A little respite for the peloton, with a so-called “transition” stage between Le Bourg-d’Oisans (Isère) and Saint-Etienne (Loire), Friday July 15. After two explanations of text in the mountains, marked by five ascents out of category, this 13th act of 192.6 kilometers should be softer and allow to cleanse the organisms. However, its profile, with three difficulties and a hilly course from start to finish, prevents it from being considered a quiet rendezvous.
What is the stage profile?
Far from the Alpine peaks, this stage will somewhat rest the thighs of the runners, before switching little by little towards the Pyrenees. But the route remains uneven, with three difficulties listed in the mountain classification. After a descent to Vizille, the Côte de Brié (3rd category) gets the ball rolling. Very short (2.4 km), it still offers average slopes of 6.9%. Thirty flat kilometers at the exit of Grenoble follow, before the Col de la Parménie (5.1 km at 6.6%, 2nd category).
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Then the peloton will navigate among false flats. About forty kilometers from the finish, the coast of Saint-Romain-en-Gal, 3rd category (6.6 km at 4.5% average), constitutes the ultimate difficulty of the day. As on the whole of France, a scorching sun should blaze between Isère and Forez, with an average of 35 degrees expected.
Which runners can shine?
Even if the alpine summits will be behind them, the pure sprinters will still eat their black bread. This stage should rather devote a runner to the profile of an adventurer. Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), or even the indestructible Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF Education-Easy Post), could shine.
The leaders will certainly leave them in control, as the last two alpine stages have exhausted their bodies. For Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) or Romain Bardet (Team DSM), it is a question of sparing efforts before the Pyrenees.
What are the schedules ?
12:55 p.m.: start of the broadcast on France 3 and france.tv
1:05 p.m.: fictitious start
1:20 p.m.: real start
5:25 p.m.: expected arrival in Saint-Etienne