Final explosive in Boulogne-sur-Mer, the expected sneakers, Tadej Pogacar already on the attack? The 2nd stage in questions

The 184 runners set off from Lauwin-Planque to travel the longest stage of this Tour de France on Sunday.

Second step of the Tour de France and already the longest of this edition. After a first day around Lille, marked by the victory of sprinter Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceunink) First yellow jersey of this big loop, the runners will start at Lauwin-Planque, Sunday July 6, direction Boulogne-sur-Mer. The route, rugged at the end of the race, should benefit the best pumpers of the peloton, and even the cadors who could lay their first trailer. Upon arrival, a change in yellow jersey may well occur.

What is the profile?

This is the longest stage of this Tour de France (209 km) and it takes place from the second day of racing. The first 170 kilometers of racing have no major difficulty, only a fourth category coast, that of Cavron-Saint-Martin (1.1 km at 5.9%) in mid-race.

Large things will start just over 30 km from the arrival in the Côte du Haut Pichot (1 km at 10%), then with the sequence of the steep coasts of Saint-Etienne-au-Mont (1 km at 10.6%) and Outreau (800 m at 8.8%).

This step will then take on the tunes of classic. The most ambitious will try to energize the race and why not seize the yellow jersey. If several runners are still grouped after the passage of these difficulties, the last meters are in the coast and a sprint between Putanchers will decrease them in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Who are the favorites?

After a first step intended for sprinters, the yellow jersey could change shoulders. The last 30 kilometers have something to discourage the largest thighs in the peloton. The opportunity is ideal for a puncturer on the podium at the end of the stage.

Will we see a new duel between Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), after the victories of Dutch on Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix? They are part of a very ambitious pack of sneakers, in the company of the French Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ). Also pay attention to other favorites in the general classification, who will be particularly attentive to not waste time on Sunday, especially Remco Evenepoel (Sudal Quick-Step) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), who have already conceded 39 seconds, Saturday.

What are the hours?

12:05 p.m.: Start of retransmission on France 2 and france.tv(New window).
12:15 p.m.: Fictitious departure
12:35 p.m.: Real departure
5:20 p.m.: Average forecast arrival