The riders know these roads well from the Ardennes Classics, particularly Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The course starts flat but gets increasingly rolling towards the finish. A key moment will be the 6km climb of the Col du Rosier, a Liège staple but tackled today from the opposite direction to usual.
The puncheurs who make their names in the one-day Classics will be queuing up to attack here, while the sprinters and their teams will be determined to limit the deficit over the climb and bring back any breakaways in the final 12km from the climb to the finish.
Stage profile
-
'I think I'd prefer to win all three Grand Tours' – Jonas Vingegaard hints further at Giro d'Italia focus in 2026 despite Tour de France remaining the 'biggest objective'
Dane would be chasing a maiden victory on debut at the Italian Grand Tour if he can fit it into his schedule -
Best cycling base layers: The starting point for on bike comfort
The best cycling base layers are an essential foundation for optimal temperate regulation -
'As good as Merckx... Come on' – Belgian cycling legend calls it 'crazy' to consider Tadej Pogačar as greatest of all time
Roger De Vlaeminck delivers honest assessment of the stars of today's peloton, describes Evenepoel as 'arrogant' -
Would Tadej Pogačar win on a bike from 10 years ago? Luke Rowe says 'no chance'
'It's advanced too much'
