Hautacam!
It’s D-Day for Tadej Pogacar, unless he takes significant time on Jonas Vingegaard today the tour is essentially over. He will very likely beat Vingegaard in the time trial however it will not be by 2 minutes 19 seconds unless Vingegaard has a technical issue.
The parcours for today are very similar to yesterday but with a little bit more spice added to the climbs. The stage is 143.2km long, of which the first 58km is flat. The last 85km will be the ultimate battleground as we head up the Col d’Aubisque (16.4km@7.1%) down to the valley, up the Col de Spandelles (10.3km@8.3%) back down to the valley and straight up the Hautacam (13.6km@7.8%).
UAE produced an incredible performance yesterday despite only fielding half their team, it is doubtful whether they will be able to back this up today given how deep Brandon McNulty and Mikkel Bjerg had to go yesterday.
Jumbo will also be wise to this as they were very much caught off guard yesterday and had most of their team decimated on a climb by Mikkel Bjerg in an uncharacteristic display of climbing dominance. Jumbo will consolidate and protect their lead without taking any risks. I don’t think we will see any Jumbo riders head up the road today as the look to wrap Jonas in a yellow cocoon for as long as possible.
Summit finish on the legendary Hautacam
Ineos has proven that they do not have what it takes to launch a GC assault and will look to consolidate the third step of the podium with Geraint Thomas.
A successful breakaway seems doubtful today with the prospect of the GC battle that lies ahead. The flat start will not help the cause of those who would look to take stage honours today.
It is the last day for the pure climbers from the smaller teams to get a stage win or for Simon Geschke to avoid the GC riders stealing his Polka Dot Jersey as both Vingegaard and Pogacar are breathing down his neck. In all likelihood he will cede the jersey to one of them today.
Our prediction is the UAE will try everything to win today and in so doing leave the door open for Vingegaard to take more time on Pogacar.
Our Top Picks:
Jonas Vingegaard
Tadej Pogacar
Outside Picks:
Thibaut Pinot
Leonard Kamna
Our Winner:
Jonas Vingegaard
