Cycling: Tomorrow is the day. The Tour de France 2019 is entering the decisive phase. There are still three days to go. Then we will know who will win the Tour of France this year. The 18th stage with the Col d'Izoard and the Col du Galibier marks the start of the Alpine trilogy.
More than 5.200 meters in altitude
Cycling fans have been eagerly anticipating this day for weeks. The first Alpine stage of the Tour de France promises a true climbing extravaganza. Over 5.200 meters of elevation gain must be conquered on the 208-kilometer route from Embrun to Valloire . This is primarily due to three mountain passes, all of which exceed 2.000 meters in altitude – highly unusual for a Tour de France stage. The Col de Vars is a Category 1 climb and will already pose significant challenges for sprinters and injured riders. Similarly steep, but considerably longer, is the Col d'Izoard. This Category 1 climb will be the scene of the first attacks. The grand finale awaits us on the Col du Galibier . However, this seemingly endless Alpine pass must also be descended after the ascent.
Key moments of the 18th stage
- Cote des Demoiselles Coiffées (Mountain classification of the 3rd category / 3,9 km at 5,2% / 195,0 km +)
- sprint score in Les Thuiles (163,0 km +)
- Col de Vars (Mountain classification of the 1rd category / 9,3 km at 7,5% / 125,5 km +)
- Col d'Izoard (Mountain classification of the highest category / 14,1 km at 7,3% / 75,0 km +)
- Col du Galibier (Mountain classification of the highest category & bonus sprint / 23,0 km at 5,1% / 19,0 km +)
Alaphilippe is pushed to its limits
The 18th stage of the Tour de France is unlikely to slow down at any point. Too many indicators point to an incredibly fast race. First, numerous riders will be looking for opportunities to launch a successful breakaway. Furthermore, anyone still eyeing the King of the Mountains jersey needs to be at the front today. Therefore, it will take a considerable amount of time for the day's breakaway group to form. The Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées will be tackled at breakneck speed, which could prove disastrous for some of the sprinters. They will need to pay particular attention to the time cut today . Once the breakaway is established, the pace might ease briefly. However, the teams of the general classification contenders will need to make things difficult again on the climb to the Col de Vars to prevent leader Julian Alaphilippe from getting any rest. The Frenchman will only start to struggle if he is pushed to his limits for an extended period in the high mountains.
Velomotion Prognosis: Landa goes early, Thomas wins
Teams Ineos, Jumbo-Visma, and Groupama-FDJ will be primarily responsible for setting a high pace right from the start on the Col de Vars. However, the first attack from the favorites will likely come from Team Movistar. Mikel Landa will probably attack at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. Due to his deficit in the general classification, he will be allowed to go. Since the pace will remain consistently high, and further attacks are expected on the ascent of the Col du Galibier, he will be reeled in – as will the early breakaway group. Only Simon Yates might escape. Julian Alaphilippe should start to show signs of trouble by the middle of the Col du Galibier . The other riders will ruthlessly exploit this. The Frenchman will be dropped, and the remaining favorites will fight either individually or together against the man in the yellow jersey on the descent. If they haven't gained enough time on him by the summit, Alaphilippe will close the gap on the descent – and win the stage in a sprint finish. But the Ineos duo will certainly not allow that. Geraint Thomas strikes back with a stage win, but he can't shake Thibaut Pinot and Emanuel Buchmann .
☆☆☆ Geraint Thomas (Ineos)
* * Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ), Egan Bernal (Ineos)
* Simon Yates (Mitchelton - Scott), Emanuel Buchmann (Bora - hansgrohe), Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo - Visma)
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