14-07-2021, 00:20
I honestly think Cavendish is using the minimum effort to stay in the race so he can give his all in the sprints to Libourne and/or to Paris. Matthews and Colbrelli are making inroads into his lead, but that'll not bother him.
Similarly, Pogacar's (and Vingegaard's) main focus is the Yellow Jersey, so allowing Gaudu to narrow the gap in the Youths competition.
Tomorrow's stage starts off quite innocuously, until after the intermediate sprint at 113km, then the hurt will begin with 2 Category 1 climbs, culminating in the Category HC Col Du Portet, at an average gradient of 8.6% over 15km, with a 10% climb in the final kilometre. I fully expect some of the GC contenders to fall away spectacularly. It will be the survival of the fittest.
Thurday's stage is much shorter, but equally demanding, meaning for many it will be a battle to stay in the race.
Similarly, Pogacar's (and Vingegaard's) main focus is the Yellow Jersey, so allowing Gaudu to narrow the gap in the Youths competition.
Tomorrow's stage starts off quite innocuously, until after the intermediate sprint at 113km, then the hurt will begin with 2 Category 1 climbs, culminating in the Category HC Col Du Portet, at an average gradient of 8.6% over 15km, with a 10% climb in the final kilometre. I fully expect some of the GC contenders to fall away spectacularly. It will be the survival of the fittest.
Thurday's stage is much shorter, but equally demanding, meaning for many it will be a battle to stay in the race.
Cabbage is still good for you