Stage 20 — Nantua > Pontarlier¶

Stage Profile and Strategy¶

Terrain: Flat to rolling transition stage toward Paris. Final chance for breakaway riders and sprinters before the ceremonial Champs-Élysées finish.
Race Narrative:
- Early: Relief after the final mountains, legs recovering from Alpine battles.
- Mid: Rolling terrain through eastern France, breakaway opportunity for stage hunters.
- Finale: Potential sprint finish or successful breakaway in Pontarlier - last non-Paris stage.
Sporting Stakes: Final opportunity for stage victory before Paris, bonus seconds for sprint classification.

Planned

"Last chance for stage glory before Paris - attack early and stay away!"

5m @ 96W (75%) [Controlled warm-up | Nervous rollout from Nantua]
8m @ 118W (92%) [Early breakaway attack | Fight to get in the day's break]
22m @ 115W (90%) [Sustained breakaway tempo | Working together through Jura foothills]
12m @ 118W (92%) [Final push for stage win | Approaching Pontarlier, gap closing]
3m @ 112W (87%) [Sprint for victory | Final kilometers, last chance for glory]

"Cruise control to Paris - job nearly done, stay safe for the finale."

3m @ 64W (50%) [Relaxed rollout | Easy start from Nantua spa town]
15m @ 77W (60%) [Comfortable peloton pace | Rolling through eastern France]
22m @ 80W (62%) [Steady tempo toward finish | Controlled approach to Pontarlier]
8m @ 83W (65%) [Slight increase for finish | Positioning for potential sprint]
2m @ 70W (55%) [Safe conclusion | Stage completed, Paris tomorrow]