Tour of Romandie 2013 - Stage 4

With less than a month to go to the start of the 100^th 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)