All the stage information you need, including why it matters, which riders to watch.
STAGE PREVIEW
Stage 18: Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Thursday, July 23, 186.5km
The Tour’s second Alpine stage doesn’t end with a summit, but that makes it no less daunting. With a whopping seven categorised climbs, it’s certainly not a stage to be taken lightly. The climbing begins immediately with the second-category Col Bayard and never really lets up. The day’s primary difficulty is the 22km Col du Glandon, but the final climb up the Lacets de Montvernier will be the most spectacular. Just 10km from the finish, it’s just 3.4km long but contains 18 switchbacks throughout its steady eight- to nine percent grade.
Why It Matters
You might see something of a cease-fire among the major contenders today. With a summit finish the previous day and two to follow, they may want to save their efforts for when they can do more damage. That could free a rider for a breakaway stage win or a raid for points in the Tour’s King of the Mountains competition. Then again, Nairo Quintana has sworn to attack Chris Froome all the way through the Alps, and Vincenzo Nibali is getting stronger every day. No matter who the protagonists turn out to be, expect some lively racing up front.
Who to Watch
A day like today requires a special combination: a rider with the legs to win on a long, hilly day, but one who is not so high up that he is a threat to the overall. The most likely fit: a contender who suffered the dreaded jour sans earlier in the race and is now far enough down that he’ll be given freedom in a break. Ag2r’s Romain Bardet is a possibility after the Frenchman lost more time during Stage 17. Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez is another candidate, especially with so many King of the Mountains points available. Rodriguez backed off early in Stage 17, perhaps saving his legs to go on the attack in Stage 18. And don’t count out Peter Sagan. Sagan went on the attack again today, but tomorrow’s stage finish might suit the Slovak—if he makes it over the Col du Glandon in contention. And expect the MTN-Qhubeka boys to be in the mix – they are having a cracker of a Tour.
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