Stage 7: Millau to Lavaur
The route’s hilly first half is guaranteed to entice top breakaway riders to roll the dice on a stage win today. But the final 40 kilometers of winding flat roads favor the sprint teams to set up the kick in Lavaur.
Start: 7:30 am EST
Est. Finish: 11:30 am EST
Stage 7 preview
Course: Don’t let the hilly and flat terrain fool you; Stage 7 presents a challenge to the sprint teams, which will no doubt work hard for a bunch sprint in Lavaur. This stage twists and turns its way across the Massif Central, where gusting winds and punchy hills will batter the chasing peloton. We’re confident that the sprint teams can pull back the breakaway before the finish. But it could be close.
Favorites: Peter Sagan, Caleb Ewan, Giacomo Nizzolo, Sam Bennett
Jens Voigt’s take: Keep an eye out for the wind once the peloton reaches more open terrain out of the Massif Central. It could end up being absolutely nerve-wracking, because everyone expects crosswind sections. It’s a simple equation: 150 riders want to stay in the top-20, and not everybody can. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to see the drama coming, eh!