ARRAS ROUBAIX

Distance 156.5km Terrain Hilly

Classed on the official Tour de France website as ‘hilly’, this is actually the flattest stage of the race. It is set largely on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, so will feel like more of an uphill struggle for the race’s climbers, who aren’t accustomed to racing on this terrain.

It’s being held on the same day as the football World Cup final and France is a fair bet to reach it. But fans needn’t worry about having to make a choice, as even a slow stage is scheduled to finish half an hour before kick-off.

Where Paris-Roubaix this year was 258km, this is over 100km shorter, but with almost 22km of cobbles over 15 sectors (including the five-star Mons-en-Pévèle) –

the most in the Tour this century - don’t talk to the GC contenders about a ‘short’ stage. It’ll feel like an age. While some will hate the cobbles’ inclusion, others will embrace the challenge.

As Chris Froome’s 2014 challenge ended on the northern cobbles stage that year (albeit before the cobbles even arrived, from injuries chiefly sustained in a prior crash), Vincenzo Nibali’s superb performance underlined his credentials for what went on to be his maiden Tour win. His ability on all terrains, shown most recently with his MilanSanremo victory this spring, will have him licking his lips as he bids for a second maillot jaune.