Tour de France 2025 Features Challenging Mountain Stages, Landslide Disruptions

The final stages of the 2025 Tour de France feature a mix of challenging mountain climbs and opportunities for sprinters as the race nears its conclusion. Stage 18, starting in Vif and finishing in Courchevel, is highlighted as the queen stage with the hardest elevation gain since 2007, where significant time gaps could emerge among contenders. The route includes iconic Alpine climbs such as the Col du Glandon, emphasizing its potential impact on the general classification. Stage 19, from Albertville to La Plagne, follows the tradition of placing the hardest climb last and includes historical towns with rich medieval backgrounds. Stage 20, covering Nantua to Pontarlier, has been criticized for undercategorizing climbs and not delivering the expected mid-mountain challenge, diminishing interest late in the race. Meanwhile, Stage 17 offers a fast, mostly flat course favoring sprinters, with two category four climbs and an intermediate sprint, likely marking the last sprint opportunity before the finale in Paris.