Stage 12: Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais – 169 km
Date: July 13, 2023
Stage type: Hilly
What to watch for: The sprint points that come after two category 3 climbs will be tantalizing to any of the more-versatile sprinters. Could we see one try to jump in the breakaway, like Peter Sagan used to do?
Stage summary: Deep in one of France’s iconic wine regions, this stage seems primed for another successful breakaway. The two category 3 climbs in the first 40 km will ensure that the break is strong. Of the two back-to-back category 2 climbs in the latter third of the stage, the Col de la Croix Rosier is the more difficult, averaging 7.6% over 5.3 km. Expect it to be the final launch pad for either a solo winner, or a small group that splits off the day’s main breakaway.
Dane Cash’s picks: This will be another tough one to predict. Potential winners include Julian Alaphilippe, Matej Mohorič, Mattias Skjelmose, Giulio Ciccone, Neilson Powless, Matteo Jorgensen, Mike Woods, or Wout van Aert if he can get into the break.
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