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A normal stage of the Tour de France begins outrageously. The riders drive behind the car to join the leader Christian Prudhomme in the neutral zone, and have plenty of time to talk and position themselves before the start.
This makes the leg of the day special. It's only 65 kilometers long – the shortest in over 30 years – and can be very dramatic considering the summary. And entertaining for the viewers.
– I think it's great. This creates an extra nerve and it becomes even more complicated. This can be a complete stick from the beginning. What's fun is that we do not know what's going to happen, says Mads Kaggestad, bike expert at TV 2.
– A lot of drama
Also the NRK cyclist commentator, Ole-Kristian Stoltenberg, appreciates the new trend with a few short steps.
– It quickly becomes a passive bike when the scene is long. I think the small steps are fun. It's an exciting twist with a lot of drama and it will soon be chaos. So let's hope that's the positive question of chaos, "says Stoltenberg.
The Tour de France boss, Christian Prudhomme, said he hoped there will be a "dynamite stage" and that the last ascent of the Col de Portet could become a new version of the legendary Tourmalet.
Difficult for tired runners
What's fun for viewers can often be very uncomfortable for runners. Even though the distance today is only 65 kilometers, it does not mean a day of rest for the runners. Maybe on the contrary.
– Pilots do not think it's comfortable at all. The average speed becomes very high. Especially the runners who are struggling in the mountains and who are a bit sick, because they're doing this nightmare, says Mads Kaggestad, bike expert at Adresseavisen.
The intentions of the organizer with the stage are to set a high pace from the start, a pace that, hopefully, will last throughout the short stage. This can mean big problems for tired runners who do not like mountains. They may have trouble coping with the time limit, which becomes very short in the short stages.
– The stomach of yesterday became angry, there were not many who scored on the pitch. It was an extremely difficult Tour de France, so it starts to be a lot of tired runners. It becomes terrible for those who have a bad day, "said Kaggestad.
Kaggestad thinks that time riders like Primoz Roglic and Tom Dumoulin can create problems for Sky pilots.
begins newly
The tip has two elements that make it non-traditional. The first is the length of the scene, but the start distinguishes it from the others. The organizers have been inspired by Formula 1, and runners leave in the order they are in the resume.
Leader Geraint Thomas starts first with teammate Chris Froome just behind him. The first 20 of the match are in the pool one out of two pilgrims, then the remaining riders will return in groups of 20 runners.
All the riders leave at the same time, but those who are the worst in the race are far behind the pack, already at the bottom of the first field.
– The organizer would like to remind you that the strongest team takes control all along. They try to encourage a more aggressive and more active cycling because the captains do not have as many assistants, "says Jarle Fredagsvik, editor and journalist of the procycling.no cycling site.
I do not think the measurement will work
But none of the experts think the measure will be so important for this step.
– I do not think there will be much to say. I think the teams will wait until there are more riders until it happens. But if you look at the full list, there are riders who will be away from their captains when they start. So you could potentially have attacked where you are captains against captains. But I do not see what the top ten have to win by attacking from the start, says Fredagsvik.
Kaggestad also admits that the starting method does not want much to say for the remaining step.
– Captains who need help will be waiting for them. They need that they perform the tempo at the beginning of the first mountain. Even Movistar who has three riders in height will wait for the riders as Soles further back. Especially the Sky Boys will not lead anything, they will bring the drivers who can drive the first mountain. Then there will be more rider against the rider on the other mountain, "says Kaggestad.
Stoltenberg also agrees.
– Of course, it's hard to tell it to the # But it may be that it's only a gadget, I'm surprised if someone gets out without help, "he says.
Rise and descend throughout the day
Today 's stage begins at 3:15 pm in Bagneres – de – Luchon at 3:15 pm. The trail climbs from the first kilometer, and after 13.5 kilometers they reach the top of the first category, the Col de Peyresourde. Then it descends towards Loudenvielle, before the pass of Val Lourdon-Azet reaches the mountain with an increase of 8.3%.
It will be a new circuit before the riders bet on the Col du Portet, 16 kilometers long, with a pass to Saint-Lary-Soulan.
The Skys Team Geraint Thomas is leading the Tour de France with 1 minute and 36 seconds ahead of teammate Chris Froome. Tom Dumoulin follows eleven seconds behind.
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