Profile, timetables, the last chance for sprinters? The 17th stage between Bollène and Valence in questions

Between the Vaucluse and the Drôme, the sprinters will try to get a last victory on Wednesday, before the generous menu of the Alps.

In the aftermath of the splendid first French victory on this edition, the work of Valentin Paret-Peinte at the top of Mont Ventoux, the peloton descends for what will be the last stage of the plain of this 112nd edition of the Tour de France, Wednesday, July 23. If Jasper Philipsen has long abandoned the big loop, the sprinters teams will do everything to offer a last chance to their racing car, while the favorites will hope for a quiet day before the terrible chain of the Alps, Thursday and Friday.

What profile?

After the intermediate sprint in Saint-Secret-Béconne, located 47.9 km from the finish, there will only be two difficulties during this 17th stage, which has only 1,650 m of elevation gain, almost the same total as the 8th stage in Laval or the 11th in Toulouse. A course that is not all flat but that does not seem stiff enough to see the breakaway arguing the victory.

The Col du Perthuis (4th cat., 3.7 km at 6.6%) and the Tartaguille pass (4th cat., 3.6 km at 3.5%) are placed at 94 km and 43 km from the finish. They are not located in the final of the stage, which suggests a group arrival in Valence, probably the last of this tower. There remains a usual factor, the wind, which could again blur the expected scenario.

What favorites?

Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Tim Merlier (Sudal-Quick-Step). As on all stages dedicated to sprinters on this edition, Italian and Belgian are the two favorites in the event of a massive sprint. With two victories to one, Merlier has the advantage, but Milan plays the green jersey in Paris, and he must take the maximum points this Wednesday so as not to see Tadej Pogacar checkered him in Paris.

Without the two leaders Alpecin-Deceuninck, Mathieu Van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, Kaden Groves will alone carry the chances of the Belgian formation. The door could then open for Arnaud de Lie (Lotto) or Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), who is still looking for his breath after his formidable lap of last year. Among the French, more from Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), but Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ), Anthony Turgis (Totalenergies) or even Axel Laurance (ineos-grenadiers) will be the best chances.

What are the hours?

Start of the retransmission (on France 2 and france.tv(New window)): 13h25

Fictive departure: 1:35 p.m.

Real departure: 1:50 p.m.

Provisional arrival: 5:10 p.m.