Cycling: It's getting serious! The Tour de France 2021 reaches the mountains on the eighth stage and climbs to over 1.600 meters. A total of a little more than 3.500 meters in altitude have to be climbed. The favorites are in demand! How is Mathieu van der Poel doing?
The first mountain stage creates clarity
Even though we've already completed seven stages - and thus a third of the Tour de France - we still know almost nothing about the climbing form of the pros. Sure: In the time trial, Tadej Pogacar was in a class of his own and everything currently looks like a successful defense of the title. But the mountains don't start until tomorrow. Then there is one 150,8 km stage from Oyonnax to Le Grand-Bornand on the program. It includes five mountain classifications, three of which belong to the first category and have to be climbed within the last 50 kilometers. Only a really strong climber can win this stage. In addition to the fight for the day's victory and the seconds for the overall ranking, this section is also about a lot of points in the mountain ranking for the first time. Can stage winner Matej Mohoric defend his polka dot jersey? And how is Mathieu van der Poel doing?
The key moments of the 8st stage
- Departure from Oyonnax at 13:15
- Sprint classification in Frangy 106,0 km / 44,8 km
- 3rd category climb: Côte de Copponex (6,5 km a 4,4%) 88,9 km / 61,9 km
- Mountain classification 4th category: Côte de Menthonnex-en-Bornes (2,7 km a 4,9%) 78,3 km / 72,5 km
- Category 1 mountains: Côte de Mont-Saxonnex (5,7 km a 8,3%) 46,8 km / 104,0 km
- Category 1 mountains: Col de Romme (8,8 km a 8,9%) 28,7 km / 122,1 km
- Category 1 mountain classification & bonus sprint: Col de la Colombière (7,5 km a 8,5%) 14,7 km / 136,1 km
- Arrival at Le Grand-Bornand between 17:00 and 17:45
Velomotion forecast: Pogacar sets the next exclamation point
The experts agree: This eighth stage of the Tour de France is even tougher than it looks. Because the three mountains in the first category can be climbed directly one after the other and all have an average gradient of over 8 percent. If you have a bad day tomorrow, you will lose a lot of time. In addition to the fight between the breakaway group and the peloton, it will primarily be a fight between Tadej pogacar and the rest of the favourites. Because the Slovenian is not only in excellent shape, but also already has a comfortable lead. The challengers are therefore in demand and are forced into the offensive. Above all, Ineos Grenadiers with Richard Carapaz will challenge the UAE Team Emirates. However, he wasted his strength today. Is teammate Geraint Thomas able to follow? We believe in another demonstration by Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian is currently driving like in another world and will now show this in the mountains as well. An insider tip could be Pierre Latour.
☆☆☆ Tadej Pogacar (UAE)
☆☆ Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers), Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step)
☆ Rigoberto Uran (EF – Nippo), Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies), Wilco Kelderman (Bora – hansgrohe)
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