Tour de France Femmes 2023 Stage 3 preview: The sprinters come out to play
147km race to Montignac-Lascaux pits Wiebes, Vos, Kool against each other in fast, flat finish
Stage 3: Collonges-La-Rouge to Montignac-Lascaux
Date: July 25, 2023
Distance: 147km
Stage type: Flat
After two tough days to start the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, stage 3 sees the peloton take on a stage for the sprinters.
The 147km route will see the riders head on a northern loop around Brive-le-Gaillarde, tackling five categorised climbs on the way to the finish. The toughest of the lot is the third-category Côte du Peyroux (4.8km at 4%) within the first 30km, while the next four fourth-category hills shouldn't pose a big challenge for the fast finishers of the peloton.
The Côte du Pératel (2km at 5.3%), Côte de l'Escurotte (2.6km at 4.7%), Côte de Andrieux (2.6km at 4.1%) and Côte de Saint-Robert (1.1km at 6.2%) follow over the opening 93km of the stage, with no categorised climbs coming inside the final 50km of racing.
At 26km from the line, the intermediate sprint in Badefols-d'Ans could provide some action if the breakaway is caught early after hoovering up the stage's QOM points. Otherwise, it'll be full gas to the finish line and the first expected bunch sprint of the race.
With Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) comfortable at 49 seconds up in the leader's jersey after her stage 1 solo victory, there shouldn't be any major change in the overall rankings on stage 3 on the flat final 10km to the finish.
Instead, look towards the sprinters of the peloton to take their chance for the first time in the race. Kopecky's teammate Lorena Wiebes, second on the opening day, will be looking to add to her two stage wins last summer.
The Dutchwoman will face stern competition from her two compatriots – Charlotte Kool (dsm-firmenich) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma). The former is seeking her first Tour de France Femmes career win, while Vos is set to launch her bid for a second green points jersey.
Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ), Rachele Barbieri (Liv Racing-Xstra), and Julie De Wilde (Fenix-Deceunick) are among the other names in with a shout at glory in Montignac-Lascaux.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Pan-Am Cyclocross Championships: Lauren Zoerner and Ian Ackert retain U23 titles
Jenaya Francis earns silver for Canada in U23 women's race while USA's Jack Spranger takes U23 silver for men -
Zoe Bäckstedt carries road racing form into cyclocross season with an eye on Worlds
Geert Wellens joins Canyon-SRAM as new cyclocross director -
Baloise Trek say SRAM chain failures cost European cyclocross championship medals
Manager Sven Nys points to ongoing issues with components -
Rigoberto Urán closes out professional cycling career with farewell event at Medellín stadium among 8000 fans
'I was able to fight and inspire an entire country'