Paradise for the puncheurs
Another of Prudhomme's ploys is to attempt to put the race's major players under pressure on as many days as possible. Although of average length, this run into central Brittany could cause a surprise as the roads in the region are notoriously heavy, meandering and lumpy. That could mean splits in the bunch. More likely, though, are splits among the leaders on the 2km climb to the finish, which will be undertaken at extremely high speed. Once again, puncheurs like Gilbert and FDJ's Pierrick Fédrigo will in their element while the specialist sprinters will struggle.
-
Junior track and road standout Joelle Messemer newest signing for 2025 Canyon-SRAM Generation
Diane Ingabire among three returning riders which ups roster to eight for women's Continental team -
Decathlon AG2R refresh and rebuild for 2025 with new racing kit, new bikes and generational teenage talent
French team hopes to build on 30 wins of 2025 with Paul Seixas, Léo Bisiaux and new DS Luke Rowe -
Eddy Merckx suffers broken hip in cycling crash near Brussels
Legendary five-time Tour de France winner to undergo surgery after 'stupid accident' -
Opinion: Fast bikes shouldn’t have to be pretty as well, and to demand that they are holds the sport back
With the new Colnago Y1Rs launching the comments are ablaze with negativity about its looks, but does this matter at all in a modern race bike you can’t afford anyway?
