After a nod to Liège-Bastogne-Liège yesterday, Tour organisers ASO pay homage to another race in their portfolio by taking the field over several of the cobbled sections from Paris-Roubaix.
There are 13.2km of pavé hell for the riders to deal with in seven separate sections. The last four are in France and particularly nasty, the final one just 10km from the finish.
It’s been six years since the Tour last encountered the cobbles. Back in 2004 the hopes of principal Spanish contender Iban Mayo were blown away in the dust. The sylph-like Alberto Contador will be hoping he doesn’t suffer the same fate. The finish is at the entrance to Roubaix’s infamous Arenberg Forest.
Stage profile
-
Former WorldTour rider Vinicius Rangel Costa banned for 20 months over whereabouts failures
Brazilian missed three whereabouts for anti-doping controls in a year -
Tour de France 2026 contenders – Analysing the riders who will be in the battle for yellow next July
Following the route announcement, here's the current state of affairs regarding the favourites, the outsiders and the total dark horses -
Zwift vs MyWhoosh vs Rouvy – which is the indoor training app for you?
Here's how to choose the best indoor training app for you this winter -
Indoor training jargon buster
Know your ERG from your Level, your Direct Drive from your Smart Bike
