Cycling: What a sensational start to the Tour in Rimini! Tomorrow the Tour de France continues with fewer meters of elevation – but excitement is still guaranteed.
Again nothing for the pure sprinters?
The second stage of the 2024 Tour de France is also a challenging one and not for the classic sprinters. On the 199,2-kilometer course from Cesenatico to Bologna, the cyclists will face six categorized climbs. All of these are classified as third or fourth category climbs, which is why they are more accurately described as hills than mountains. Nevertheless, they will ensure that the stage winner is not a typical sprinter.
Who is attacking on the Côte de San Luca?
While the Côte de Monticino, the Côte de Gallisterna, the Côte de Botteghino di Zocca , and the Côte de Montecalvo won't yet have a decisive impact on the race, this will certainly change on the Côte de San Luca (1,9 km with a 10,4% gradient). This climb will be tackled twice. With its length of almost two kilometers and an average gradient of over ten percent, this is where the wheat will be separated from the chaff. Even hill-climbing sprinters like Jasper Philipsen, Arnaud de Lie, and Mads Pedersen will only be able to stay with the peloton on a very good day. Attacks from strong punchers are guaranteed 12,5 kilometers from the finish.
Velomotion forecast: Van der Poel wins as a soloist
Tomorrow's Tour stage is made for the classics hunters. We should also have someone who can win Milan-Sanremo in our sights for tomorrow. Mathieu van der Poel is made for this section. The Dutchman was able to conserve his energy today so that he is now in top shape. He could attack on the last climb and get away from everyone. But the list of his opponents is long. In the sprint he could face Wout van Aert. But we shouldn't write off Mads Pedersen, Arnaud de Lie and his team-mate Jasper Philipsen either.
* * * Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck)
* * Wout van Aert (Visma – LaB), Mads Pedersen (Lidl – Trek)
* Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck), Arnaud de Lie (Lotto – Dstny), Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers)