By David Hunter Digne les Bains – Pra The cat Loup 161km The sprinters have had their last chance, it’s now time for the GC riders to come out to play. This stage, is an exact copy of stage 17, of the TDF. Riding this, gives an advantage to Froome and Nibali, over Contador and Quintana….

By David Hunter Anneyron – Sisteron 228km The longest stage in the race, in fact, the only stage over 200km. A long and mostly boring day in the saddle. The boredom is punctuated by 3 classified climbs and a long, unclassified bump.

By David Hunter Roanne – Montagny 24.5km I’ll start with a weather update. There is a good chance of rain and thunderstorms, between 11am and 1pm. The wind is coming from the North, so will be a crosswind for most of the stage. It slightly strengthens throughout the day, so favours the earlier starters. Given the…

By David Hunter Le Bourget du Lac – Villars les Dombes 173km The stage opens with an immediate climb, not something the peloton usually likes. The Col du Chat is 2.8km at 6.8% and means that you need to be a solid climber, to enter the morning break. With a cat 2 and cat 1 climb…

By David Hunter Ugine – Albertville 131.5km The race begins with a demanding day in the saddle. The stage is short but the lap circuit, in Albertville, will ensure plenty of attacking.