July 12, Stage 8: Tomblaine – Gérardmer La Mauselaine 161km

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prologue – stage 01 – stage 02 – stage 03 – stage 04 – stage 05 – stage 06 – stage 07 – stage 08 – stage 09 – stage 10 – rest day – stage 11 – stage 12 – stage 13 – stage 14 – stage 15 – rest day – stage 16 – stage 17 – stage 18 – stage 19 – stage 20 – stage 21

Adapting strategies

We are now in the Vosges and, if I may say so, this is where the chips come down. Three off-the-wall days of racing in this region, three short but different stages which reflect our desire to force riders to adapt their strategies. What can we expect from this stage? A frenzied start in which breakaway specialists will seek to capitalise on the flat 130 kilometres which open the stage before the mountain goats come out to play! The menu features three difficulties: the Croix des Moinats, the Col de Grosse Pierre “revisited” with sections at over 15% and the final climb to La Mauselaine, in Gérardmer (1.8 km at 10.3%). The favourites will have nowhere to hide. However, it is entirely possible for a long breakaway to hang on and take the stage win.