The Stage
A brief respite from the mountains as we have a transitional stage that is no picnic, which an exciting finish at Rodez, last visited for the Tour in 2015.
We leave Blagnac to depart and then have an uncategorised peak at Villaries, and then flat roads to the intermediate sprint at Rabastens. The roads begin to rise gently at 81 kms, as we pass Senoulliac and down the road we have the real puncheur style racing in earnest.
There Cote du viaduct du Viaur and Čote de Centres are significant enough to shake things up 2.3km at 7.3% and 2.3km at 7.7% respectively. From then on it’s straight to the finish.
The Finish
From 20kms to go there’s a climb that isn’t categorised but rises steeply enough to be a launch point. It as used in 2015 and the same descent, starting at La Primaube and then hurtling down to the Cote de Saint-Pierre, which is a sensational uphill sprint, 9.6% for 560m.
Here is the 2015 finish
The Contenders
The last time we came here there was a tremendous uphill battle where a late attack was bought by back by two of the World’s premier uphill sprinters, Greg Van Avaermaet taking the win ahead of Sagan. Sagan now being out means that a likely bunch sprint battle would come down to the Belgian and Sunweb’s Michael Matthews.
Edvald Boasson Hagen has also been sprinting well, with Dimension Data doing excellent leadout work through many of the flat sprint stages, and this might suit him more than the flat one. John Degenkolb has recovered his best form, appears to be fully fit and has a quick turn of pace to go with the best here.
Quick-Step’s Tour could scarcely get any better but they have two chances today if the bunch is present. Philippe Gilbert has firmly established himself as one of the world’s best riders with a sensational classics campaign an whilst he has been working for Marcel Kittel, if let go today, he would be the equal of anyone as he’s already shown numerous times this year.
AG2R have cards to play if they’re not soft-pedalling after yesterday. Jan Bakelants and Belgian Oliver Naesen have both excelled on these finishes before and would need serious consideration.
The Break
After a gruelling stage yesterday, the break would have a good chance here especially as the onus to keep a gap in check will fall on Sunweb, with Michael Matthews the obvious sprint contender. BMC will be tired following hard days in the mountains chasing wins – Quick-Step might have an interest in chasing for Gilbert but they have so many wins the tour could end now and they would be happy.
So with that in mind, escape artists will have a serious chance of going today.
The Weather
Sunshine and crosswinds of 20kmh, but no dangerous.
