Tour de France 2015 Favourites stage 4 - Wanted: King of the cobbles

Stage 4 is a mini-version of Paris Roubaix offering seven cobbled sectors. So that’s party time for the specialists. Cyclingstage.com brings you the major contenders. (Slideshow route/profile)

Last year Lars Boom took the cobbled stage, but as he moved to Astana this winter don’t be surprised he is to chaperone leader Nibali. Then again, in 2014 Boom won the stage for Belkin while two Astana’s were chasing him…

Boom is best on wet cobbles and Paris-Roubaix title-holder John Degenkolb would prefer a dry, sunny day, just like his colleague-sprinter Alexander Kristoff, who is a powerhouse on the medieval rocks also.

Other likely contenders are Sep Vanmarcke, Peter Sagan, Jens Debusschere and Greg Van Avermaet. Geraint Thomas is probably forced to stay near Froome, to shoo away any danger.

Zdenek Stybar is a force to be reckoned with on the cobbles. The former World Cyclo-cross champion was runner-up in this year’s Paris-Roubaix.

*** John Degenkolb, Alexander Kristoff, Zdenek Stybar
** Peter Sagan, Lars Boom, Sep Vanmarcke
* Geraint Thomas, Jens Debusschere, Greg Van Avermaet