Another stage with 'sprint' written all over it. There are two 4th-category climbs heading south-west from the Champagne centre of Épernay, but little to trouble the sprinters and their teams heading into Montargis.
Expect the traditional first week formula of ‘breakaway + chase = sprint’ to apply. The last time the Tour headed into Montargis the fastmen held sway, as Belgian-based Australian Robbie McEwen romped to victory in 2005.
Stage profile
TOPICS
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Great Britain captures calendar spot for 2026-27 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup with Glasgow confirmed as host
Full schedule for 12-race series now completed, with first two rounds in Czechia before 'cross competition in Scotland -
'Florian Vermeersch was too generous to Mathieu van der Poel' – Sean Kelly questions tactics on display at Opening Weekend
In his recent Cyclingnews column, the Irishman dissects the major tactical talking points as the Classics got underway -
After nine months of teasing, Specialized finally launches new tubeless cotton tyres
Specialized has launched the tyres that the pros were racing on at Opening Weekend -
'Suddenly there were shards of glass on the road' – More bad luck hits Wout van Aert in first race back and rules him out of challenging for victory at Ename Samyn Classic
Belgian rider will hope for better fortune at his next appearance, Saturday's Strade Bianche
