What you should know about the Tour’s fourth stage, which takes riders from Saumur to Limoges on 5 July. - By Whit Yost
Image courtesy of ASO
At 237.5km, Stage 4 is the longest of the 2016 Tour de France, and it’s jammed between stages of 223.5km and 216km. That’s a lot of distance crammed into three stages, so don’t be surprised if the pack takes another “piano” approach to the day. The stage begins flat, but climbs gradually as it nears the Massif Central. The day’s only categorised climb comes 55.5km from the finish. The final 500 metres of the stage kick upwards, making the stage another perfect opportunity for Tinkoff’s Peter Sagan. BMC’s Greg Van Avermaet and Orica-Bike Exchange’s Michael Matthews bear watching as well.
Why It Matters
If Sagan is to have any chance of defending his yellow jersey on Stage 5’s tough trip through the Massif Centrale, he needs to add every second he can to his lead. A win today would increase his advantage by 10 seconds. Those seconds could prove crucial Wednesday.
When to Tune In
Stage 4 is another good day for a late tune-in. Whether you want to go for a ride, or have a nap, wait until the final 15 to 20 minutes of the stage to start watching. With an expected finish of 18:00, check in at about 17:00 and then plan accordingly. If the riders do indeed take it easy, you might have a bit of wait. But trust us: The final uphill sprint in Limoges will be worth watching.
via Bicycling » Tour de France http://ift.tt/29lweRg
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