Tour de France 2023 – Stage 15
Jumbo-Visma showed their cards and tried to set it up. They were both evenly matched today. With the restday on Monday, I think we will see another big fight tomorrow.
Route
A flatish start with a 9 km climb at 4.3% after 30 km of racing. Then the terrain do become hilly and mountainous until the line.
Col de la Croix Fry and Col des Aravis.
11km at 7% and 4km at 6%. After a tough second week, especially the last two stages, this will feel a lot header.
Côte des Amerands and Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
Two difficult climbs in their own way.
The first is short and steep. The first 2000m are 10.9%.
After a plateau of 1200m with a short descend, Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc is longer and not too regular.
Weather
Good weather.
How will the stage unfold?
So, we’ve seen UAE trying to set up Pogacar which they could not and we’ve seen JV succesfully set up Vingegaard. What I mean is the aspect of controlling the stage and setting their riders up, not the result in particular.
It has been a tough week. I do not think JV will set up Jonas tomorrow, the finale does not suit him – it’s time to give away some bonus seconds. They are so evenly matched the two of them, we will see the go head to head again tomorrow with little to no difference between them.
Therefore, it is time for the breakaway.
Contenders
Woods – one of the better looking climbers still. He has the ability to go back to back. The Côte des Amerends suits him, he will hope to make his move there.
Ciccone – he is getting closer and closer to the KOM jersey, something that is a big goal of his. He looked like one of the strongest in the breakaway yesterday, and he has proved in the past that he can go back to back when it comes to performing in the breakaway.
Pinot – the same goes for Pinot. Despite him racing the Giro d’Italia, he is looking fresh.
Haig – i’ll keep mentioning him, he should have a free role.
Pidcock – it was a good run, is it now time to go for the stage win as a plan B?
Kwiatkowski – INEOS 2nd option. He is looking better than I’ve seen him in a long time. It seems he is peaking just at the right time.
O’Connor – he was likely one of the riders being able to save some energy yesterday which should come in handy today.
Skjelmose – what does he have left in the tank?
Vingegaard – will likely finish second if UAE learn how to control the break formation.
Pogacar – will likely win if the team figure out how to control the break formation.
Stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pidcock
⭐⭐⭐ Woods, Ciccone,
⭐⭐ Pinot, Kwiatkowski, O’Connor
⭐ Skjelmose, Vingegaard, Pogacar, Haig
Who will win?
INEOS would want to win the team classification as well as having Rodriguez on the podium and that means sending riders up the road. I will take a win for Pidcock.
