Tour de France 2018 Favourites stage 7: Fast men in longest race

The Tour de France serves another chance for the fast men in its 7th stage. Yet, the race is far from a quick snack - this is the longest stage of this edition. The finale features an uphill kick, so timing will be quintessential. (Slideshow route/profile)

The 7th stage is a long ride on undulating terrain with only one 4th category KOM. The finale is tailor made for a bunch sprint, yet not a straightforward one. The road drops with 1.6 kilometres to go, only to go up at 4% after 300 metres on the flat. The uphill kick is 500 metres long before the last 200 metres to the line are flat. So timing and positioning are extremely important.

The 1st stage and 4th stage of this year’s Tour de France were won by Fernando Gaviria ahead of Peter Sagan. Marcel kittel and Andre Greipel finished in third respectively. Gaviria is backed-up by the best lead-out team, Quick-Step, so chances are he will add another victory.

The second sprint was played out in a crash-marked finale. Gaviria was taken down before Sagan outgunned Sonny Colbrelli and Arnaud Démare on the line.

Favourites 7th stage 2018 Tour de France

*** Fernando Gaviria, Peter Sagan, Arnaud Démare
** Marcel Kittel, Dylan Groenewegen, Sonny Colbrelli, Magnus Cort
* John Degenkolb, Mark Cavendish, Alexander Kristoff, André Greipel