Bastille Day in the Mountains
Stage 10 falls on July 14 — Bastille Day — and ASO has placed a mountain stage on France’s national holiday for a reason. The French riders will be desperate to perform in front of home crowds, and the Le Lioran summit finish provides the perfect stage for aggressive racing.
The 167 km route from Aurillac to Le Lioran crosses the volcanic landscape of Cantal, a department in the Massif Central that rarely features in the Tour. The terrain is characterised by steep, punchy climbs through ancient volcanic cols, with gradients that spike to 10-12% before easing through pastoral valleys. It rewards explosive power and tactical intelligence over pure climbing endurance.
Le Lioran
Le Lioran is a ski station in the Cantal mountains at approximately 1,240 metres. The final climb is 12 km at an average of 5.8%, but the gradient is uneven — long sections at 4-5% lull riders into a false tempo before walls of 9-10% demand sudden acceleration. This profile suits riders like Julian Alaphilippe or Mathieu van der Poel more than it suits pure Grand Tour climbers, and a Bastille Day stage victory from the breakaway is a realistic scenario.
Post-Rest Day Racing
Stage 10 follows the first rest day in Cantal, and post-rest day stages are historically unpredictable. Some riders emerge from rest days sharper and more aggressive; others struggle to find rhythm after 48 hours off the bike. The GC teams will be cautious, aware that the Vosges and Alps still await in the second half of the race, but a long breakaway that goes clear in the opening hour could stay away to the summit.
The French fans lining the climb to Le Lioran will create an atmosphere that amplifies every attack. Bastille Day stage wins are rare, cherished, and career-defining for French riders. The last French Bastille Day stage winner carries a legacy that no World Tour points ranking can replicate.