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Day two of the transitional phase from the Pyrenees to the Alps may possibly be potentially another stage where the general classification favourites need to be very attentive.
The stage rolls out from the town of Rodez, and travels just under 180 kilometres to the town of Monde. What lies in between are some extremely steep roads which may even punish the best of the peloton.
On the menu for today are four categorised climbs, with three of them in the last 40 kilometres of today’s proceedings, including the summit of the Cote de la Croix Neuve, which tops out within the last one and a half kilometres.
The first climb of the day is only after 20 kilometres, with the Cote de Pont-de-Salars being a fourth category climb. For the next 20 kilometres we see rolling roads where there is the potential, if it has not eventuated already, of a breakaway.
After 78 kilometres, the one and only intermediate sprint is placed. With Andre Greipel needing points in the Green jersey competition, do not be surprised to see Lotto-Soudal try and keep things together so Greipel can gain the maximum points available at the intermediate sprint.
The next 50 kilometres sees a very slight rise in the road before we hit the longest climb of the day, the second category climb of the Cote de Sauveterre, which is nine kilometres at an average gradient of six per cent.
Depending on how far the breakaway is in front, this may be a launch pad for attackers to have a go, with just over 30 kilometres remaining after the summit of the climb.
The penultimate climb is a rated as a Category 4. The Cote de Charbrits is two kilometres at six per cent. It comes with less than 10 kilometres to go in the stage. Once again, potential for another launch pad for riders willing to attack.
The final climb will be the most decisive, and most destructive on today’s proceedings. The three-kilometre ascent of the Cote de la Croix Neuve averages out at 10 per cent, a stinging finale for today’s stage.
Race director Christian Prudhomme described the climb as one that, “only the strongest will have their word to say”. If any of the general classification favourites have not recovered from their efforts in the Pyrennes, the final climb could blow the race to pieces due to the steep gradient.
The last time the tour finished using the final climb was in 2010, were Joaquim Rodriguez won the stage, with Alberto Contador close behind. Ultimately, the main general classification contenders finished only 10 seconds back, so I wouldn’t expect major time losses today.
However, I think today will be another stage for the breakaway, as the riders will want to recuperate further from their efforts over the last four days.
Favourites
Today could be important for a few teams that, as of yet, have not won stages in this year’s tour. One of those teams is Orica-GreenEDGE.
With Simon and Adam Yates, and Pieter Weening in the squad, today’s stage could be one which is targeted by the team. As of yet, they have been unsuccessful in getting a rider in the breakaway, so today it will be of upmost importance if they want to contend.
For mine, one of the Yates boys would be more suited to the final climb, due to the steepness of the finish.
So far in this tour, Adam Yates has featured strongly up both the Mur de Bretagne, and the climb to Saint-Martin, finishing in the top 10, a very commendable result considering a fairly low key year to date.
His brother Simon, though, has been fabulous this year, and is in good form after finishing top 10 at the Criterium Du Dauphine, while also finishing in the top 10 of the stage up the Mur De Huy, a similar level of gradient to today’s finishing climb.
Other teams that have not won a stage yet, and have riders who could win from the break, include Rui Costa from Lampre, Warren Barguil from Giant-Alpecin, Pierre Roland from Europcar, Thibaut Pinot from FDJ, Julian Arredondo from Trek, Daniel Navarro from Cofidis and Louis Meintjes from MTN Qhubecka.
If it comes back for the general classification favourites, I would not be surprised to see Alejandro Valverde take the win. He has look very spritely in the Pyrenees, and looks to have got some form that was not present up the Mur de Huy, where he was expected to dominate.
Also, do not rule out Dan Martin and Rodriguez for a stage like this, it perfectly suits their punchy riding style.
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