Three classic stages will be featuring on the menu of the 67th Tour of Picardy, this coming 10, 11 and 12 May. Germany’s Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) may well have to measure himself against the rising generation of French sprinters, represented by Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and Bryan Coquard (Europcar).

The stage race that has been held in Picardy for over 75 years has all of the essential features with certain sequences that can sometimes prove decisive on the Grand Tours. Long stages without any real climbs are sometimes exposed to the wind and force the riders to ride in bordure formation. They also allow teams of sprinters to fine-tune their reflexes, both in preparing for a chase and for the sequences in the final few kilometres. This is exactly what the Tour of Picardy has to offer, this year with many variations of flat stages, spanning three days. With a small climb to spice up the section at Flixecourt, a gentle curve at Bailleul-sur-Thérain and after a long straight line at Soissons, the three finishes will be judged after a final loop circuit which is bound to be lively. The Argos-Shimano team will be the team to watch out for: after leading John Degenkolb to victory last year, the Dutch team is now counting on Marcel Kittel to win the race. But the German national will be striving to do so whilst challenging Arnaud Démare on his home soil of Picardy. He will also have to keep a close eye on another fast-rising star of French sprint, Bryan Coquard.

Friday 10 May, stage 1: Guise - Flixecourt, 190 km

Saturday 11 May, stage 2: Oisemont - Bailleul-sur-Thérain, 171 km

Sunday 12 May, stage 3: Nanteuil-le-Haudouin - Soissons, 171 km