Like last year, by making the Pyrenean stages tough but not too tough, Christian Prudhomme’s intention in the Alps is to bring likely contenders to the fore but not give any of them the chance to blow the race apart.
In order to keep the battle for yellow simmering nicely, this stage avoids the big passes for something far less arduous but intriguing nevertheless.
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As it happened: British sensation steals the show in first road stage at La Vuelta a España 2026
The race leaves Monaco and heads to Provence and Manosque with a 214.3 km stage that takes on well over 3000 metres of climbing
