From Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) to Lyon (Rhône), the riders will be able to breathe this Saturday before attacking the Alps from this Sunday.
The arrival of this 14th stage, 194 km long, will be judged behind closed doors, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A profile for sprinters
The day before the arrival at the top of the Grand Colombier, the peloton will be entitled to a hilly breath between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon.
The profile, with the main difficulty, the Col du Béal, at the start of the stage, may be suitable for sprinters.
This will also be one of the last opportunities for them because they will then only have the arrivals at Champagnole and the Champs-Elysées, respectively next Friday and Sunday, to aim for stage victory.
Lyon, first stopover town in 1903
On Thursday July 2, 1903, the first stage of the first Tour de France, 467 km long, started from Montgeron (Essonne) and arrived in Lyon.
Then, the Grande Boucle only stopped 17 times in the capital of the Gauls, which trails in 36th position in the ranking far behind Paris (142), Bordeaux (81) and Pau (72).
The last time before this edition was in 2013.
No public on arrival
The progression of Covid-19 contamination has forced local authorities to drastically restrict the presence of the public.
The arrival scheduled around 6 p.m. this Saturday on the Jean-Moulin quay, will be behind closed doors.
Spectators will be pushed back 400 meters before and after the line.
This zone without public will be renewed the next day for the start at the Gerland stadium.