Tour De France 2011: The 5 Toughest Stages Remaining in the Race

Stage three of the Tour De France is in the books. Tyler Farrar took the stage, but the yellow jersey belonged to Thor Hushovd.

The current standings have little to do with how this race will play out. Let's take a look at the upcoming stages that are going to test the competitors the most.

Stage 4: Lorient to Mur-de-Bretagne, 107.1 miles

Cycling to the summit of Mur-de-Bretagne is no easy task. This stretch of the race ends with a category three climb, making it nightmarish for sprinters, who have faced a relatively easy road thus far.

Stage 6: Dinan to Lisieux, 140.7 miles

This stage of the race has a number of factors that make it challenging. It's the longest stage, but more trying is yet another uphill finish. Sprinters have certain stages that adhere to their strengths and allow them to make up time. This is not one of them.

Stage 9: Issoire to St. Flour, 129.2 miles

Cyclists are entering foreign territory here. The ambiguity this stretch of the race holds, coupled with the roads being far too narrow, makes for a lot of uncertainty. It's relatively long and disarray is almost guaranteed to ensue.

Stage 14: Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille, 104.7 miles

Five mountain passes are featured in this stage alone. This is where the competition really picks up, as cyclists are really getting into the meat and potatoes of the race. While competition is at an all-time high for the racers, the course only gets tougher.

Stage 18: Pinerolo to Galibier (Serre-Chevalier), 124.5 miles

Three hors category climbs are featured in this race. An hors category climb is beyond classification, making it almost laughable the one stage possesses three of them. The cyclists are in the thick of the competition, and the Alps. This stage will likely decide the winner of the race. Any racer who can take on this mountainous stage and reign supreme deserves it. 

For all cycling news, analysis and updates be sure and check out Bleacher Report's Cycling Center.

-Kyle Vassalo

K. D. Aubert Sara Spraker Alexis Bledel Kim Kardashian China Chow