Friday the 17th. July 2026. For some in the peloton, it’s just a date, but for the guys who actually have to pedal through the Jura and into the Vosges, Tour de France Stage 13 is the day they’ve been eyeing since the route reveal in Paris last October. It’s long. Brutally long. In fact, at 205 kilometers, it is the only time in the entire 2026 race that the distance ticker crosses that 200km mark.
Basically, it’s a marathon on wheels.
The start in Dole feels innocent enough. You’ve got the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, some nice architecture, and a bunch of nervous riders pinning numbers to jerseys. But the destination is Belfort, and the path there is anything but straightforward. We aren’t talking about the high Alps yet—those come later in the week with that double-header at Alpe d’Huez—but this stage is a "transition" only in name.
Why the Ballon d’Alsace is a Big Deal
You can’t talk about this stage without mentioning the Ballon d’Alsace. Honestly, if you’re a cycling history nerd, this is holy ground. 121 years ago, in 1905, this was the very first "real" mountain the Tour ever climbed. Back then, they did it on fixed-gear bikes with wool jerseys. Today, the tech has changed, but the 8.7-kilometer ascent at a steady 6.9% still bites.
It’s a persistent drag. Not a leg-breaker like the Ventoux, but it’s a rhythmic, grinding climb that reaches an 8.8% pitch in its toughest sections.
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Here’s the thing about the 2026 route: the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace comes about 30 kilometers from the finish line in Belfort. That's a huge tactical window. If a breakaway hasn't been reeled in by the time they hit the slopes, the GC teams (think Visma-Lease a Bike or UAE Team Emirates) have a choice to make. Do they burn their domestiques to chase, or do they let the "baroudeurs" have their day in the sun?
The Breakaway's Best Friend
Most experts are banking on a breakaway taking the spoils here. Why? Because the GC contenders are likely terrified of what’s coming next. Stage 14 is a mountain-heavy loop through the Vosges, and the following day is a summit finish at Plateau de Solaison. Nobody wants to waste a bullet in the wind on a 205km slog if they don't have to.
Watch out for the Col des Croix. It’s the appetizer before the Ballon d’Alsace—5.4 kilometers at 4.9%. It’s not much on paper, but after 150 kilometers of racing through the heat of eastern France, it’s where the "autobus" (the sprinters' group) starts to form.
The Belfort Finale
The descent into Belfort is fast. It’s the kind of descent where you can make up time if you’ve got the guts of a Tom Pidcock. But wait, there’s a sting in the tail. Roughly 5 kilometers from the line, there is an 800-meter ramp that hits 8%.
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It’s a classic Christian Prudhomme move. He loves these little "walls" near the end of long stages to prevent a boring regrouping. If a solo rider is clear by ten seconds, that ramp is where they either seal the deal or get swallowed by a charging group of ten.
What the Peloton is Thinking
I’ve heard it said that the Tour isn't won on stages like this, but it’s definitely lost here.
One lapse in concentration.
One bad bottle of water.
One crash on a technical descent.
Suddenly, a podium hope in Paris is gone.
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The wind can also be a factor as the race moves northeast toward the Moselle valley. If the crosswinds pick up, the peloton will split into echelons faster than you can say "yellow jersey." It’s a nervous, exhausting day that requires constant vigilance.
Real Talk: Who Wins?
If you're looking for favorites, keep an eye on the puncheurs who can climb. Names like Matej Mohorič or Magnus Cort are built for this. They have the engine to survive 200 kilometers and the "snap" to win a small group sprint in Belfort.
For the GC guys—Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel—it’s all about survival. Stay safe. Don’t lose time. Keep the powder dry for the Alps.
Actionable Insights for Following the Stage:
- Check the Wind: Before the stage starts, look at the weather forecast for the Moselle valley. High winds mean the GC teams will be frantic, making for a much more aggressive race.
- The 150km Mark: This is where the real race begins. If the breakaway has more than five minutes here, they’re likely going the distance.
- The Altiport Shadow: Don’t confuse this with the 2025 Stage 13. Last year was that wild uphill time trial at Peyragudes where Pogačar crushed everyone. This year is about endurance and descent, not raw vertical power.
- Historical Context: If you're watching the broadcast, they will mention 1905 a dozen times. Use that as your cue that the final climb is starting.
To truly understand the flow of the race, pay attention to the gap at the top of the Ballon d'Alsace. If the chasers are within 45 seconds of the leaders, the descent will be a high-speed chess match all the way into the streets of Belfort. You should also verify the live intermediate sprint points, as they’ll be the only time the green jersey contenders like Biniam Girmay or Jasper Philipsen show their faces at the front today.
Track the official Tour de France live GPS data to see which riders are dropping off the back during the Col des Croix—it’s usually the best indicator of who will struggle on the main climb.