Following a very demanding stage 7 to Le Creusot contested at 45.5km/h on a hilly terrain in the second half, the first mountain stage of the Tour de France will give an indication on whose legs will pay the price first. Only two stages are located in the Alps this year but it promises another great show, starting from the final 50km to Le Grand Bornand with three category 1 climbs: Mont Saxonnex, col de Romme and col de la Colombière. Mathieu van der Poel fears that it is too hard for him but he already expected to lose his yellow jersey in the time trial. Julian Alaphilippe returns where he claimed his first Tour de France stage victory in 2018. This time around, he’s not hunting for the polka dot jersey anymore but possibly for the overall triumph…
