If you want to annoy a rider, ask them how the transition stage went. Once upon a time as the race rode between the Alps and Pyrenees a breakaway could slip away and everyone else was left to complete the course stress-free. Not any more.
Tour de France Stage 15 Preview
Another day, another tricky route. On paper this route looked like 60-40 for the breakaway vs. the sprint but given the tough racing so far and the struggles of several sprinters it suits the breakaway more, which in turn will encourage more to try their luck, and so increasing the chance of a strong move staying away.
Tour de France Stage 12 Preview
After yesterday’s stage for the age, a superb encore. There’s more climbing and the final climb of Alpe d’Huez, a celebrity climb because of numerous appearances but also just a steep one. Can Tadej Pogačar mount a comeback in the heat or will Jumbo-Visma have the race under their grip?
Antoine Blondin
Playwright, novelist, political commentator, drunkard and every July, a sports columnist. Antoine Blondin made L’Equipe required reading during cycling’s golden age.
Tour de France Stage 11 Preview
The first of two big days in the Alps, the profile above says plenty especially if you study both axes, just 151km on the x-axis, but a y-axis of evil, today has 4,000m of vertical gain, almost all of which comes in the second half of the stage.
Tour de France Stage 10 Preview
A mountain stage but without any fearsome climbs, today’s stage connects two ski resorts and gets the legs turning ahead of the two crucial Alpine stages this week with the Col du Granon tomorrow and Alpe d’Huez the day after.
Tour Rest Day Review
The Tour de France has a pause in Morzine and the surrounding area, and almost every rider will have gone for a ride today in order to keep the legs turning over. A few thoughts and observations on the race so far…
Tour de France Stage 9 Preview
192km and into the Alps, this is a mountain stage as the tall peaks and ski resorts show but it’s a warm-up for the big days to come next week.