The 8th stage, in 1993, was Lance Armstrong’s first Tour de France victory when it finished in Verdun. Armstrong could perhaps be looking to repeat as the winner on this 8th stage that covers three categorized climbs, the Port d’Envalira, Col de Port, and the Col d’ Agnes. This second of three stages in the Pyrenees starts off right away with the 2,408m Port d’ Envalira. This climb is the highest surfaced pass in the Pyrenees. In 1997 Jan Ullrich won the 10th stage, in front of Marco Pantani, when it passed over this climb. It was on this day that Ullrich took yellow on his way to winning the Tour de France at only 23 years old.
After a very long descent back into France the riders will pass through Ax-les-Thermes and Tarascon before tackling the 12km Col de Port at 1,249m. Their last obstacle, 44km’s from the finish, is the 12km Col d’ Agnes which reaches 1,570m. This will be a great launching point for any rider thinking about a stage win before they reach the finish. Sitting at the crossroads of eighteen different valleys is the first time Tour finish city of Saint-Girons. Usually a launching pad for the start of Tour stages, four different times, Saint-Girons will be treated to a finish from some of the premier climbers in this year’s Tour de France.
