Stage 10: Île d’Oléron to Saint-Martin-de-Ré
The flat route makes Tour de France history by linking two off-shore islands for the first time. The winding and windswept route will suit the sprinters.
Start: 7:45 am EST
Est. Finish: 11:29 am EST
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Stage 10 preview
Course: The spectacle of the Tour de France is on full display today as the race embarks on a first-ever occurrence. The route starts and finishes on two different islands, both of which are linked to the French mainland by narrow causeways. From a sporting perspective, the day is one for the heavy sprinters; however, the gusting crosswinds along France’s west coast could wreak havoc in the field.
Favorites: Peter Sagan, André Greipel, Elia Viviani, Sam Bennett
Jens Voigt’s take: This is probably the most scenic stage of the Tour. The stage starts on one island and finishes on another island. How cool is that? Passing some old cities and fortresses will be great for the television cameras. This is not a cool stage for the peloton, as there are lots of open roads along the coastline, which are exposed to the wind. Plus, finishing on an island means the peloton will have to cross a bridge to get there. Drama in the crosswinds is guaranteed. Today is absolutely worth watching, and the sprinter with the smartest team will win. Advantage: Team Deceuninck-Quick Step.