This will get everyone's climbing legs warmed nicely. Rather than go for a full-on mountain stage, Tour boss Prudhomme has opted for something slightly gentler but potentially unpredictable.
It's a shame the Tour seldom comes to the Jura region, because this is wonderful cycling country, with narrow roads switching back and forth through dense forest. There are six climbs, which get progressively harder as the stage progresses. The favourites shouldn't get into trouble, but this is ideal ambush country.
Stage profile
TOPICS
-
With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe Bäckstedt and Chloé Dygert for Tour of Flanders success
Dygert and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig make their Spring debuts, while in-form Bäckstedt will hit the ground running -
'I can give others some pressure' – Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line
Dutch star will play second fiddle to Lotte Kopecky, but her presence on Sunday could be a joker card for SD Worx-Protime -
'I heard some rumours' – Tadej Pogačar says he wasn't too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut
World Champion welcomes added challenge from Belgian star as he chases record-equalling third win on Sunday -
Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel's staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years
The differences are stark, proving just how much the Dutchman has improved
