With the bunch nervy and lots of road furniture to contend with, this stage of regular twists and turns may not prove as straightforward as the pan-flat profile suggests. Surprisingly, the stage features the first two categorised climbs even though the highest point is only 70 metres above sea level.
The winner of the mountains jersey today will hold it until at least stage five, which will be a big carrot for the Dutch outfits and smaller teams, who'll be desperate to feature in the podium presentations. Expect frenetic sprints on both climbs, and for things to get even more frantic at the finish.
-
Andrey Amador retires after not racing since being run over by a truck in May
Costa Rican says retirement 'wasn't planned' after 16 seasons -
Strava plan to restrict third-party apps has users in an uproar
Fitness application makers say move will only affect a 'small fraction' of users -
Puck Pieterse's cyclocross schedule revealed with World Championships set as 'final destination'
Fenix-Deceuninck announce 13-race programme for Dutch multi-discipline star -
US juniors Matthew Crabbe, Ashlin Barry and Enzo Edmonds grab significant wins in cyclocross and on track
Crabbe scores victory in Belgium for Eurocross Academy while Barry-Enzo duo win two Madison titles in 30 minutes
