With less than a month to go to the start of the 100th
Tour De France, to say that the preparations at this time of the year being
undertaken at the Tour of Romandie are vital is an understatement, and today’s
stage, the first real sortup of the general classification, will be an
important test for many of the top names with designs on the yellow jersey,
given the 62KM of time trialling on the roster in the 6 stages that will decide
who wins this year’s race. Neither of those two time trials are as flat as today’s,
with the first time trial from Avranches to Mont St Michel having a lumpy,
climb filled profile full of several small ascents and descents to interrupt
rhythm, while the 32KM test from Embrun to Chorges has two category two climbs
with following descents, so today’s test of flat out power and speed will not
be strictly true to form of what’s coming up.
Outright tip Chris Froome will look to take the yellow
jersey and put significant time into his main rivals (specifically Alberto
Contador), most of whom’s main weakness is against the clock, but a fit and
healthy Tony Martin – and he must be happy enough that he’s over an intestinal
scare if he’s made it this far – is an outstanding favourite. Martin’s opening
breakaway may have left him vulnerable, and his lowly finish yesterday – 2
minutes down on the main field – might be of concern, but his time trial form
cannot be argued with. Since return from a Tour De France which was blighted by
a wrist break, Martin has retained his world time trial title (after his
Olympic silver), and this season is unbeaten against the clock in world tour
events. His six victories have bought winning margins of 1.07, 6 seconds, 17
seconds, 16 seconds, and 40 seconds, with all of the winning margins – baring
that of his 1.07 success over Michael Kwiatkowski at the beginning of the
season – coming over far more complicated courses than today. The 8/11 is worth
risking in light of that.
David Vallieux’s stint in the yellow jersey has been a
massive success for Europcar, but Vallieux lost 2.17 to Martin over the 18.5KM
test of the Tour of Romandie and is likely to lose his lead today. With Richie
Porte and Geraint Thomas also 1.57 off the lead, Team Sky should be in a strong
postion at the end of the day, while Slyvain Chavanel and Michael Rodgers
should also put up faster times, but Australian sensation Rohan Dennis may be
the man to surprise most others and is a large
Advice
5 pts Tony Martin (8/11 Ladbrokes, Coral)
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