Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FINAL CLIMB IS TORTURE FOR THOMAS
GERAINT THOMAS has been warned there will be “nowhere to hide” in his moment of truth on the Tour de France today.
If Britain’s defending champion is as undercooked as sushi, rival boss Matt White says the unforgiving slopes of La Planche des Belles Filles will betray the lack of racing miles in the Welsh wizard’s legs this year.
Mitchelton-scott sporting director White, whose British rider Adam Yates (below) should be a contender when Le Tour separates the serious climbers from the pack, expects splits on the brutal final climb, which has been extended by almost a mile from previous races.
And if Team Ineos leader Thomas hasn’t yet reached full throttle, 4.4 miles at 7.8 per cent gradient to the finish will be steeper than Britain’s ludicrous rail fares.
White warned: “I think it will split on the final climb to the line – not massive splits for the big guys, but you’re certainly shaking the applecart.
“So, if you’re on a bad day, or you’re trying to build into the Tour, you’ll be found out. Geraint’s in good form, but we’ll find out for sure – because there’s nowhere to hide. There’s nearly 4,000m of climbing in 160km, it’s massive.”
Thomas insists he is ready for the 100-mile slog, from Mulhouse to La Planche, punctuated by seven categorised climbs – but admits the finale could suit his team-mate, Egan Bernal. He said: “It’s hard – that sort of climb favours the punchy, pure climbers – Egan for one, and Yatesy or Richie Porte and Nairo Quintana in other teams.”
On the 109-mile leg from Saint-diedes-vosges to Colmar, Bernal and Thomas rolled home safely in the pack, as Peter Sagan won his 12th Tour de France career stage, and Julian Alaphilippe stayed in the Yellow Jersey.