Today's stage from Dinan to Lisieux takes the riders from Brittany up northwards through Normandy. At 226.5 kilometres its the longest stage in this year's Tour. Although there are no big hills it is lumpy – constantly up and down – and includes two 3rd category climbs and one 4th category. If the racing is hard, it will be a tough stage for anyone suffering from injuries picked up in one of the many crashes yesterday.
There is likely to be a new leader in the polka dot jersey (best climber). Cadel Evans is the current wearer with just two points – just shows how few real hills there have been so far. I expect the new leader will come from the customary breakway of three to five riders, who attack early and hope to stay away to the finish. They rarely do but they get good TV coverage!
The intermediate sprint is at just over halfway ay Vassy. As the race nears Lisieux it will be passing through Calvados country as well as going through Livarot, the home of the eponymous cheese.
The finish is likely to be quite tough with a rise of around 90 metres from kilometres from the finish before flattening – a false flat – for the last K. Philippe Gilbert is again being quoted as a favourite for this. Bernard Hinault in his preview cites Gilbert but also Mark Cavendish and Thor Hushvod as possible winners. I fancy that Cadel Evans might try to get a couple of seconds from Thor and so get the Yellow Jersey. On the other hand he might not want the Jersey, so that he and his team don't have to expend a lot of energy defending it. Energy that will be needed in the mountains!
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