Stage 6 (Thurs 10th July) a 202km stage from Bayeux to Vire Normandie.
A difficult stage to call the winner – 6 categorised (1 x 4 & 5 x 3) climbs to ascend on the Normandy flatlands!
Theoretically, there are a few that have the ability to win it; however, the TdF isn’t an individual race, it’s a team event. Teams follow orders, protecting & assisting their team leader or specialist (dependant upon stage) in pursuit of the win.
The mighty POG is now in Yellow (& also polka & green) and has a commanding 42 sec lead over EVENEPOEL and he’s 59 seconds in front of third placed VAUQUELIN.
Bayeux born Kévin Vauquelin (age 24) is going to be highly motivated to win his ‘home’ stage and try to reduce his overall deficit to POG.
The Arkea team comprises 5 French and 3 Spanish riders – they (Arkea) are ‘planning’ on winning a stage, is today the day? If they can get a couple or 3 of their riders in a breakaway group then they may just do it.
Vingegaard & Van der Poel aspire to make a similar move in order to try and claw back some of the time they lost in yesterday’s TT.
However, POG and his merry men will have their spotters, blockers and altruistic domestiques on point to ensure he retains yellow and his time advantages.
It has all the ingredients of a great stage!
Now I never knew that…
