Officially classed as a flat stage, this 156.8km loop around Toulouse still packs in 1,750m of climbing, with a lumpy run-in before the flat 8km to the finish.
Will the route favour a solo breakaway on one of the steep final climbs, or will it be one for a sprinter with climbing legs capable of surviving any late attacks?
Either way, EF Education-EasyPost's Ben Healy will be looking to hold on to the yellow jersey. The Irishman leapfrogged Tadej Pogačar in the general classification after another day in the breakaway on stage 10.
Stage 11: Toulouse > Toulouse
- Date: 16 July
- Distance: 156.8km
- Elevation gain: 1,750m
- Stage type: Flat
Route profile
Route map
The first rest day (15 July) involved a chunky 350km transfer to the city of Toulouse, just north of the Pyrenees, which will see some action shortly.
With almost half the race already behind the riders, it will have been a much-needed day off from racing.
What it won't have been, though, is a day off the bike, because riders need to give their legs a solid workout to avoid a shutdown the following day.
That said, the 11th stage isn’t something that should overly worry the yellow-jersey contenders, however their rest day was spent.
It’s very much a transitional stage around the city’s hinterland, geared up for the fast men – albeit those able to overcome a testing closing climb.
Hosting 28 times, Toulouse has been a regular haunt of the race, going back to the first edition in 1903, and as a finish it often favours the sprinters.
“This loop around the wider Toulouse region has a number of testing sections, particularly over the last 50 kilometres, that could lead to several different scenarios,” says race director Christian Prudhomme.
“Whatever happens, though, the 20% ramps of the Côte de Pech David should play a role in the finale.
“From the summit, there are just eight kilometres to the finish, and only the punchiest of the sprinters will still have a chance of contesting the final verdict.”
What's on in Toulouse?
Toulouse is the powerhouse city of South West France, boasting a huge tech base anchored by the headquarters of Airbus, and is also a centre for IT, biotech and other high-tech industries. It is home to the second-largest student population in France, after Paris.
It's not just about tech, though. South West France is famed for its gastronomy, including truffles, foie gras, cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and, of course, local wines and cheeses.
One to watch: Wout van Aert
While many people's eyes will be locked on Ben Healy in the yellow jersey, Wout van Aert is one to watch for the stage win.
He's had a quiet 2025 to date and, as a Jonas Vingegaard super-domestique, he's been in a supporting role at this Tour. Will he be let loose on the 800m, 12.4% average gradient Côte de Pech David to escape to a solo win? Or will van Aert remain on domestique duty through the 2025 Tour? Stage 11 will give us a good indication as to van Aert's aspirations for the rest of the race.
