Stage 2 – Col d’Èze

This is the smallest categorized climb. Monsieur Bardet couldn’t quite dip under 20 minutes for his KOM. Could you go under 30 minutes?

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Stage 4 – Orcières-Merlette

The first summit finish which, according to STRAVA, has only been attempted 1,539 Attempts By 838 People

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Stage 6 – Mont Aigoual

With an average grade of 4% over 7.5km this is almost downhill. Yet the riders will have already been climbing for over 20 miles before they get to this point.

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Stage 8 – Col de Menté

Warren Barguil is in third on this segment with 29:33. Let’s see what 2020 brings for him.

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Stage 8 – Col de Peyresourde

Romain Bardet once again KOM’s this little hill perhaps best remembered for my legendary 2018 ascent where I beat a couple of mates who you’ve never heard of. History only remembers the winners, right? I seem to remember getting ‘close’ to Romain’s time but regular readers here will know that my definition of ‘imminent’ and ‘close’ leave lots to be desired.

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Stage 9 – Col de Marie-Blanque

Not included in the Tour since 2010 this is an unpleasant 8%er.

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Stage 13 – Col de Ceyssat

I’m sure it’s nothing and you can’t read anything into these things but Rigoberto Uran aced this a couple of weeks ago. It’s probably just a coincidence that Team EF Pro has bought up every advertising hoarding within a 2km radius (hint: they haven’t).

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Stage 17 – Col de la Madeleine

I always get this one confused with a mate’s girlfriend who was also called Madeleine. The confusion is that both were devilish in their demands placed upon my unlucky friend. 1 hour at 8% average…ouch.

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Stage 18 – Montée du Plateau des Glières

Thibaut Pinot likes the steep ones (6k @11%) and recently took the KOM. Watch out folks, you know what’s coming.

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Stage 20 –  La Planche des Belles Filles

This is only a 9%er, so no worries. Oh, none apart from the 23% slope at the end where even Chris Froome carried his bike up in 2012 (hint: he didn’t, he won, you’re thinking of that other hill in that other year)

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