The 2026 Tour de France has reached a critical milestone with stage 13, a gruelling 205.8km ride through north-eastern France. The longest stage of the race so far, it promises to be a day of high drama and intense competition as the riders take on the challenging terrain.
The stage features the first category Ballon d'Alsace mountain pass, a climb of 8.9km at 6.9% that will put the riders' skills and endurance to the test. With the finish line in Belfort, the riders will need to be able to descend quickly and safely to have any chance of winning.
The stage is expected to be a breakaway opportunity for riders with strong climbing and descending skills, such as Tom Pidcock, who has already shown his ability to handle challenging courses. However, the UAE Team Emirates may try to neutralise the attacks and keep the competition contained.
As the riders face this daunting challenge, fans will be on the edge of their seats, cheering them on and hoping for a thrilling conclusion to the stage.
The 2026 Tour de France is a major international sporting event, and its success is a testament to the UK's reputation as a hub for cycling and sports excellence.