[ritchiebaby]

Tomorrow's stage starts in Dunkerque and travels 171kms to Calais, even though the two towns are only 44 kms apart. The hilly stage should suit the tougher sprinters like Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, Mathieu van der Poel and Peter Sagan. There are no difficult climbs, only 6 Category 4s but it will be the cumulative effect plus the expected coastal winds that might prove decisive. I'd expect at least two breakaways with an attack from a breakaway in the last 50kms. Keep an eye open for https://www.compagniedudragon.com/en in Calais. I'll be disappointed if there's not a photo opportunity there.

On Wednesday, the curse of the cobbles could strike with a vengeance, even though the stage profile from Lille Metropole to Arenberg Porte Du Hainaut is fairly flat. The leading GC contenders will have their own litle joust putting safe passage ahead of all else, but this test is tailor-made for the likes of Tom Pidcock, who could soar up the GC rankings, as well as the above mentioned riders. Expect the unexpected. Lille is famous to people of my generation as the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle of airport fame. Arenberg is famous for coal mines and cobbled tracks, which will find a few victims.