Today is the second of four stages in the Alps. With an uphill start the riders can warm up immediately. There are three climbs of the third category, three of the second category and the Col du Glandon (hors catégorie) on today’s route. The flat finish is located ten kilometres after the ascent of the steep Lacets de Montvernier. The last chance for a breakaway? Thomas De Gendt thinks so.

“Tomorrow and the day after there are two summit finishes, where the riders of the top ten will probably battle against each other," he said. "Today the stage is hard as well, but I presume a large group will get away again and that some will stay ahead until the finish. I’ll do what I can to get in the break although I fear there might be stronger riders on the Col du Glandon.”