Analysis of the stage 1

"After this stage the sprinters will not have a lot of chances left to show off their skills. They will have just two stages left on which to shine: in Montpellier and then in Paris with the finish on the Champs-Élysées. That's why their teams will undoubtedly be looking to keep a tight rein on the action, just as they will do on the previous stage. But they will have to watch out. Riders of the ilk of Sandy Casar or Jérôme Pineau could try to pull off something spectacular today. The profiles of the stages that follow won't allow them to do that. And, as there will still be a lot of teams that have not won a stage up to now, those that haven't will be aiming to make an impression."

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Tour
• de
• France
• 2011