Last departure from Nice at the Allianz Riviera this Sunday, heading towards Sisteron in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence for a 198-kilometer stage. The riders will tackle the slopes of Pra-Loup where Bernard Thevenet tamed Eddy Merckx before claiming the first victory of his two Tours in 1975.
Four climbs of 3rd and 4th category to tackle on this route: Col du Pilon (3rd cat.), Col de la Faye (3rd cat.), Col des Lèques (3rd cat.), and Col de l’Orme (4th cat.), located 40 kilometers from the finish. This stage should not trap either the best sprinters in the peloton or the new yellow jersey Julian Alaphilippe, winner of the 2nd stage the day before. Irishman Sam Bennett and Australian Caleb Ewan are among the favorites and will be eager to redeem themselves after Alexander Kristoff’s victory on Saturday during the first stage.
Today’s favorites:
* Sam Bennett (IRL/Deceuninck-Quick Step); Caleb Ewan (AUS/Lotto-Soudal)
Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/NTT Pro Cycling); Peter Sagan (SVQ/Bora-Hansgrohe); Alexander Kristoff (NOR/UAE-Emirates).
* Elia Viviani (ITA/Cofidis); Cees Bol (PBS/Sunweb); Bryan Coquard (FRA/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept).
General Classification:
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Deceuninck-Quick Step) in 8h 41’35”
2. Adam Yates (GBR/Mitchelton-Scott) at 4″
3. Marc Hirschi (SUI/Sunweb) at 7″
4. Sergio Higuita (COL/EF Pro Cycling) at 17″
5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE-Emirates) s.t.
6. Esteban Chaves (COL/Mitchelton-Scott) s.t.
7. Davide Formolo (ITA/UAE-Emirates) s.t.
8. Egan Bernal (COL/Ineos-Grenadier) s.t.
9. Richard Carapaz (EQU/Ineos-Grenadier) s.t.
10. Tom Dumoulin (PBS/Jumbo-Visma) s.t.
Additional Classifications:
Green jersey: Alexander Kristoff (NOR/UAE-Emirates) 64 points
Polka dot jersey: Benoît Cosnefroy (FRA/AG2R-La Mondiale) 18 points
White jersey: Marc Hirschi (SUI/Sunweb)
