Stage 13: Rodez — Revel
What is it? Breakaway with a chance of sprint.
Got Climbs? Yes, but no mountains. There is a 2 kilometer climb averaging 6% inside 10 kilometers to go.
Yellow Jersey Battle: Not today.
Ideal Rider: Marcus Burghardt, Lars Boom, David Millar, Pierrick Fédrigo... Breakaway boys.
@Gavia: Will there be sunflowers? Looking forward to seeing who makes the break. Should be a fast first hour, anyway, with this one almost certain to go all the way.
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The Tour continues its southwestern journey toward its big rendez-vous with the Pyrénées. The stage runs over bumpy terrain from Rodez to Revel. After this stage, there are only two more opportunities for the sprinters. If the Green Jersey race is close, the sprinters' teams may ride hard enough to bring back the break. The terrain will do them no favors, though, and this stage looks more likely to favor the escape, as a succession of categorized climbs will make it difficult for the chase to find its rhythm. Inside 10 kilometers to go, the Côte de Saint-Ferréol offers the perfect launch pad for a race winning move. Small group tactics are always fun to watch, as the collaboration holding the break together dissolves and each rider begins to look after his own chances. The final climb is perfectly placed to open the hostilities. Since 1966, the Tour has finished in Revel on eight occasions. Each time, a rider from the breakaway has won the day. Why mess with perfection?
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