The Tour de France peloton faces this Thursday one of the considered trap stages of this edition with numerous climbs on the way to Belleville-en-Beaujolais, and where two ascents stand out that could break the race: the Col de la Croix Montmin and the Col de la Croix Rosier.
Moncoutié, the fastest on the Croix Montmain
The first major climb of the decisive section of the stage will be the ascent to the Col de la Croix Montmain, second category with its 5.5 kilometers at 6.1%, where runners will have to face a 351-meter drop. A climb that 1,550 people have faced on Strava for a total of 4,725 attempts, and that professionals usually complete in 18:20, while amateurs climb it in 24:16, almost six minutes slower.
The former professional cyclist David Moncoutié, stage winner in La Vuelta and in the Tour and four times winner of the mountain classification in La Vuelta, has the KOM or best men’s time on Strava since July 3 with a mark of 13: 46 at a speed of 24.7 km/h. For its part, the QOM or best female time is for the user C Rougé with a mark of 15:12 at an average of 22.5 km/h.
Moncoutié also commands the demanding Croix Rosier
But without a doubt the big climb of the day will be the Col de la Croix Rosier, second category with its 5.3 kilometers at 7.6% which, despite being located 28 kilometers from the finish line, will be a trap for cyclists since it will distribute bonuses at the top. A segment unknown to amateurs and professionals, since only 257 athletes have completed it on Strava for a total of 3,533 attempts.
The French ex-cyclist David Moncoutié is once again the protagonist in this ascent since he has the KOM or best time on Strava since July 27, 2020 with a record of 14:07 at an average of 21.7 km/h, while the user Gwen Hage has the QOM or best women’s time since May 26, 2022 with a mark of 22:46 at an average of 13.4 km/h. We will see if Moncoutié is able to maintain her reign at these new peaks for the Tour, although everything indicates that it will be difficult for it to be so.