Tour of Britain 2014 – Stage 6 Preview

By David Hunter

Stage 6 Bath – Hemel Hempsted 205.6km

A long day in the saddle.

The riders face a demanding, hilly end to the stage.3 categorised climbs, in the final 40km, will make this stage hard for all riders.

Chinnor Hill is 2km at 5.5%, but the opening 1.6km is at 8%. It’s steep and hard.

Kop Hill is 1.75km at 8%.

Nashleigh is 700m at 7%.

The final climb is uncategorised but difficult, Potten End Hill is 1km at 5.3%, with a maximum of 11.1%. It crests with 3km to go and it’s all downhill from there. Again, this stage suits a late attacker, with good descending skills.

We have a few in this race: Kwiatkowski, Bauer, Roche and Chavanel.

The problem for these riders is, this stage will be hard to control. The break has to be controlled and not allowed a big advantage. Who will want to work all day?

OPQS have what they wanted, a stage win and the GC. Garmin worked hard today, with no reward. Movistar don’t have a sprinter, so what’s the point of working! IAM might do, but they won today, so there’s no pressure.

Sky have been a massive disappointment, in their home race. Can they step up and deliver for their fans?

Prediction time…

Time for Jack Bauer to have a winning attack.

David Hunter

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