Tour de France 2025: Col de la Loze Looms Large as Apex Battleground

July 24, 2025: “Speak of the devil… and he shall appear.” Stage 18 of the Tour de France 2025 has been the subject of intense discussion, as the already fatigued peloton faces the formidable ascent of the Col de la Loze. This climb, a relatively recent addition to the Tour’s history, has already left an indelible mark on the race, fueling both dread and ambition.

The Souvenir Henri Desgrange and a Vengeful Pogacar
At 2,304 meters of altitude, La Loze stands as the highest summit of this edition, earning it the prestigious Souvenir Henri Desgrange – a special prize honoring the race’s iconic creator. While slightly lower than the 2,500-meter climbs of yesteryear, its notoriously irregular slopes have proven uniquely challenging on its two previous appearances in 2020 and 2023.

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The Col de la Loze remains the site of one of Tadej Pogacar’s most striking defeats in his otherwise dominant Tour history. In 2023, the Slovenian star famously admitted, “I’m gone, I’m dead,” as he lost over five minutes to rival Jonas Vingegaard, with Felix Gall claiming the stage win. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” – Pogacar is undoubtedly marked by this ascent, even though this year’s edition presents a slightly different approach (26.4 km at 6.5%, with gradients above 10% on several stretches). However, Pogacar’s recent performance at Hautacam, where he turned the tables at a venue where he previously faltered, suggests he’s eager for redemption. He insists his primary ambition is to secure a historic fourth Maillot Jaune all the way to Paris, but many believe he secretly eyes a victory on La Loze as well.

Vingegaard Ready for the “Dance with the Devil”
As for Jonas Vingegaard, he has declared his readiness to do everything in his power to regain supremacy in the Tour. The relentless sequence of Hors Catégorie (HC) climbs on Stage 18 – with the Col du Glandon and Col de la Madeleine preceding La Loze – provides him with the perfect terrain to challenge Pogacar and “dance with the devil.” This stage promises to be a pivotal moment in the battle for the yellow jersey.