Stage 16: Passy to Combloux individual time trial – 22 km
Date: July 18, 2023
Stage type: Individual time trial
What to watch for: Rest days do odd things to some riders. Will any favorites suffer rest-day legs?
Stage summary: A category 2 climb defines this short but crucial time trial.
The Tour marks the “top” of the climb in Domancy, just 2.5 kilometers from the bottom. Those early kilometers are indeed the steepest, averaging 9.4%, but the climb doesn’t stop there. It keeps going for another 4 km. The total climb is 6.3 km at 6.6% average.
Three GC stages remain. This time trial, then two more days in the mountains. A bad day is not an option.
Dane Cash’s picks: This late in the race and with a tough climb on the profile, the two favorites for the TT are the two favorites for yellow at the Tour de France. Personally, I see Tadej Pogačar having a slight edge, both in TTs generally (albeit very slightly) and particularly in a TT with a short but very steep climb thrown in. In any case, it should be close. Wout van Aert is the other big contender here.
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