Cycling: After today's team time trial, the overall ranking has changed. This is not to be expected on the fourth stage tomorrow. In our Tour de France preview we are once again assuming a mass sprint.
Advantage for Sagan, Kristoff, Matthews and Degenkolb?
At 13:05 p.m. the riders will start the fourth stage of the 2018 Tour de France tomorrow. After 195 kilometers from La Baule to Sarzeau, the finish line is expected to be just before 18 p.m. As on stages #1 and #2, a mass sprint is expected. The profile shows only slight elevations. On the Côte de Saint-Jean-la-Poterie, 59,5 kilometers from the finish, the only mountain point of the day is awarded. The sprint in Derval takes place right in the middle of the stage: 97,5 kilometers after the start and 97,5 kilometers before the finish line. After the bonus sprint in Limerzel, there are still 38,5 kilometers to go. It certainly has things in common with the finish sprint in Sarzeau: the approach is slightly uphill.
Velomotion prognosis: Fernando Gaviria also masters the slight elevation
Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) and his team proved on the first leg that he is currently the fastest man in the peloton. Therefore, the Colombian will also start the fourth stage as a favorite. The average incline of 1,3 percent over the last two kilometers shouldn't shake the balance of power. Although this brings drivers like Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe), Michael Matthews (Sunweb), Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) and John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) closer to him, it shouldn't be enough. The kilometers before are too easy. If the blue and white train from Quick-Step Floors works as usual, Fernando Gaviria only has to stay close to his approacher Maximiliano Richeze and shift up a gear just before the line. We therefore believe – if there are no more falls just before the finish – that Fernando Gaviria will be able to celebrate for the second time at the Tour de France.
***Fernando Gaviria
** Peter Sagan, Dylan Groenewegen
* Marcel Kittel, André Greipel, Alexander Kristoff
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