A trick in the tail
You could be forgiven for wondering whether Philippe Gilbert sketched out his dream scenario for week one and the Tour simply went with it. This is by some distance the Tour's longest stage, taking in undulating roads. There are no big hills as such, just constant up and downs taking a toll. Even though you would expect the sprinters to be in control in this region, there is sure to be a late twist on the short, sharp rise towards the basilica in Lisieux, little more than a kilometre from the finish. Any riders who gain seconds there are likely to dispute the finish between them.
TOPICS
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Tour de Vendée: Alexis Renard sprints to first professional victory of his career
Xabier Berasategi is second and Giovanni Lonardi is third in final race of FDJ United Series -
'Finished the season on a high' – Riley Pickrell and Modern Adventure reap the rewards of a season of building the lead out at Le Tour de Langkawi
'What we've accomplished this year, and the trajectory we are on, is really impressive' -
Remco Evenepoel to skip the European Championships time trial to concentrate on next Sunday's Il Lombardia
The new European road champion will celebrate that victory before concentrating on the Italian Monument -
Coppa Agostini: Paul Lapeira returns to winning ways taking a breakaway sprint victory
World Champion Brandon McNulty is second and Andrea Raccagni Noviero takes third in Lissone
