cycling: Tour de France Stage #8 Prediction: Best Chances for Breakaway

Cycling: The eighth stage of the 2017 Tour de France is scheduled for tomorrow. The section is officially classified as a hill stage. Therefore, we believe in good odds for outliers. Who is eligible as a stage winner?

A wavy stage is ideal for breakaways

So far we haven't seen a successful breakaway attempt at the 2017 Tour de France. That could change tomorrow! Because the eighth stage is literally ideal for an escape. The undulating profile takes riders 187,5 kilometers from Dole to Station des Rousses. The professionals will be heading south. After about 140 kilometers it goes east until you almost reach the Swiss border. Three mountain classifications must be completed. The last peak is La Combe de Laisia-Les Molunes. It belongs to the first category and is crossed twelve kilometers before the finish. With a length of 11,7 kilometers and an average gradient of 6,4 percent, the mountain is definitely a serious obstacle.

Will the classification drivers even show themselves today?

After the ascent, twelve mostly flat or even slightly downhill kilometers still have to be completed to reach the finish line. If none of the drivers manages to break away from their fellow competitors, a smaller group will sprint. It is not to be expected that there will be any attacks in relation to the overall ranking before the last climb. However, La Combe de Laisia-Les Molunes will then provoke attacks. But since there are still twelve kilometers that are not uphill, at least no ranking driver will want to break away as a soloist. With a corresponding pace, however, it could well happen that the participants in the rankings find themselves in different groups. Then there would be a chase to the finish. But it seems unlikely that it is also about winning the stage.

Our tip: Diego Ulissi wins a stage of the Tour de France for the first time

The theory of a successful escape group seems much more likely to us. A presumably rather large group will break away from the main draw very early on. Since there will be no team in the peloton that really wants to follow, the lead is increasing rapidly. We then get to see two races: up front it's about the day's win and in the main field it's about the overall ranking. Of course, numerous drivers come into question for such an escape. We chose three well-known favorites because of their tough profile: Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors), Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Diego Ulissi (UAE). All three professionals should get over the wavy profile well and at the same time be given freedom in their teams. In the end we choose Diego Ulissi. The Italian is in good shape and would be hard to beat in a small group sprint. Even if no breakaway gets through, Ulissi can triumph from the decimated field.

Many drivers are eligible for a breakaway coup

In addition to our three top favorites, there is a whole list of potential candidates. In any case, the teams Wanty-Groupe Gobert and Fortuneo-Oscaro will send a driver to the front. The French teams will not want to miss the chance tomorrow either. Jan Bakelants and Alexis Vuillermoz are particularly noteworthy for Ag2r. This profile also suits Arthur Vichot (FDJ) and Julien Simon (Cofidis). Direct should send energy to the front for several drivers. Thomas Voeckler, Lilian Calmejane and Sylvain Chavanel would be capable of something here. The Swiss are hoping for Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott). Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) could also get a free pass. A secret favorite is certainly the Italian Alberto Bettiol (Cannondale-Drapac), who is on the third stage at least finished fifth. Either way: Tomorrow the Tour de France should be really exciting on several levels.

Tour de France preview: Those were the Velomotion predictions

The current overall ranking of the 2017 Tour de France after 7 of 21 stages