La Grande Boucle’s 10th stage travels over the de Col de la Croix Fry (11.3 kilometer at 7%), Montée du Plateau des Gières (6 kilometres at 11.2% and partly unpaved), Col de Romme (8.8 kilometres at 8.9%), and Col de la Colombière (7.5 kilometres at 8.5%) to conclude with 15 kilometres on descent. Is the breakaway going to hold on until the end, or are we going to see a GC-clash?
In case of a successful breakaway, we should expect the best climbers to battle it out on the Colombière. Obviously, the first rider(s) over the top can capitalize on his/their advantage on the drop down to the line.
Odds are the break will last until the end. So it would be smart to occupy one of the vacant seats in the front group. Plausibly, the break takes shape on the Col de la Croix Fry. Who to expect? Obviously, strong climbers with adventurous minds – the likes of Thomas De Gendt, Robert Gesink, Lilian Calmejane… And obviously Julian Alaphilippe could capitalize on his strong descent when he is part of the breakaway.
If the race comes down to a GC-clash good descenders and fast finishers enjoy an advantage. The name of Alejandro Valverde springs to mind, while Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome surely will want to put pressure on their rivals on descent. Since the descent of the Peyresourde in 2016’s Tour de France the four-time winner is holding a new weapon: downhill. Of course this weapon has been part of the Shark’s combat tactics for ages…
Favourites 10th stage 2018 Tour de France
*** Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde, Primoz Roglic, Julian Alaphilippe
** Thomas De Gendt, Robert Gesink, Lilian Calmejane, Chris Froome
* Romain Bardet, Warren Barguil, Serge Pauwels, David Gaudu, Jakob Fuglsang
Tour de France 2018 stage 10: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Climb details plateau des Glières
Climb details Col de Romme and Colombière
Profile final kilometres
Route final kilometres
Teams hotels 10th stage
Streetview mud road plateau des Glières
All profiles
Instagram @letourdefrance
