cycling: Tour de France stage #16 prognosis: How does Kittel cope with the wind, weather and start?

Cycling: Tomorrow is after second rest day the Tour de France the next flat stage on the program. Actually a clear thing for Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) - if it weren't for the beginning of the stage. This is classified as extremely hilly. In addition, a strong wind will probably blow through the field tomorrow. So it could be an exciting flat stage.

First wavy, then flat

After the second day of rest, the Tour de France will continue at a relatively leisurely pace. From Le Puy-en-Velay, the pros drive over 165 kilometers to Romans-sur-Isère. This section is classified as a flat stage, although the first 110 kilometers are almost all up and down. Two mountain classifications await the drivers within this first half of the race. These belong to the fourth or third category and are therefore relatively easy for the sprinters to master. The last 50 to 60 kilometers correspond to a typical flat stage. Although it sometimes goes uphill and downhill here, the altitude difference is ultimately negligible. The last kilometer is then slightly uphill again. But the prevailing percentages there should not have any impact on the result.

Our tip: Marcel Kittel fills up half a dozen

If you look at the profile of the stage, you can definitely assume a bunch sprint. However, the wavy start is not the only challenge for the pros. A relatively strong wind is also expected, which – in the truest sense of the word – has to be overcome. Not only the sprinters are in demand, but also the classification drivers. If someone is caught on the wrong foot tomorrow, he can lose several minutes if the wind is actually strong. Since the Quick-Step Floors team is by far the best classic team, we assume that Marcel Kittel can be perfectly protected. Nothing stands in the way of his sixth victory. Michael Matthews' Team Sunweb may try to distance the German from the start. However, this will not succeed over the entire distance. Our tip: Marcel Kittel wins his sixth stage and consolidates the green jersey!

*** Marcel Kittel
** Michael Matthews, André Greipel
* Dylan Groenewegen, Alexander Kristoff, Nacer Bouhanni

Tour de France preview: Those were the Velomotion predictions

The current overall ranking of the 2017 Tour de France after 15 of 21 stages