Stage 19 is a long, rolling stage covering 222.5kms from Embrun to Salon-de-Provence. This is the longest stage of the race, and break away specialists who have yet to win a stage will likely fight hard to be in the day’s break. There are three categorized climbs on the stage:
• Km 26.0 – Col Lebraut (4.7kms; 6%) – category 3
• Km 43.0 – Côte de Bréziers (2.3kms; 5.8%) – category 3
• Km 177.5 – Col du Pointu (5.8 kms; 4.1%) – category 3
The intermediate sprint occurs late after several of these rollers at 136.5kms in Banon. While there is a chance for Matthews to go on the attack in green, there are several teams that have yet to get a result in the race and will thus be riding aggressively for the win as well. And, due to the proximity to the coast, this could also be a stage where winds are at play. So, the question becomes who will fight the hardest to get the stage?
Discover more from Bike World News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.