Tour de France 2020 – Stage 7 Preview

Impressive win by Lutsenko, with one of our breakaway picks Herrada unfortunately finishing second. Back in the bunch INEOS set a moderate pace across the climbs. Are they taking initiative, or are they trying to hide some form issues?

Stage 7 contains quite some more climbing than you’re average flat stage, but a rather downhill going second part of the route. Will it be one for the sprinters, or will a break manage to stay away?

Let’s take a look at the route!

The Route:

Stage 7 takes us from Millau to Lavaur. In the first half of the stage, the rider’s won’t find a single km of flat terrain, with the Col Peyroynnenc (14.5km @ 3.9%) as the biggest obstacles. With the relatively low gradients the sprinters will be able to hold their own on these type of climbs.

Most of the sprinter’s should all be able to survive today’s stage, so what does the finish of tomorrow’s stage look like?.

A roundabout at 1.2 km to go after which the road to the line is quite clear.

The Weather:

It will be a nice and warm day in the pyrynees, with a headwind in the final kilometer!

The Race:

This is the last opportunity for the sprinters in the first week, so we can’t see past them controlling the race and setting things up for a bunch sprint.

The Favorites:

Sam Bennett
Will like the headwind and the type of finish. Was stuck on Sagan’s wheel in stage 5, will he finally time his sprint right this time and take his stage win?

Caleb Ewan
Wasn’t positioned for the sprint on stage 5, but showed that in terms of top speed he is a level above the rest earlier this week.

Giacomo Nizzolo
Lacks the kick to beat Bennett/Ewan in such a type of stage.

Cees Bol
Impressive ride by his leadout train in stage 5, finishing 2nd to an unleased Wout van Aert. Will like the tailwind tomorrow!

Kristoff/Pedersen
Outsiders. With Pedersen as a potential podium.

Wout van Aert
Jumbo Duty

The Winner:

Quickstep to provide a perfect lead-out and Sam Bennet‘s to take a stage win!