TDF 2024:- Stage 14: Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, 151.9km ***Spoilers***

Stage 14: Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, 151.9km

July 13th.

Start Time: 12-05BST.

Saturday 13 July - The first stage in the Pyrenees takes the riders from Pau to Pla d'Adet over a 151.9 kilometres route. The finish climb in the mountains above Saint-Lary-Soulan is 10.6 kilometres long and comes with an average gradient of 7.9%. It’s an anniversary for Pla d’Adet. The mountain was first included in the Tour de France in 1974, so 50 editions ago. That day, Mathieu van der Poel’s granddad, Raymond Poulidor, climbed to triumph on the peak in the Pyrenees. There are 4050 metres of climbing to be tackled during this stage.

Profile.

Map.

This is a map of the route of Stage 14, Tour de France 2024.

The Climbs.

Final Kilometres.

The Pla-d'Adet climb is quite steep, with sections at 10 and 11%. The Pla d’Adet totals 10.6 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 7.9%.

What to Expect.

This is stage 14 and it's the first proper mountain stage and summit finish. Expect a battle among the GC boys. It may, or may be a full on affair, given the following stage is also tough day at the office. So, stage 14 is also perfect chance to salvage things for riders who started the Tour with GC ambitions but fell behind. Plus, of course, for those who’ve been eyeing success in the mountains from the start.

Pau

Stage town for the 75th time.

Jambon de Bayonne.

Jambon de Bayonne is a dried pork ham from south-western France that matures for at least seven months and is salted using salt from the Adour river basin. During the maturation process, the ham gets tender and develops its distinctive aroma with hazelnut notes, and delicate taste, along with its melt-in-the-mouth properties when sliced thinly.

Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet

Town in Hautes-Pyrénées (65)

Stage town for the 13th time.

Population: 850

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN AND CYCLING

In 2021, Tadej Pogacar confirmed his domination over his rivals by overtaking Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz on the Col du Portet to claim his second stage win of the Tour, before repeating the feat the following day in Luz-Ardiden. In 2018, Nairo Quintana saved a somewhat disappointing Tour de France by winning on the Col du Portet at the end of a short 65km stage from Luchon on an F1 Grand Prix-style grid. Lucien Van Impe won here in 1976 (see Saint-Gaudens). The Belgian climber also consolidated his polka-dot jersey here in 1981. This was also the case for Mariano Martinez (1978) and more recently Rafal Majka (2014), on the heights of the village at Pla d'Adet. It was also in Saint-Lary that Daniel Mangeas made his debut as a Tour announcer in 1974.

Poulet Basquaise

Simple, yet bursting with typical French and Mediterranean flavors, poulet Basquaise is one of the most famous French stews. Translated as Basque-style chicken, the dish incorporates authentic French ingredients and traditional French cooking techniques.The main ingredient in this classic dish is chicken, usually only legs or thighs which are generously spiced with Espelette pepper, an authentic French pepper variety. Another traditional French ingredient in the dish is Bayonne ham, the salty, air-dried ham which gives a smoky flavor to the stew.