Orchies – Boulogne-sur-Mer
Distance: 197km
Highest point: 193m
Category: Rolling
Primed for the puncheurs
This stage could cause some surprises due to the tricky nature of the closing kilometres. It starts at Orchies, a name synonymous with the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix. However, rather than pavé, it’s short, steep hills that are on today’s agenda. There are four testing climbs in the closing 16km before the final 700m-long climb up to the finish. All five are categorised for the mountains jersey competition. As at Seraing, the puncheurs will thrive but the overall contenders should also break cover today, especially as they will want to be at the front of the action to avoid needless crashes in what will be a very nervy peloton.
Jérémy Roy: "The last 60 kilometres contain a series of bumps where attacks may be launched. The final is very hard, with Mt Lambert and the hill in Boulogne. Anything is possible but I think we will arrive in small groups and the puncheurs will prevail."
Maps and profiles courtesy of ASO.
-
Lauren Stephens wins women's UCI five-day Tour de Bloom with Queen stage victory
Alison Jackson gets first stage and GC wins of year in Europe, Riley Amos and Savilia Blunk win Whiskey 50 titles - North American Roundup -
Boucles de l'Aulne: Lewis Askey earns his first pro victory with long sprint in Châteaulin
Benoît Cosnefroy crosses the line ahead Clément Venturini from chasers to complete podium -
'I'm still believing' - Egan Bernal continues to pursue dream of a third Grand Tour victory at Giro d'Italia
Bernal to wear newly designed national champion's jersey in homage to historic Café de Colombia team's 1987 Vuelta a España victory -
'Now I've started enjoying cycling' – Ambitious Tom Pidcock enters first Giro d'Italia with refreshed mindset at Q36.5
'The only unknown is probably the longer climbs, but apart from that, I think I can be quite competitive every day' says Brit
