Stage 18 Preview – Tour de France 2025 – Col de la Loze: The Queens Stage

🚴 Stage 18 Preview – Tour de France 2025 – Col de la Loze: The Queens Stage

📍 Vif → Courchevel–Col de la Loze  | 🗓️ Saturday, 24 July | 📏 171.5 km | 🏁 Mountainous/ Hill Finish

🔍 What to Expect on the Road

Stage 18 isn’t just the queen stage—it’s the battlefield for the 2025 Tour. Expect fireworks, steep climbs, and decisive GC action. This is where legends rise, yellow jerseys are won or lost, and cycling history may be written.

🗺️ Route & Elevation Overview

• Distance: 171.5 km from Vif to Courchevel–Col de la Loze

• Vertical Gain: ~5,450–5,500 m across three Hors Catégorie climbs—Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, and the final ascent to Col de la Loze, topping out at 2,304 m

• Key Climbs:

  • Col du Glandon: 21.7 km at 5.1%, cresting around 62 km into the stage

  • Col de la Madeleine: ~19.2 km at 7.9%, summit around 105 km

  • Col de la Loze: 26.4 km at avg 6.5%, with ramps hitting 14% near the summit—tight false-flat and cycle-path finish

The stage begins with a gradual ride out of Vif, followed by the first major climb of Glandon. After a challenging descent, riders face Madeleine’s relentless gradients, then descend into the valley before the final, brutal pull up the eastern flank of Loze. The finish is high altitude and punishing, shaped by altitude and gradient.

🎯 Likely Winners & Strategic Battle

🔹 GC Contenders

• Tadej Pogačar: Is he vulnerable to a true mountain supremo and pure climber? Damage limitation?

• Jonas Vingegaard: Ideal terrain to match or surpass Pogačar

• Remco Evenepoel: Raw power could see him attack early on Madeleine or Loze—threat to both legends.

🔹 Breakaway & KOM Hunters

• Riders like Wout Poels, Ben O’Connor, or KOM specialists may target prime points on Glandon/Madeleine before peloton consolidation.

🧠 Team & Race Strategy

1. Aggressive Early Break
   Expect strong breakaway from riders seeking stage win or KOM. Paid by multiple HC climbs.

2. GC Team Domination
   Ineos, UAE, Visma will control pace on Glandon to limit damage.

3. Bloodbath on Loze
   The race will shatter in the final 15km; GC contenders and challengers must be within touch before the 14% ramps.

4. Altitude Management
   Final kilometres at 2,300 m could be decisive: resilience of lungs and legs will determine outcome.

🧭 Predicted Outcomes

• GC Shake-Up: Expect a significant time gap among top drivers; could be turning point in rivalry.

• Stage Winner: A pure climber with tact and strength—possibly Evenepoel, or Pogacar/Vingegaard after a power-duel.

• KOM Podium: Likely from early escapees securing Glandon and Madeleine points before fading on Loze.

🎥 What to Watch

• Early breakaway attempts on the climbs.

• Team tactics—who sets pace on Glandon.

• Battle unfolds on Madeleine as a primer for the final showdown.

• Loze finale: explosive attacks, survivors, and likely GC drama at altitude.

🛍️ Gear Tip – Ride More This July

Inspired to get out for your own sprint session or summer loop? Here’s a Tour-worthy pick:

🧴 Muc-Off Bike Care Kit – Keep your drivetrain clean and fast for those hot weather rides
🚴 Continental GP 5000 Tyres– Tour-level grip & durability

👀 Final Word

Stage 18 isn’t just the queen stage—it’s the battlefield for the 2025 Tour. Expect fireworks, steep climbs, and decisive GC action. This is where legends rise, yellow jerseys are won or lost, and cycling history may be written.

Check back after the race for the full Stage 18 recap, highlights, and how it shook up the early jersey standings.

Tour de France 2025 – Daily Recaps, Previews & Key Gear Picks