Tour de France 2016 Favourites stage 7: Dan Martin’s day near Lac de Payolle
Stage 7 in the Tour de France is effectively a race in two stages. After a undulating opening of the race, the last 60 kilometres are firmly uphill. We can assume the GC guys are going to show themselves for the first time today. (Slideshow route/profile)
Good descenders are favoured in stage 7 of the Tour de France. Following the climbs up Côte de Capvern (7.1 kilometres at 3.1%) and Col d’Aspin (12 kilometres at 6.5%) a descent leads to a short closing climb to the finish line near Lac du Payolle. So Froome should be alert. He is not the best descender in the world and normally we could expect Contador to put pressure on him in the drop, yet El Pistolero is injured and will be happy to survive. But don’t be surprised to see strong descenders like Valverde and Nibali go on the attack with their leaders Quintana and Aru in tow. Maybe a latin combination will take shape. That said, in last year’s Tour de France Froome stood his ground in the descents, sometimes even taking the initiative.
The last climb is not steep (4.2%), so the difference has to be made in the drop of the Aspin. And, if not, the race is likely to boil down to a sprint with a select group. Or talented young GC guys will get the chance to launch a late atack without repercussions of the big guys, which is something that should fancy Yates and Kelderman.
And let’s not forget about Daniel Martin either. In the Volta a Catalunya he powered to victory in a mountain stage with a likewise profile.
An early break to bear fruit seems highly unlikely, yet you’ll never know. Guys like Tom Dumoulin and Rui Costa already lost time, so thay may be up for some break away action.
Favourites 7th stage Tour de France 2016:
*** Alejandro Valverde, Daniel Martin, Fabio Aru
** Vincenzo Nibali, Rui Costa, Wilco Kelderman, Adam Yates, Julian Alaphilippe
* Tony Gallopin, Tom Dumoulin, Bert-Jan Lindeman, Serge Pauwels, Alexis Gougeard
Tour de France 2016 stage 7: Route maps, height profiles, etc.
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Riders - Tour de France 2016 Favourites - Tour de France 2016 GC Favourites - Tour de France 2016 More articles Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 1: Château d’Oex – Fribourg
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 2: Fribourg – Les Marécottes
Tour de Romandie 2024: Riders
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 3: Oron ITT
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 4: Saillon - Leysin
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 5: Vernier - Vernier
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 1: Hilly race for pink
Giro 2024 Route stage 2: San Fransesco al Campo - Oropa
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 2: The King of Oropa
Giro 2024 Route stage 3: Novara - Fossano
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 3: For fast finishers #1
Giro 2024 Route stage 4: Acqui Terme - Andora
Giro 2024 Route stage 5: Genoa - Lucca
Giro 2024 Route stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme
Giro 2024 Route stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo
Giro 2024 Route stage 15: Manerba del Garda - Livigno
Giro 2024 Route stage 16: Livigno - Monte Pana
Giro 2024 Route stage 17: Selva di Val Gardena – Passo Brocon
Giro 2024 Route stage 19: Mortegliano - Sappada
Giro 2024 Route stage 20: Alpago – Bassano del Grappa
Cycling Calendar 2024
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2024: Brown wins six-up sprint
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!