The Tour de France has arrived in the Pyrenees. This seventh stage is the shortest so far. There are only two categorized climbs on the route, although it’s definitely not flat in the other parts of the course. In the finale the riders will climb the Col d’Aspin (12 km and 6.5% average gradient). After the summit there are still seven kilometres to go Will the descent be decisive?

Adam Hansen shares his throughts.

“As always it is hard to predict if a breakaway has a chance of making it to the finish or not. With a first category climb at the end the riders in the front group need to have a considerable lead at the bottom of that climb. If they are really far behind on GC, there is a chance that the teams of the GC riders will give them the necessary freedom. It isn’t an ideal stage profile for me. If I am in the break there is a chance that a better climber will drop me on the Aspin, but you never know what will happen.”