Tour de France 2019 Favourites stage 8: Breakaway day

Although the Tour de France's 8th stage doesn't include any huge climbs, a succession of short steep climbs and longer ascents at shallow gradients adds up to an altitude gain of 3,700 metres. GC riders are unlikely to expend valuable resource, while sprinters will be happy to cross the line in one piece. So this is a perfect day for the breakaway. (Slideshow route/profile)

The first 45 kilometres look like a sprint stage and the gentle rolling roads are likely to inspire dozens of riders to infiltrate the early attacks. Then the first climb presents itself with six more to come in the following 140 kilometres. The final one, Côte de la Jaillère, will be crucial in terms of the stage victory.

The Jaillère is 1.9 kilometres at 7.6% with the last 400 metres standing out. This section goes up at 14.5%, so that is a perfect place to strike – if you have the legs. Located just 12 kilometres from the finish, the Jaillère is the launchpad before the riders drop down into Saint-Étienne.

The third kilometre before the line goes up again – at 5% – before the downhill continues to the flamme rouge. The final kilometre is played out on the flat.

Favourites 8th stage 2019 Tour de France

*** Thomas De Gendt, Maximilian Schachmann, Alexey Lutsenko
** Matej Mohoric, Alessandro De Marchi, Greg Van Avermaet, Niki Terpstra
* Rui Costa, Lilian Calmejane, Tim Wellens, Tiesj Benoot, Rohan Dennis

Take a look at the route of the 8th stage on the Tour de France.