MILLAR SAYS

La Planche des Belles Filles is a relatively new summit finish but it always serves up a thrilling spectacle. This year ought to be no different even if the route before it is less difficult. That just means the final ascent will be even more brutal. It won’t be decisive in who wins the Tour but it could be fatal for anyone who doesn’t make the adaptation from big to small ring and is the first rendezvous for the GC pretenders. The explosive riders will be looking forward to the 20 per cent ramp to the line and the others will be hanging on.