Liège – Seraing- 198km
Highest point: 606m
Category: rolling
Made to measure for Gilbert
This rolling stage touches on the Ardennes but is nothing as tough as the Liège-Bastogne-Liège one-day Classic run through the same terrain. The sprinters should be able to stick in the peloton all day but many of them are likely to struggle to remain in contention on the long and fairly steep drag up to the finish. Rising for more than 2km at an average of 5 percent, it is sure to suit the race’s puncheurs. Chief among them, of course, is Philippe Gilbert, for whom winning here on home ground and taking the yellow jersey would make his year. Gilbert is sure to have an eye on Liquigas-Cannondale powerhouse Peter Sagan.
Sean Yates: "It’s lumpy and in Belgium. Omega-Quick-Step could be in yellow with Tony Martin after the prologue and will want to protect that and bring it to a sprint. That would play into our hands for Cav."
-
US Cyclocross Nationals: Henry Coote surprises men's U23 field with solo victory
Ivan Sippy second and Jack Spranger third in Louisville -
US Cyclocross Nationals: Katherine Sarkisov crashes at finish line with Cassidy Hickey to win chaotic U23 women's race
Two-up sprint leads to crash and relegation for Hickey, with mountain bike specialist Makena Kellerman taking silver -
'We want to challenge Van Aert and Van der Poel' - Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe look to win all year round with bolstered one-day squad
Team managers lay out ambitious plans for 2025 - 'We feel like we can be competitive in all Grand Tours, plus the one-day races' -
‘The timer is now at zero’ - Pello Bilbao targets Giro d’Italia as Bahrain Victorious look to put ‘disappointing’ 2024 season behind them
Basque rider undecided on Tour de France plans, hopes to overcome setbacks of 2024 season
