UAE Team Emirates' stage-by-stage guide to the second week of Tour de France 2018

David Cooper - Writer 17:07 16/07/2018
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  • UAE Team Emirates‘ Vegard Stake Laengen analyses the stages that will the peloton will tackle during the second week of the Tour de France.

    Stage 10 (Annecy – Le Grand-Bornand)

    The first mountain stage of the tour – there is a lot of climbing, but I think someone like Dan Martin could relish that. The last climb, Colombiere, I have done before and it is a really hard one. The final downhill stretch is very technical with lots of twists and turns. The whole day is so hard and I expect there to be no big groups when they start the last climb.

    Stage 11 (Albertville – La Rosière)

    This is quite a short race, but we could see attacks on the opening climb. Normally when the stage is so short like this, it’s difficult for the breakaway to keep the distance because everyone is going out full gas. It will be an important battleground for the GC guys, but I know that there will be sprinters who will look at this stage and hate it. For them it will be about surviving!

    Stage 12 (Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arc – Alpe d’Huez)

    The Alpe d’Huez is one of the most famous climbs in the Tour de France – but a super hard climb! The stage in general is hard to reserve any energy, with just 20km before the first climb starts. When I look at a stage like this, it could be a good one for the breakaway.

    Stage 13 (Bourg d’Oisans – Valence)

    We have had a few days in the mountains by this point, so this one is certainly for the sprinters. The teams will group and work together to try and ensure a sprint finish and get the victory. The breakaway might have some opportunities to go, but I can’t look past the sprinters, especially Alexander Kristoff who I think will be so keen to fight for the stage win.

    Stage 14 (Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Mende)

    This route could be a perfect opportunity for the breakaway. If Darwin Atapuma goes with the main group, and can stay with them, we could see a repeat performance of his impressive attempt at victory in last year’s Stage 18.

    Stage 15 (Millau – Carcassonne)

    It is going to be a tough day at the saddle. The route is up and down, until you come to the finish, where the quicker riders on the downhill could make a break for it. But I know there is a sharp turn going into the final kilometre which could make the race interesting should there be a small group sprinting for the win. Riders will go all out knowing they have a rest day tomorrow.

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