The first important stage race of the year (and its random weather conditions) shall start on Sunday the 8th in France, one day before Tirreno-Adriatico.
This year, the course completely avoids the Massif Central, but pays a brief visit into Morvan.
Despite the avoidance of the Massif Central, looking at profiles, there seems to be only 1 stage guaranteed for pure sprinters (the 2nd). The first one may smile upon sprinters-punchers, but even the stage going down the Rhône valley ends with climbs for punchers or punchers-climbers.
We may keep an eye on (among others):
- Vingegaard🇩🇰 from Visma, for his first race since his withdrawal from the European Championship last year;
Almeida🇵🇹 from UAE, a little bit sluggish so far;- Ayuso🇪🇸
& Skjelmose🇩🇰from Lidl-Trek; - Onley🇬🇧 & Vauquelin🇫🇷 from Ineos;
- Gaudu🇫🇷 & Costiou🇫🇷 from FDJ, if you are French and masochist, or if they raise the level they showed lately;
- L. Martinez🇫🇷 from Barhein.
Stages profiles
stage 1 (Sunday the 8th): 
stage 2: 
stage 3 (Team Time Trial): 
stage 4: 
stage 5: 
stage 6: 
stage 7: 
stage 8 (Sunday the 15th): 
It was Affini with Vingegaard. I noticed during the race, with everyone crashing and the rain and the slick roads and the cold, Vingegaard managed to smile a little smile at the camera a couple of times. I think he felt he had a good day despite the conditions and he’s clearly the strongest. I would have wanted to see Ayuso contest his win, but if you don’t stay on the bike you don’t win races…
Right!
Indeed, he avoided crashes by staying at the front of the group despite being (almost) isolated. At least, that’s what happened for the Ayuso🇪🇸 crash. By the way, Lidl-Trek is really having a ‘wonderful’ start of the year! Jesus…