After 13 kilometers of an urban circuit run against the clock, which crowned the Belgian Yves Lampaert, the first yellow jersey, the riders of the Tour de France find the joys of the peloton this Saturday July 2 for the second stage, the first in line of this Tour, over 202 kilometers between Roskilde and Nyborg.
The novelty: an 18 km bridge over the sea
This great start from Denmark is also the occasion to offer the riders a great novelty: the crossing of a giant bridge over the sea, usually reserved only for cars, just before the finish in Nyborg. In an extremely flat stage, this Great Belt bridge, 20 kilometers before Nyborg, can change the situation and complicate the task of sprinters like Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) or Fabio Jakobsen (Quick Step). Not because this bridge is an impassable mountain. But especially because it is exposed to the wind. Edges can form and eject favorites from the front group or trap sprinters. The wind could also blow on the 80 km preceding the bridge, which take place by the sea. In short, it will blow and there will be a spectacle!
The favorite: Wout van Aert revenge
The Belgian from Jumbo-Visma was blown away with victory and yellow jersey on Friday for 5 seconds by his compatriot Yves Lampaert. Wout van Aert will no doubt want to take his revenge, by winning the stage which could end in a sprint. This declared candidate for the green jersey has the means, just as he is able, like a good Flemish, to play with the wind so as not to be trapped in the curbs.
The eye of Thierry Gouvenou, course manager
“For a few years, with Christian Prudhomme, when we pass through flat regions, we try to look for the wind when possible. The problem with this kind of research is that you have to hope for the goodwill of the weather: if nothing blows, nothing happens! Even before the part of the bridge over the sea and its 18 km which will be impressive, there will be a whole part inland which can also be very tricky if the wind blows. It will be a very tense day if the weather is on our side. »
“We also made the choice to stop the finish a few kilometers after the bridge so that any gaps created by the curbs are paid for in cash on the line. In this stage, there is not much to gain but a lot to lose. Above the sea, if it’s blowing, you’ll have to be extremely well surrounded on the leaders’ side. It will clearly be a test at the collective level. In a border, a fan system is set up. Our idea is that this fan takes place in the center of the bridge and not on the sides in order to avoid the risk of falling into the sea! We will therefore decide at the last minute, depending on the direction of the wind, the side of the road taken by the runners. »