After two tough days to start the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, stage 3 sees the peloton take on a stage for the sprinters.
The 147km route will see the riders head on a northern loop around Brive-le-Gaillarde, tackling five categorised climbs on the way to the finish. The toughest of the lot is the third-category Côte du Peyroux (4.8km at 4%) within the first 30km, while the next four fourth-category hills shouldn't pose a big challenge for the fast finishers of the peloton.
The Côte du Pératel (2km at 5.3%), Côte de l'Escurotte (2.6km at 4.7%), Côte de Andrieux (2.6km at 4.1%) and Côte de Saint-Robert (1.1km at 6.2%) follow over the opening 93km of the stage, with no categorised climbs coming inside the final 50km of racing.
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At 26km from the line, the intermediate sprint in Badefols-d'Ans could provide some action if the breakaway is caught early after hoovering up the stage's QOM points. Otherwise, it'll be full gas to the finish line and the first expected bunch sprint of the race.
With Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) comfortable at 49 seconds up in the leader's jersey after her stage 1 solo victory, there shouldn't be any major change in the overall rankings on stage 3 on the flat final 10km to the finish.
Instead, look towards the sprinters of the peloton to take their chance for the first time in the race. Kopecky's teammate Lorena Wiebes, second on the opening day, will be looking to add to her two stage wins last summer.
The Dutchwoman will face stern competition from her two compatriots – Charlotte Kool (dsm-firmenich) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma). The former is seeking her first Tour de France Femmes career win, while Vos is set to launch her bid for a second green points jersey.
Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ), Rachele Barbieri (Liv Racing-Xstra), and Julie De Wilde (Fenix-Deceunick) are among the other names in with a shout at glory in Montignac-Lascaux.
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