This is the stage that all climbers want to win. Those mythical 21 hairpin bends have become synonymous with the Tour de France and a year without the Alpe seems somehow to have something missing. This is a long stage that takes in the familiar – but no less brutal – Cols du Galibier and Croix de Fer, although as a change they are tackled in a different order from usual.
In all likelihood, the main contenders will sit behind their team-mates for as long as possible and look to make their move on the final steep climb to Alpe d'Huez. The non super-climbers high up in the overall – if there are any left at this stage – will be looking to hold on for as long as possible. For the sprinters however, this will be a day of pure suffering.
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Tour Féminin des Pyrénées: Usoa Ostolaza climbs to stage 2 victory and into GC lead
Nadia Gontova takes second, Ségolène Thomas third on Col du Soulor -
'A bonus to win' – Tadej Pogačar fends off Visma attacks to extend race lead in the heat of Critérium du Dauphiné stage 7
'For me, it's a good motivation for the Tour' says race leader after notching third stage victory of the race -
Dwars door het Hageland: Paul Magnier triumphs from four-man group
Frenchman claims fifth win of season ahead of Rasmus Tiller and Tibor Del Grosso -
'I think I did quite a good job' – Jonas Vingegaard upbeat at Critérium du Dauphiné despite another loss to Tadej Pogačar
'Hopefully I can be even better in the Tour than I am now' says Dane after taking second behind Slovenian on stage 7
