Cycling: On the fifth day of the Tour de France, the tour really begins for some professionals. Who on the three flat stages and in team time trial couldn't play to his strengths, he will now focus on the small one "Ardennes Classic" be happy. The constant ups and downs and many narrow roads will make for small groups - and definitely not a bunch sprint. But who can celebrate the stage win in Quimper and put on the yellow jersey? In our Tour de France preview, we explore these questions.
110 kilometers only ups and downs
At 12:20 p.m. in Lorient, the riders set off on a ten-kilometer neutralized course on the south-west coast. Immediately after the sharp start there will be the first attacks. In contrast to the flat stages before, however, the composition of the group should take more time. After all, the sprinter teams will not do the tracking work today. The chances of a successful escape attempt therefore increase significantly. The sprint score Roudouallec will be held 92,5 kilometers after the start. Only 1,5 kilometers later, the pros find themselves in the aid zone. After a short descent, the race really begins at 100,0 kilometers. In total, the 204,5-kilometer stage from Lorient to Quimper involves driving 110,0 kilometers either uphill or downhill. The short and steep climbs have to be crossed on narrow roads. The correct position in the field of riders should not be underestimated, as should the art of descending safely.
5 mountain classifications of the 4th and 3rd category
Before the finish can be expected between 17 p.m. and 18 p.m., the drivers have to travel the last 100 kilometers through Brittany five mountain ratings to master the first and second category. So it is clear that after this stage we can admire a new driver in the polka dot jersey. He will probably be part of the breakaway group and prefer classic-like races. The wildcard teams in particular should therefore have kept an eye on tomorrow's section.
- 98,5 km from the finish: Côte de Kaliforn (4th category / 1,7 km at 7,1%)
- 91,5 km from the finish: Côte de Trimen (4th category / 1,6 km at 5,6%)
- 64,0 km before the finish: Côte de la Roche du Feu (3rd category / 1,9 km at 6,6%)
- 45,0 km before the finish: Côte de Menez Quelerc'h (3rd category / 3,0 km at 6,2%)
- 23,5 km from the finish: Côte de la montagne de Locronan (3rd category / 2,2 km at 5,9%)
Can Greg Van Avermaet defend his yellow jersey?
The bonus sprint could also be decisive in the fight for the yellow jersey tomorrow. On the Côte de la chapelle de la Lorette, twelve kilometers from the finish, 3, 2 and 1 seconds are awarded. Overall should greg van avermaet (BMC), however, have a good chance of defending his Maillot Jaune. The Belgian is considered a classics specialist. He is well-versed in the short, vicious climbs and narrow roads. The fact that the final stages are 1.000 He'll be pleased with the 4,8 percent climb over XNUMX meters. He's undoubtedly one of the favorites for the day's victory.
Velomotion forecast: Peter Sagan strengthens his green jersey
However, Greg Van Avermaet has to measure himself against none other than Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe). The world champion loves slightly hilly terrain with an uphill sprint like no other. Michael Matthews (Sunweb) and John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), as well as Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) can also calculate chances on a perfect day. Should the stage be even harder than previously expected, even Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) may come into focus. However, an initial success for the outliers cannot be ruled out.
***Peter Sagan
**Greg Van Avermaet, Sonny Colbrelli
* Julian Alaphilippe, Alejandro Valverde, Michael Matthews
All in all, the favorite has to be Peter Sagan. The world champion has shown in recent years that he can hardly be denied such an opportunity. If you can't shake him off the Côte de la montagne de Locronan with 23,5km to go, he'll be hard to beat.
