Tour de France 2015 Favourites stage 13 - Wanted: sprinter/puncheur/descender

The stage leading from Muret to Rodez is on the kind of terrain riders such as Peter Sagan, Michal Kwiatkowski and Michael Matthews have a soft spot for. But you’ll probably find the softest spot on Alejandro Valverde… (Slideshow route/profile)

No mountains in stage 13, but a series of climbs in the second part, and a brutal finale – a drop of 10 kilometres and then a 570 meters closing section at 9.6%. Definitely an arrival to savour. Men like Peter Sagan, Alejandro Valverde, Michal Kwiatkowski and John Degenkolb and will agree. And what is power sprinter Alexander Kristoff capable of? It will be difficult, but the Norwegian is in top form this whole season.

Normally the stage would have suited Michael Matthews just fine, but since he is injured since stage 3 the task at hand could be too tough.

The likes of Tony Gallopin, Greg Van Avermaet, Alexis Vuillermoz, and Zdenek Stybar are other riders to be reckoned with. Vuillermoz soloed to victory in stage 8 with a top finish at the Mur de Bretagne.

*** Alejandro Valverde, Peter Sagan, Michal Kwiatkowski
** John Degenkolb, Greg Van Avermaet, Zdenek Stybar, Alexis Vuillermoz
* Michael Matthews, Alexander Kristoff, Tony Gallopin