mountains—8 climbs packed into 165 km. Pure climbers and GC stars must respond today. No more easy days.
2. KOM & Breakaway Fireworks
37 KOM points on offer. Watch French teams and climbers with no GC pressure go all-in on the early slopes.
3. GC Showdown
Time gaps are likely. Look for moves on the penultimate climb (Croix Saint-Robert) or the final 3.3 km punch to Le Mont-Dore.
🏆 DS Gameplan
- UAE Team Emirates (Pogačar): Set a searing pace and test rivals on every slope.
- Visma | Lease a Bike (Vingegaard): Protect and launch late—don’t show all your cards yet.
- Soudal–Quick‑Step: If Evenepoel has the legs, today is his kind of finale.
- Groupama-FDJ, Arkéa, TotalEnergies: Animate early, go for glory on Bastille Day.
- Lidl–Trek: Support Skjelmose or Milan in KOM hunt or break.
📣 DS Ride‑Along Call:
“Ten to go on Mont‑Dore—ride that 8%! Position first! Pogačar drilling, Vingegaard hanging tough—jaw to bar! Evenepoel counter, this is war. GC in the balance!”
🔚 Final Word from the DS
This is the truth-teller stage. It’s where the GC race begins in earnest. If your rider cracks here—there’s no hiding it. Ride like it’s the Tour de France… because it is.
