cycling: Tour de France Stage #3 Prediction: Today it's the turn of the punchers!

Cycling: This year's Tour de France is very varied right from the start. After opening time trial and the Flat stage for the sprinters the wavy third stage is something for the puncheur. Who has the best cards for the stage win? Will the yellow jersey change shoulders?

Today there are five mountain classifications in three countries

While the first stage was only driven on German soil, the field was already on the road in two countries with Germany and Belgium on the second stage. During today's third stage, three countries will be visited. The start is in Verviers, Belgium. During the day, the Tour de France will make a detour to Luxembourg before reaching France for the first time this year. The peloton reaches the finish line after 212,5 kilometers in Longwy. Unlike yesterday, today is almost constantly up and down. A total of five mountain classifications have to be completed, which is why a major change in the mountain classification is essential. So far, Taylor Phinney (BMC) is unrivaled in the lead in this ranking, as he is the only driver who has been able to collect points.

The finish is too easy for the climbers and too difficult for the sprinters

There will also be shifts in the overall standings today. Geraint Thomas (Sky) has the skills to defend the yellow jersey again today. For the sprinters, however, the chances of staying within striking distance after today's stage are slim. The reason for this is the generally wavy profile, but the last climb in particular should separate the wheat from the chaff. The Côte des Religieuses goes up to the destination of Longwy. With a length of 1,6 kilometers and an average gradient of 5,8 percent, it is probably too easy for climbers, but far too difficult for pure sprinters. Therefore, the puncheurs come into focus. Today's winner definitely has to be strong in sprinting, because the climb becomes flatter and flatter towards the end. It cannot be assumed that a soloist can detach beforehand. A successful breakaway attempt on the third day of the Tour de France is also considered unlikely.

Our tip: Peter Sagan strikes for the first time

World Champion Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) was very disappointed yesterday. Suddenly he was in the wind and had to start the sprint very early. In the end it was only enough for tenth place. Even in the intermediate sprint he could not collect many points. Everything is supposed to get better today – and the chances of that happening are extremely good. The entire stage and especially the finish suits the Slovakian perfectly. However, he will not win the section without resistance, because there are numerous competitors in his category as well. The Australian Michael Matthews (Sunweb) as well as the Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and the Italian should definitely be mentioned here Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Merida). All of them are among the strong sprinters who can also survive undulating terrain well. The French champion Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin) have already proven in their careers that they can master such a profile on good days. The Swiss hopes rest on Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) and the fans from Germany believe in John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo). If the final climb is a bit harder than we can see on the profile, then the finish could also be something for Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) or Diego Ulissi (UAE). All in all, our considerations result in the following pyramid of favorites for the third stage of the Tour de France 2017:

***Peter Sagan
** Michael Matthews, Arnaud Demare
* John Degenkolb, Sonny Colbrelli, Alexander Kristoff

2017 Tour de France standings after Stage #2