Tour de France: Stage 4 preview
Stage 4 map, profile and Chris Boardman video preview
Abbeville – Rouen
Distance: 214.5km
Highest point: 150m
Category: Flat
Beware the wind
It’s going to be hard for any one team to control the peloton on this long stage that follows the coast for a good distance and also takes in some lumpy terrain. That said, it’s one of the best opportunities the sprinters have in this year’s race, so they won’t want to pass it up. If the wind gets up off the English Channel the peloton could split, so once again all of the teams with a sprinter or overall contender will want to be near the front in case echelons do form. Breakaway specialists will like the look of this stage as well, which could bring riders such as Jérémy Roy, Rubén Pérez and Anthony Roux into the frame.
André Greipel: "Wind off the sea could cause problems early on and two tight turns to get over Guillaume le Conquérant Bridge with 1km to go could upset the lead-outs. The sprinters will want to stack up the points before the mountains begin."
Maps and profiles courtesy of ASO
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
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?