Another one.
Unusually, it will be a flat stage when the Tour finishes in Pau.
It’s easy to criticize the Tour for seemingly too many flat stages, but in reality the history of the Tour shows it’s been this way.
There are a few sharp bends near the finish line today but stage 11’s finale isn’t as technical as yesterday’s. The day is expected to be raced under dry, sunny skies once again.
You’d think the breakaway will have more of a chance here. Surely teams will stop helping Quick-Step chase? Lotto-Soudal and Katusha were riding at the front all day yesterday and it amounted to next to nothing once more. I don’t think they teams should help Quick-Step because it’s just going to result in another victory for Marcel Kittel. Kittel has a strangle-hold on the Green Jersey competition and will look to extend his advantage here before Michael Matthews will claw back some points in the Alps.
John Degenkolb’s recovery seems to be going well as he did a great sprint to finish 2nd in Bergerac. Greipel and Kristoff just don’t seem to have it, perhaps age catching up to both of them; I’d probably fancy Groenewegen to surprise Kittel if someone’s going to do it.
That being said, this might be a bit of a surprise but I envision a breakaway victor in Pau. I see other sprint teams putting riders in the break to make it harder for Quick-Step. If it is to succeed, it will definitely need to be a strong break consisting of a few more than 2 riders we saw yesterday.
Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part of something funky happening. If it’s a bunch sprint Kittel will most likely stroll to another one but could be tired after a big effort the previous day.
ESPN Streak: Any Other Cyclist
Stage 11 bets
Guillaume Van Keirsbulk stage winner +12500
Vegard Stake Laengen stage winner+25000
Cycling 