01-07-2021, 23:48
Tomorrow's stage is a long, hard slog of 249.1km from Vierzon to Le Creusot. The first two-thirds is fairly innocuous with an intermediate sprint at 115km, but it then becomes interesting with 5 categorised climbs in 80km, followed by a run to the finish of 8km.
The Peter Sagan of old would have relished this stage by being in a large, organised, early breakaway for both the intermediate sprint and being there or thereabouts towards the finish. Thomas De Ghent would have been an ideal lieutenant and he would be suited to a long day in a breakaway.
Alaphilippe and Pogacar will surely attack on the Category 2 climb 18km from home to cause a bit of mayhem among some of the GC contenders. If he's still in the reckoning, van Aert might be tempted to try for a late charge up the final Category 4 climb to steal a march on his GC rivals.
One thing is certain - there will be lots of attacks in the later parts of this stage. Speed downhill will be just as important as speed uphill. Thrills and spills might be the order of the day.
The Peter Sagan of old would have relished this stage by being in a large, organised, early breakaway for both the intermediate sprint and being there or thereabouts towards the finish. Thomas De Ghent would have been an ideal lieutenant and he would be suited to a long day in a breakaway.
Alaphilippe and Pogacar will surely attack on the Category 2 climb 18km from home to cause a bit of mayhem among some of the GC contenders. If he's still in the reckoning, van Aert might be tempted to try for a late charge up the final Category 4 climb to steal a march on his GC rivals.
One thing is certain - there will be lots of attacks in the later parts of this stage. Speed downhill will be just as important as speed uphill. Thrills and spills might be the order of the day.
Cabbage is still good for you