Profile, timetables, a final for Putnumanuses and in particular Lotte Kopecky? The 5th stage between the Futuroscope and Guéret in questions

The longest stage of this edition will long be flat before an explosive final in the Creuse on Wednesday.

The longest day before a breathless final. With 165.8 km to go, the 5th stage will be the longest of this edition, in order to start the descent to the Massif Central after three stages in the west of France. Departure at Futuroscope, in Vienne, is obviously a wink supported by the French formation FDJ-Suez, born here in 2006 under the name of Vienna Futuroscope and which still has its headquarters.

What profile?

It will only go up. The profile, ascendant of this rugged step, will start quietly, without the slightest difficulty listed in the first 129 kilometers. But we will have three in the last 35 kilometers, with the Côte de Chabannes (1.4 km at 5.2%) to start, just after the intermediate sprint.

We will then continue with that of Peyroux (3.3 km at 4.3%). Fifteen kilometers later, the Maupuy's final bump (2.8 km at 5.4%), which will be preceded by a sprint for foot -off, should be decisive since located seven kilometers from the finish.

What favorites?

It is a profile that seems cut for Lotte Kopecky. The world champion, queen of classics, likes this kind of stage where the thighs heat in the bumps before a small group is played the victory in the sprint. It remains to be seen if the Belgian, who does not play the general, will release his card or try to pass his sprinter at SD-World, Lorena Wiebes, already victorious of the 3rd and 4th stages.

We could also find a duel with the Visma-Lease a Bike, which had perfectly executed the plan for two during the 1st stage with Pauline-Ferrand Provost and the yellow jersey Marianne Vos. Finally Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal), winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and 2nd of the first stage, and Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), winner of the Walloon Flèche, could take advantage of the marking to get out. Unless Cédrine Kerbaol (EF-Education Oatly) is reducing the last year?

What hours?

Fictive departure: 1:20 p.m.

Real departure: 1:35 p.m.

Start of the live on France 2: 3:35 p.m.

Estimated forecast arrival: 5:32 p.m.