Yesterday our 66/1 shot Robert Gesink was one of several riders to go on the attack and he went the distance to finish an agonizing second to Lilian Calmejane. There's more mountains today and they're even harder.
Today is a proper mountain stage with seven categorized climbs including three monsters. The Col de la Biche arrives first, before the Grand Colombier and finally the Mont du Chat. It's harder than yesterday and only serious climbers will get away in the early break. A descent to the finish suggests we could see a much reduced bunch sprint.
Things will go one of two ways. If the stage is controlled by the GC teams we should see some action on the Mont du Chat and very possibly a big name stage winner. Chris Froome heads the betting and was aggressive on the descent of the Mont du Chat at last month's Dauphine. He's as big as 6/1 with Coral and there's some value in that price.
Romain Bardet is another who will love the downhill finish and may look to jump away before the final summit. He's 10/1 with Coral and could well get some of my money.
Froome's big rival Richie Porte is a lofty 16/1 at a couple of bookmakers. It's a tempting price but I just can't see the Tasmanian enjoying the flat finish.
The other alternative is that we see another breakaway winner. The climbers will be out in force and I expect that some riders will have rested yesterday in preparation.
Thibaut Pinot is a name that keeps popping up but I'm not tempted at 7/1. The Frenchman looks tired and today will be too hard for him in current form. I hope he's not bluffing!
Tiesj Benoot lost time yesterday but may have his eye on Tour de France glory. He went well at last month's Dauphine and is attractive at 100/1. He might be worth a punt EW.
The difficulty of the stage restricts the number of riders who could win from a breakaway. Diego Ulissi looked good today but will need to be at his best to deliver something special today. The same can be said of Thomas de Gendt.
If the early break are kept on a leash we could see some late aggression from the main group. Emanuel Buchmann could be afforded some freedom and is climbing well this year. He's 125/1 on Paddypower and much shorter elsewhere.
The Verdict
I'll be on a couple of riders today to cover all bases. Bardet to win at 10/1, Benoot EW at 100/1 and Buchmann EW at 125/1.
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