Liège – Seraing- 198km
Highest point: 606m
Category: rolling
Made to measure for Gilbert
This rolling stage touches on the Ardennes but is nothing as tough as the Liège-Bastogne-Liège one-day Classic run through the same terrain. The sprinters should be able to stick in the peloton all day but many of them are likely to struggle to remain in contention on the long and fairly steep drag up to the finish. Rising for more than 2km at an average of 5 percent, it is sure to suit the race’s puncheurs. Chief among them, of course, is Philippe Gilbert, for whom winning here on home ground and taking the yellow jersey would make his year. Gilbert is sure to have an eye on Liquigas-Cannondale powerhouse Peter Sagan.
Sean Yates: "It’s lumpy and in Belgium. Omega-Quick-Step could be in yellow with Tony Martin after the prologue and will want to protect that and bring it to a sprint. That would play into our hands for Cav."
Maps and profiles courtesy of ASO
-
'Hazardous weather outlook' issued Saturday for US region where Big Sugar Gravel plans to crown champions for Life Time Grand Prix
Contingency plan from organisers includes shortening route and delaying morning starts if weather is severe -
'I should have stopped the team last year' - Belgian ProTeam Wagner Bazin WB to end as sponsor hunt fails
Team founded as Wallonie Bruxelles in 2011 to disband -
Tour de France 2026 – All the route rumours ahead of the official presentation
The details we know about next summer's men's Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes -
Best indoor cycling shoes 2025: Fast and cool shoes for indoor cycling
The best indoor cycling shoes need to be adjustable, feature lots of ventilation and deliver plenty of pedal power. Here's our favourite options
