Cycling: Tomorrow begins the final phase of the Tour of France. On the 16th stage, five climbs have to be conquered - and the dangerous descents mastered. In our Tour de France preview, we bet on little movement between the favorites and on a stage winner from the breakaway group: Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe)!
The Tour de France reaches the Pyrenees
In beautiful Carcassonne, the drivers were allowed to have theirs today second rest day enjoy. No transfer, no stress: This is how you can really enjoy a day off. In addition to the comfortable training hours and the pleasant massages, the pros will also have thought about tomorrow. The last week of the Tour of France begins on Tuesday. In the department of Aude, it goes from Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon. The peloton has to get on the bikes at 11:30 a.m., because the distance is 218,0 kilometers second longest stage at. After a leisurely pace at first Pyrenees foothills starts, the profile changes its character no later than 70 kilometers before the finish. One mountain of the second category and two mountains of the first category invite climbers to dance. It can be strongly assumed that we will again see two races in one: In the breakaway group it is about the stage win, in the peloton it is about the overall ranking.
Tour de France Stage 16 climb preview
- 193,0km to go: Cote de Fanjeaux (4rd category / 2,4 km at 4,9%)
- 146,0km to go: Cote de Pamiers (4rd category / 2,3 km at 5,8%)
- 62,5km to go: Col de Portet d'Aspet (2rd category / 5,4 km at 7,1%)
- 47,0km to go: Col de Mente (1rd category / 6,9 km at 8,1%)
- 10,0km to go: Col du Portillon (1rd category / 8,3 km at 7,1%)
A short detour to Spain
Almost would be Tour de France 2018 remained completely in France, but the Grand Tour then made a small detour abroad. On tomorrow's 16th stage, the professionals will ride a 15,5-kilometer section in Spain. After descending the Col de Menté, we are in the neighboring country up to the top of the Col du Portillon. In the eastern Pyrenees In addition to the ascents, it is also important to pay attention to the descents. The stage win without good downhill skills seems almost impossible, because the last two mountains don't have particularly good ones road quality. In addition, some tight curves to master if you want to stretch your arms in the air and cheer in the destination of Bagnères-de-Luchon. In our Tour de France preview we expect hard-fought duels in the breakaway group. For example, we can expect that Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) around that mountain jersey will fight.
Velomotion prognosis: Rafal Majka with the red number will win tomorrow
In addition to the contenders for the mountain jersey, we will find numerous strong climbers in the leading group. It can be assumed that those who have so far disappointed in the fight for the yellow jersey will take part in an escape. If we look at the overall standings, we see a deficit of more than nine minutes starting at #11. Quite a distance, which is why sky train does not necessarily want to thwart an attack at first. This is why, in our Tour de France preview of the 16th stage, well-known professionals are among the favorites to win the day. Our tip catches the eye Rafal Mayka (Bora-hansgrohe), who already yesterday was about to win the stage. Tomorrow it's all downhill after the steady Col du Portillon, so the first on the summit should have a good chance of winning the day. Presumably it will too Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) sneak into the group. The competitors should try to avoid a sprint against the Brit – unless you are called Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). There Bob jungels (Quick-Step Floors) and Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) still want to be in the top 10, they can be expected tomorrow.
***Rafal Majka
**Adam Yates, Alejandro Valverde
* Warren Barguil, Bob Jungels, Ilnur Zakarin
