Assassin

The first climb on today's stage is the Col du Galibier. It's named the 'Souvenir Henri Desgrange,' the Memorial to or In Memory of Henri Desgrange for having the highest pass in this year's Tour. Desgrange was the race founder who, in 1910, included the Pyrenees in the route for the first time. Lapize, the winner of that year's Tour, reportedly spat out just one word to Desgrange upon finishing: "Assassin!"

Though Galibier is in the Alps, not the Pyrenees, it's this year's official assassin, though it follow's on the heels of yesterday's feature of the legendary Alpe de Huez, a shorter (3 miles) but steeper (sometimes 12%) ride riddled with switchbacks. But even with an average gradient of 'only' 4.5%, the Col's 26 and a half miles will be punishing in today's 90+ degree heat.

26 miles of up never feels good.