5 phases stay at this level. Mountain, flat, hilly, mountain, and flat to Paris.
Groups hoping to have a Prime 3 total, or perhaps a Prime Ten total, are eyeballing these 2 mountain phases. We now have had a two-man race for podium all throughout France. On these current mountain phases, not solely has Pogacar challenged Vingagaard, Pog has regarded stronger – using out of his seat much less, and having a better cadence on the ultimate climb.
At this level, issues look to be moving into Pogacar’s path.
S. Yates, in eighth place, is 5 minutes out from third. Anybody from this place, on up, may combat for third place total. A Yates and Kuss largely have domestique roles to play, so that they might not be combating for total high three spots, and even total high 10.
Inexperienced/”Factors”/sprinter, and Polka-Dot/Climber contests are up within the air. So much will occur in these competitions on this closing week.
This Stage 17 has 10 miles of flat, then an honest climb, and has sprinter factors on the backside – this might be a very contested downhill. These going for inexperienced will then kind fairly a Lantern Rouge group as the subsequent climb faces them instantly…
Cormet de Roselend, 12 miles at 6%. That is adopted by a extra modest climb, then the ultimate climb of the day, Courchevel, 17 miles at 6%. Then, that 3.5 miles downhill to the end. Not a lot alternative for issues to return again collectively.
Apart from the notable decline, the descent and end will not be too outstanding, apart from a 270-degree head-turner within the closing mile.
