The three Tour de France finishes in Nevers (1971, 1986, 2003) all ended in a bunch sprint, and a fourth such finish is expected this Wednesday. The sprinters survived stage 10 – a climbers’ festival in the Cantal; they are rewarded with a stage featuring ‘just’ 1,400 metres of elevation gain on the way to the capital of the Nièvre. Two category 4 climbs will spice up the action at 128.4 (Côte de Billonnière) and then 37.9 kilometres from the finish (Côte de Billy-Chevannes). Attackers will try to make the most of these lumps and their fighting spirit to fight the odds.
An overwhelming winner in the last two mass sprints, Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) is the clear favourite to make it three in a row. Biniam Girmay (NSN) has improved with every finish, coming 6th in Pau, then 3rd in Bordeaux and 2nd in Bergerac; only first place remains elusive. Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) tasted victory in Pau and came close to repeating the feat in Bergerac (3rd), which will be his target in Nevers. Max Kanter (XDS Astana), meanwhile, is yet to claim the top step of the podium to confirm the fine form he has shown since the start, and again on stage 10 in the intermediate sprint at Lacapelle-del-Fraisse (2nd).
The initial favourite for the sprinters’ stages, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech), has finished in the top five three times, but never on the podium. The Belgian has a score to settle and the title of ‘King of Speed’ to reclaim. With 95 points up for grabs for the green jersey, every position will count at the finish in Nevers and at the intermediate sprint in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) has certainly set his sights on it; he is relying on his versatility to hold onto the green jersey despite his sprint being slightly inferior to that of his rivals in the points classification. The points classification will, once again, be one of the day’s key battles. After all, Nevers is a sprinter’s paradise.
