"On paper, this stage looks quite challenging," head sports director at Mitchelton-Scott, Matt White, tells Cyclingnews. "There are over 3,300 metres of climbing, and when you consider that this is the first heavy effort of the season for many of the riders, it could be enough to cause some damage within the peloton.
"The finishing circuit is going to be decisive, and overall this is going to be a solid day of racing and one that should separate the men from the boys," he continues. "What will be interesting to see is who controls the race, because a sprinter should still be in the leader's jersey, but is he willing to commit to keep the jersey on such difficult terrain? The answer depends on who it is and which team they are, because you don't want to burn off your team if your plan is to then concentrate on the sprint. This could open up the race for some potential GC action in the final."
-
Rider protest 'very fair and correct' but could have been 'done better', says Il Lombardia boss Luca Guercilena
Organiser supportive of riders' protest, say 'our goal is to improve the safety of cycling' -
'It's the last day of racing so you just give it your all' - Per Strand Hagenes closes out the year with solo win in Paris-Tours
Jasper Stuyven, Christophe Laporte round out podium -
HG Cross: Michael Vanthourenhout scores solo victory in Dendermonde as Pauwels Sauzen go 1-2
Yordi Corsus second for Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw, Joran Wyseure third -
'Until the last kilometre I did the perfect race' – Florian Vermeersch misses defence but keeps his Gravel World Championships podium record intact in Nannup
'I was actually pretty confident I could do a good sprint' says defending champion after coming second to Magnus Bak Klaris in a four-way charge to the line
