Stage 20 Report and Results 2013 Tour De France

125k from Annecy to Annecy-Semnoz

High Mountains, MTF;

Weather: partly cloudy, 27c (80f), chance of rain: 30%

Stage 20 on the map

Today’s stage is a short 125k, and will probably be fast and furious. The stage ends on top of the HC Annecy-Semnoz climb.

Stage 20 is the last chance for riders to try and change their positions in the General Classification. Chris Froome of Team Sky still leads with a commanding 5:11 over second place Alberto Contador of Team Saxo-Tinkoff. The battle for Contador’s spot is in the minds of Movistar’s Nairo Quintana and Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez. Either one of them or Saxo’s Roman Kreuziger will likely get the third podium position. Who will be denied a spot on the podium in Paris?

The stage 20 route around Annecy

We will also see who has the legs to fight for the king of the mountains jersey today. Chris Froome leads Pierre Rolland of Europcar by one point in the mountains competition. Mikel Nieve of the Basque Euskaltel squad is third with just five fewer points than Rolland. Quintana lies fourth, and Christophe Riblon of Ag2R is fifth, just 11 points off the lead.

The difficult category-1 Mont Revard, which tops out at km 78.5, may cause some decisive splits, although its summit is almost 50k from the finish. In any case, it will show who does not have the legs to contest the stage win today.

TO THE ACTION:

170 riders will take the start in the picturesque city of Annecy today.

Sun is shining as the riders take the start.

*Pierre Rolland (EUC) attacks as soon as the flag drops. It looks like the French climber is interested in the polka dot jersey after all.

Jens Voigt (RSL) is the next to jump away from the peloton.

Stage 20 Preview and Profile 2013 Tour De France

125k from Annecy to Annecy-Semnoz

Stage 20 around Annecy

The final showdown for the contenders in the General Classification has arrived. Stage 20 is the last mountain stage of the Tour De France. It is the last opportunity for the climbers to impose their will on the road, and the last opportunity for any reshuffling on the overall leaderboard.

The final stage into Paris on Sunday will be a flat one for the sprinters, and unless something awful happens, a stress-free celebration of a dominant Tour win for Team Sky’s Chris Froome. Before that, they have the six categorized climbs of stage 20.

A few smaller climbs in the first 50k will offer opportunities for breakaways and mountain jersey points for the contenders in the polka dot jersey competition. The stage is very short, at 125 kilometers, so it will probably be very fast, and very aggressive. A lot of teams will be hoping for results in Annecy.

Stage 20 profile

The Annecy-Semnoz mountaintop finish is a newcomer to the Tour. It is an HC rated climb measuring 10.7k and averaging 8.5%. The GC contenders will most likely have resigned themselves to Froome winning, but the fight for the next few places is still hot.

Profile of the final climb on stage 20

The battle for the mountains jersey should also be hotly contested Saturday, with five riders within eleven points of each other at the top of the standings in that competition. Two mountain points are available over two category-4 climbs on the final stage Sunday, so if the king of the mountains is too close to call by the end of stage 20, It is possible it could not be decided until Sunday.

Pick your favorite climber. Stage 20 could see another break succeed, or it could come down to the GC favorites. I would expect Joaquim Rodriguez is still very hungry for a stage win, so if it comes down to the favorites, he is my pick. He has been getting stronger, and is perfectly tailored for the steep finish. He is also very keen to finish on the podium in Paris, and may throw caution to the wind to get there. Purito is currently fifth overall, but just :47 behind second place Alberto Contador.

The weather forecast for Annecy on Sunday:

Clear with a chance of a thunderstorms and rain in the afternoon. High of 82F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 30%.