Arguably the greatest long-break rider of his generation, De Gendt finds that the route suits his skills. A victory would bring him his third Tour de France stage win and the first yellow jersey in his career.
Last year, De Gendt soloed to a heroic victory in Saint-Étienne. Attacking from the gun, the Belgian was joined by three other breakaway specialists on the tough route through the Massif Central with approximately 3,750 vertical metres. The opener of the 2020 Tour de France is not that hard, but it certainly is not a typical sprint stage.
The out-and-back race in Nice serves four uphills. Three times the route climbs to Aspremont, which is an ascent of 11.4 kilometres and the gradient hovers around 4%. The last time through Aspremont is followed by a short descent before an 8 kilometres climb at 4% leads to Levens.
Following a descent of 11 kilometres the last 30 kilometres are played out on the flat.
Favourites 1st stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Thomas De Gendt, Alexander Kristoff, Peter Sagan
** Matteo Trentin, Wout Van Aert, Greg Van Avermaet, Caleb Ewan
* Sam Bennett, Giacomo Nizzolo, Michal Kwiatkowski, Philippe Gilbert, Cees Bol
Another interesting read: route of the 1st stage of the Tour de France.
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Tour de France 2021: Riders
Tour of Flanders 2021: Riders
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 1: Brest - Landerneau
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Tour de France 2021 Route stage 2: Perros-Guirec - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 2: Punchers at Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 3: Lorient - Pontivy
Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 3: Fast finishers showdown #1
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 4: Redon - Fougères
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 5: Changé - Laval
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 6: Tours - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 7: Vierzon - Le Creusot
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 8: Oyonnax - Le-Grand-Bornand
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 9: Cluses - Tignes
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 10: Albertville - Valence
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 11: Sorgues - Malaucène
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 12: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Nîmes
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 13: Nîmes - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 14: Carcassonne - Quillan
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 15: Céret - Andorra la Vella
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 16: Pas de la Case - Saint-Gaudens
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 17: Muret - Col du Portet
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 18: Pau - Luz-Ardiden
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 19: Mourenx - Libourne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 20: Libourne - Saint-Emilion
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 21: Chatou - Paris
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Difficult decision for Lotto team. Ewan could be strong if it goes to a bunch sprint. Will see if De Gendt joins the break?