The Stage - Challenging terrain, although it is just a taster of what’s to come given that we head through to the Alps where we will have an epic weekend of racing. Potentially one for the breakaway too.
The Route - We leave Salon-de-Provence to take in many of the same roads that were used for the final of Stage 19 of the Tour last year. There is a flat run before the race head to more natural climes – those of the Luberon Natural Park, where the road begins to rise for the first time with the ascent of the Col du Pontu, a 4-kilometre climb that averages 5.1%.
This then sees the riders head straight into the Col De Lagarde-d’Apt, a first category climb that’s 11 kilometres long and averages 7%, after which there’s a descent into Saint-Christon which sees the riders start climbing once again. This section ends with the Col du Negron, a Category 3 climb which is listed as 69kms at 3%, although the road rises from the moment the riders have descended off the Lagarde and in reality they are going uphill for 18 kilometres.
There is a very long descent for the riders to tackle before the last 20 kilometres.
The Finish - The last 20 kilometres are a circuit of sorts around the town of Sisteron. The riders will pass through the Citadelle De Sisteron as they head right through the City Centre before departing to head out to the D948 and then take the Cote de la Marquise, which is 1.3km at 6.4%, before a later intermediate sprint taken just after the descent and then another similar ramp which is uncategorised, all in the space of about three kilometres.
There’s then a downhill run into Sisteron again, before the last 2 kilometres which drag gently uphill to the line at around 2%.
Taking the D946, the turns are not that complicated to head into the final 5 kilometres off the D-Roads and the last two kilometres have only a slight curve to the left.
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The Winner - Will have to be able to finish fast although a good descent could be enough to distance and there’s the chance for attacks like we saw two days ago. Climbing is also going to be a useful asset.
The Contenders - This looks like the first stage where a breakaway has a strong chance and after the time trial yesterday there will be plenty of gaps.
Direct Energie have already won a race with Johnathan Hivert and this seems ideal terrain for the Frenchman, who is safely out of contention for the overall after losing time against the clock yesterday. Strong performances over rolling terrain in the Cycliste International La Provence and also the Haut Var Matin indicate he should handle the terrain and whilst he benefitted a great deal from the efforts of Luis Leon Sanchez two days ago, he’s clearly been feeling good and was much quicker than him or Remy di Gregorio (Delko Marseille Provence).
Those two would look like strong contenders although Sylvain Chavanel is another card Direct-Energie have to play; Pierre Rolland (EF Education) likes this sort of territory although it might not be tough enough yet for Nicolas Roche (BMC).
Lillian Calmejane posted a very strong effort against the clock and is perhaps too close o the leaders given that he’s only a minute down, and his chances probably rely on the peloton being able to keep a break in check – something which must apply to names such as Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step), Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal), Tony Gallopin and Alexis Vuillermoz (AG2R), along with Dylan Teuns (BMC).
If the sprinters can stick on through the second half of the stage then Dylan Groenewegen (Lotto-Jumbo) is the pick but Arnaud Demare seems the best of the sprinters are climbing through and he was the best of the bunch on stage 3 where Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) was impressive in making it towards the end.
