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?