MILLAR SAYS

Into the Alps and it’s a monster day of climbing. With 50km and one mountain before the Croix de Fer, an escape will go clear and that will contain guys who can climb. Whether they survive for the stage win depends if the GC race kicks off before the Télégraphe/ Galiber ascent. These are long passes and both get harder the further up you go so any weaknesses are quickly spotted and exploited. There’ll be no comebacks on the downhill to the finish as it’s all big road and usually a headwind.