This is a long trek through the Ardennes, and the contenders for victory will have to gauge their effort well if they want to shine in the finale, which is even tougher than the one that featured the last time the Tour visited Longwy. The leading puncheurs will be to the fore on the Mur de Pulventeux, situated 6km from the finish (800m long and averaging 12%), before having the opportunity to show their explosive qualities on the Côte des Religieuses.