In the heart of the first week of Francia Tourthe career enters a land loaded with symbolism, history and cycling traps. The fourth stage, with 174.2 kilometers between Amiens and Raánit is much more than a transition: it is an ambush disguised as classic, a battlefield that Link the epic of Juana de Arco with the legacy of Jacques Anquetil and the resistance of Jean Robic. The tour continues to spin fine.
From the output at Amiens, Ciudad where the legendary maiden of Orleans battled, to the heart of Raán – where it was executed – the stage crosses a geography that invites the story. But far from the narrative, which will truly mark the day will be its last 40 kilometers: a succession of dimensions that twist the profile until it becomes a real Russian mountain.
The Danish visma cyclist will be the great rival of Tadej Pogacar for the Tour de France.
The first one hundred kilometers run through an open land where the wind could make an appearance, as already happened in previous days. But everything will change when you reach the region of the Senawhere the route is complicated and the shocks are guaranteed. The Cota Jacques Anquetil (4th), the climb to Belbeuf (3a) and the double trap of Bonscours and Grand'Mare will open the vedabut it will be the brutal ramp of Saint-Hilaire that could decide the outcome: 800 meters to 10.6 % on average, with sections that touch 15 %. All just five kilometers from the finish line.
Remco Evenepoel, Durante Este Tour.
Such an end invites you to think about hunting as Van Aert, Van der Poel, Alaphilippe O Skjelmose, but also in favorites who want to mark territory before the counterreloj de Caen. “It is an ending that reminds the classics of the North. No one can hide,” They comment from some teams.
The Rampón where Sagan won in 2012 caused a change of leader among colleagues from Alpecin.
In addition, it is not ruled out that the leak is successful. The terrain, the prior tension to the individual effort of Wednesday and the potential disinterest of the sprinter teams play in favor of the brave ones who try it from afar. In this scenario, Tadej Pogacar wants to find his 100 victory dressed in the rainbow.
An end with history
As added, the story is also present: Raán is the city where he lived his last days Anquetil, the first pentacampeón of the tour, already the outskirts is a monument to Jean Robic, the small Breton climber that won the tour in 1947. Cycling has always been a story, and this Tuesday will be another chapter of legend.
