This stage is made for an escape artist in the style of Laurent Jalabert - or whoever takes his place in this year's peloton - who was able to push hard enough on the climbs to get away. The finish is atop Cote de la Croix-Neuve, a brutally steep climb of 10.1% for 3.1km after climbing the Cote de Chabrits, a cat 3 short climb of 1.7km with a tough 7.1% gradient. Michael Boogerd and Alexandre Vinokourov could both be in the mix for a win on this stage within the Massif Central - look for some shuffles on GC as riders tire after 10 days of climbing, and the final selection is made before the race against the clock.
TOPICS
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US Cyclocross Nationals: Eric Brunner goes solo to secure third elite men's title
In a battle between collegiate racers, Ivan Sippy takes second and Brody McDonald third in final race of event -
US Cyclocross Nationals: Pan American cyclocross champion Lizzy Gunsalus holds off Katherine Sarkisov to win elite women's title
U23 Sarkisov sisters chose to race elites, with both ending up on the podium as Alyssa Sarkisov takes third -
US Cyclocross Nationals: Ethan Brown races to solo win, secures men’s junior 17–18
Matthew Crabbe takes silver as Noah Scholnick fades to third place -
'It was certainly not the easiest course to open my winter' - Mathieu van der Poel overcomes early crash on cyclocross return
Seven-time world champion blames lack of preparation for technical mistakes
