{"id":524,"date":"2025-05-11T11:11:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T09:11:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/?p=524"},"modified":"2025-05-20T10:56:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T08:56:41","slug":"stage-1-strategy-and-prediction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/stage-1-strategy-and-prediction\/","title":{"rendered":"Stage 1 Key Tactics &amp; Team Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_d05500-ad\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_d05500-ad\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_d05500-ad\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_d05500-ad wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_d05500-ad\">Stage 1 is never just a warm-up \u2014 it\u2019s a <strong>tactical minefield<\/strong> wrapped in high-speed adrenaline. The fight for the first maillot jaune makes teams race like it\u2019s a one-day Classic. Here\u2019s how the chessboard is likely to be played:<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_afe082-54 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_afe082-54 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_afe082-54 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_afe082-54\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_9aca90-77\"]{padding-top:0px;text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_9aca90-77\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_9aca90-77\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_9aca90-77\"]{font-size:25px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_9aca90-77 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_9aca90-77\"><strong>Stage 1 Race Strategy &amp; Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3c6ad5-0a\">This Stage 1 analysis will unpack all the key racing dynamics, the sprinters&#8217; battle for early glory, breakaway strategies on the flat Lille roads, how GC teams will navigate this tricky opener, and why the technical finale could rewrite the script. We&#8217;ll examine team tactics, rider matchups, and hidden challenges that could surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_8797ed-c0\"><strong>Sprinter Teams: Control, Control, Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sprinter squads will try to <em>lock down the day<\/em> from kilometer zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Primary Goals:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Neutralize early breakaways (list)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Keep GC leaders safe<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Position their fast man in the final 500m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Likely Controllers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Alpecin\u2013Deceuninck<\/strong> (Philipsen) &nbsp; (list)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><strong>DSM\u2013Firmenich PostNL<\/strong> (Jakobsen)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><strong>Jayco\u2013AlUla<\/strong> (Groenewegen)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><strong>Decathlon\u2013AG2R<\/strong> (Bennett)<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_0fb5ee-46 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_f51f18-7a:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_f51f18-7a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_f51f18-7a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_58022b-7e\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_58022b-7e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_58022b-7e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_58022b-7e\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_58022b-7e\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_58022b-7e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_58022b-7e\">\ud83d\udc65 Expect full lead-out formations with riders peeling off one-by-one inside the final kilometer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_b1ce25-8d .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_b1ce25-8d .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_b1ce25-8d .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_b1ce25-8d\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a6fc0b-81\"><strong>Breakaway Strategy: Point Hunting &amp; Screen Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e\"]{padding-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c570b5-0e\">Breakaway hopefuls aren\u2019t dreaming of a win \u2014 they\u2019re hunting:<br><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:500px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_f7236c-0b alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_acc188-c7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_acc188-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_acc188-c7\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container524_757a77-53{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_757a77-53 th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_757a77-53 caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_757a77-53 td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_757a77-53 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_757a77-53 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_757a77-53 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container524_757a77-53 wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table524_757a77-53\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_2dfd25-d9{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_2dfd25-d9\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_329d1c-53\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Goal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_487145-66\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reason<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_be1012-d6{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_be1012-d6\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_e2960a-d0\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Early KOM points<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_b4cdc7-28\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Fight for polka dot jersey<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_307bce-38{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_307bce-38\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_7b8da3-33\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Intermediate sprint<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_439788-d9\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Bag green jersey points<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_8da7ec-66{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_8da7ec-66\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_dcf61e-91\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sponsor exposure<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_88b714-46\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Get camera time on global stage<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_827199-e6\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_827199-e6\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_827199-e6\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_827199-e6 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_827199-e6\">But odds of staying away? <strong>Less than 1%<\/strong> on a flat Stage 1.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_cf7c21-d0 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_cf7c21-d0 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_cf7c21-d0 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_cf7c21-d0\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_163e85-f8\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_163e85-f8\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_163e85-f8\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_163e85-f8\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_163e85-f8 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_163e85-f8\"><strong>GC Teams: Safety First, Always<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For teams with title hopes, the strategy is crystal clear:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep leaders out of trouble (top 20 wheels)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Stay ahead of splits, especially near <strong>crosswind zones<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid crashes in final 3 km<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Don\u2019t contest sprint, but don\u2019t lose time either<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_baaf06-33 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_43c0dc-3a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5e30d0-bf\">\ud83d\udd10 GC teams will often ride just behind sprinter trains\u2014a zone called the <em>\u201csafe lane\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_df2548-dc .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_df2548-dc .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_df2548-dc .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_df2548-dc\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:center;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_f67e23-d8\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-ic_timer kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 8 8\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M2 0v1h1v.03c-1.7.24-3 1.71-3 3.47 0 1.93 1.57 3.5 3.5 3.5s3.5-1.57 3.5-3.5c0-.45-.1-.87-.25-1.25l-.91.38c.11.29.16.57.16.88 0 1.39-1.11 2.5-2.5 2.5s-2.5-1.11-2.5-2.5 1.11-2.5 2.5-2.5c.3 0 .59.05.88.16l.34-.94c-.23-.08-.47-.12-.72-.16v-.06h1v-1h-3zm5 1.16s-3.65 2.81-3.84 3c-.19.2-.19.49 0 .69.19.2.49.2.69 0 .2-.2 3.16-3.69 3.16-3.69z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong> Bonus Seconds = GC Spark<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bonus time structure (10, 6, 4 seconds) <strong>can shape the GC<\/strong> early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Implications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If a GC rider sneaks into 3rd place: <em>he wears yellow!<\/em><em><br><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Some teams (like UAE or Soudal\u2013Quick-Step) might <em>surprise attack<\/em> late for this reason<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Could also decide the <strong><em>first white jersey<\/em><\/strong> for Best Young Rider<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_068d55-b4\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_068d55-b4\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_068d55-b4\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_068d55-b4\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_068d55-b4 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_068d55-b4\"><strong>Wildcards: What Could Flip the Script?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Late crosswinds:<\/strong> Especially in open farmland near Cassel<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:0\"><strong>Crash near 3km marker:<\/strong> Can split the field if mistimed<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technical finish (if revised):<\/strong> Could favor agile sprinters over pure power types<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77\"]{padding-bottom:0px;font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_13f2c8-77\"><strong>Visual: Tactical Zones Breakdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:550px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_be56d4-e5 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_41097b-3e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_41097b-3e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_41097b-3e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container524_e50a9e-60{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_e50a9e-60 th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_e50a9e-60 caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_e50a9e-60 td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_e50a9e-60 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_e50a9e-60 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_e50a9e-60 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container524_e50a9e-60 wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table524_e50a9e-60\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_cb0bef-bf{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_cb0bef-bf\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_9bddef-9f\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Zone<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_d8bd33-68\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Tactics<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_0d358c-7b{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_0d358c-7b\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_31d876-35\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">KM 0\u201330<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_5de229-cc\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Breakaway forms, GC teams relaxed<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_418570-0f{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_418570-0f\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_c03073-cd\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">KM 30\u2013120<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_c07ec3-10\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Steady pace, sprinter teams tempo control<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_2799ed-03{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_2799ed-03\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_c67d36-f8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">KM 120\u2013160<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_14b5e8-3b\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Crosswind alert zones, GC teams move forward<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_ae5dab-aa\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_4b610e-43\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">KM 160\u2013185<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_5a2541-8e\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sprint setup chaos, lead-out trains dominate<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_5d59cf-4e alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_0280f3-19{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_0280f3-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_0280f3-19\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_2b7c09-40 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_5dd06a-6b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_7b3098-ba\">\ud83d\udccc <em>If you\u2019d like, I can turn this timeline into a clean horizontal graphic.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_9ad87c-74 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_9ad87c-74 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_9ad87c-74 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_9ad87c-74\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"]{font-size:22px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xl, 4rem);}}<\/style><h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_3efb05-76 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_3efb05-76\"><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Who Benefits? Sprinters in the Spotlight<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fe_zap kb-adv-heading-icon-side-right\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"13 2 3 14 12 14 11 22 21 10 12 10 13 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stage 1 of the 2025 Tour de France is tailor-made for the <em>fast men of the peloton<\/em>. With a mostly flat route and a likely bunch sprint finale in Lille, this is a golden opportunity for sprinters to <em>snag the first yellow jersey<\/em> and set the tone for the race.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"]{font-size:22px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:0px;}}<\/style><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ae5c31-bd\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_medal kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M223.75 130.75L154.62 15.54A31.997 31.997 0 0 0 127.18 0H16.03C3.08 0-4.5 14.57 2.92 25.18l111.27 158.96c29.72-27.77 67.52-46.83 109.56-53.39zM495.97 0H384.82c-11.24 0-21.66 5.9-27.44 15.54l-69.13 115.21c42.04 6.56 79.84 25.62 109.56 53.38L509.08 25.18C516.5 14.57 508.92 0 495.97 0zM256 160c-97.2 0-176 78.8-176 176s78.8 176 176 176 176-78.8 176-176-78.8-176-176-176zm92.52 157.26l-37.93 36.96 8.97 52.22c1.6 9.36-8.26 16.51-16.65 12.09L256 393.88l-46.9 24.65c-8.4 4.45-18.25-2.74-16.65-12.09l8.97-52.22-37.93-36.96c-6.82-6.64-3.05-18.23 6.35-19.59l52.43-7.64 23.43-47.52c2.11-4.28 6.19-6.39 10.28-6.39 4.11 0 8.22 2.14 10.33 6.39l23.43 47.52 52.43 7.64c9.4 1.36 13.17 12.95 6.35 19.59z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Why This is a Sprinter\u2019s Dream<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">No major climbs to drain their legs<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Wide roads and minimal technical corners in the finale<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">Early opportunity to wear yellow\u2014a career-defining moment<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">First real test for lead-out trains and team coordination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_34ee00-97\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_34ee00-97\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_34ee00-97\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_34ee00-97\"]{padding-bottom:0px;font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_34ee00-97 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_34ee00-97\"><strong>Predicted Top Sprinters to Watch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:850px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_350a59-6b alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_04c01c-f6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_04c01c-f6\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container524_9e7329-3f{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_9e7329-3f th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_9e7329-3f caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_9e7329-3f td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_9e7329-3f tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_9e7329-3f tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_9e7329-3f tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container524_9e7329-3f wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table524_9e7329-3f\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_295e14-00{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_295e14-00\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_3090ed-a1\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rider<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_0bf02b-a2\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_ea3cd8-8e\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strength<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_0c50ed-10\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2024 Highlight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_fbf61f-fe{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_fbf61f-fe\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_0dda88-d8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Jasper Philipsen<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_51302a-4a\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Alpecin-Deceuninck<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_97081e-cc\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Raw power + elite positioning<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_c18617-38\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">4 Tour stage wins in 2024<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_4efa49-f5{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_4efa49-f5\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_7cdfaf-36\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Fabio Jakobsen<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_a81e5b-99\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">DSM-Firmenich PostNL<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_d6c006-80\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Comeback king + top-end speed<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_5c0d94-c4\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Stage win at Giro d\u2019Italia<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_9eb69b-98{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_9eb69b-98\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_9ee65c-ff\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Arnaud D\u00e9mare<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_476d64-29\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Ark\u00e9a\u2013B&amp;B Hotels<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_0c842f-9d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Strong on French roads<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_213b4d-c1\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Podiums at Paris\u2013Nice<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_d0ae87-62{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_d0ae87-62\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_d95f97-70\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Dylan Groenewegen<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_d1485a-c7\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Jayco\u2013AlUla<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_fe862f-ce\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Masters flat sprints<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_99b7d3-61\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Consistent 2024 WorldTour wins<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_de6c6a-d7{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_de6c6a-d7\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_0076a5-88\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sam Bennett<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_5a6303-8b\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Decathlon\u2013AG2R<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_8a7939-4b\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Late-season resurgence<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_16f43b-44\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Green jersey contender again?<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_9c4135-db alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_537589-2c{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_537589-2c, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_537589-2c:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_537589-2c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_537589-2c\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_5f83cb-ef\">\ud83d\udd0d <em>Note: Caleb Ewan, Mark Cavendish, and Tim Merlier are also potential surprises depending on form and team roles.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_91905b-5c .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_91905b-5c .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_91905b-5c .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_91905b-5c\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_72337c-e5\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_72337c-e5\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_72337c-e5\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_72337c-e5\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_72337c-e5 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_72337c-e5\"><strong>GC Riders Will Play it Safe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Expect contenders like <strong>Pogacar<\/strong>, <strong>Vingegaard<\/strong>, and <strong>Evenepoel<\/strong> to stay tucked in<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Teams will work to <strong>avoid crashes<\/strong>, not chase wins<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No big time gaps expected, unless chaos strikes in crosswinds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_902d32-09\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_902d32-09\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_902d32-09\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_902d32-09\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_902d32-09 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_902d32-09\"><strong>KOM &amp; Breakaway Notes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">A couple of minor categorized climbs mean <strong>early King of the Mountains points<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">A breakaway might scoop up those KOM prizes before being reeled in<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GC teams won\u2019t care about early attackers unless echelons threaten<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cee97a-fd\"><strong>The Yellow Jersey Equation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because this is a flat opener with bonus seconds up for grabs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0\">10, 6, and 4 seconds awarded to the <strong>top 3 finishers<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">A win here means a <em>sprinter leads the general classification<\/em><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First yellow jersey often defines early race narrative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-size:22px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}}<\/style><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_b61362-84 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_b61362-84\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fe_repeat kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polyline points=\"17 1 21 5 17 9\"\/><path d=\"M3 11V9a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h14\"\/><polyline points=\"7 23 3 19 7 15\"\/><path d=\"M21 13v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H3\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Scenario Snapshot: How It Might Play Out<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udd39 Early Game:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1070px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_3c0c59-be alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_fe71d1-14:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_fe71d1-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_fe71d1-14\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_77b92f-67\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_77b92f-67\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_77b92f-67\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_77b92f-67\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_77b92f-67\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_77b92f-67 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_77b92f-67\">2\u20133 riders break away, take KOM points and some camera time<br>Peloton keeps the leash short, never more than 2\u20133 minutes ahead<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udd39 Mid Game:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1070px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_0461f8-f6 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_999d15-36{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_999d15-36, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_999d15-36:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_999d15-36 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_999d15-36\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a85aac-66\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a85aac-66\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a85aac-66\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a85aac-66\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a85aac-66\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_a85aac-66 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_a85aac-66\">Sprinter teams slowly take control \u2014 Alpecin, DSM, Jayco<br>Wind direction checked constantly for crosswind threats<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udd39 End Game (Last 5 km):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1070px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_dcdcfd-31 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_04e303-1a, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_04e303-1a:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_04e303-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_04e303-1a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fbb711-ed\">Peloton gets twitchy \u2014 positioning is everything<br>High-speed lead-outs engage<br>A mass sprint down the wide final straight in Lille<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_e85147-c0 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_611daa-8d, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_611daa-8d:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_611daa-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_611daa-8d\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_fc2ab3-a1\">\ud83e\udde0 <em>Tactics Tip:<\/em> Any time loss here is usually due to crashes or late splits\u2014not lack of form. Expect clean GC sheet\u2026 unless chaos hits.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_263262-d6 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_263262-d6 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_263262-d6 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_263262-d6\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_75502a-95\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_75502a-95\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_75502a-95\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_75502a-95\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_75502a-95 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_75502a-95\">Stage 1 <strong>Predictions &amp; Fan Polls \ud83d\udd2e<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It\u2019s time to channel your inner race director.<\/strong> Who\u2019s snatching the first yellow jersey of 2025? Will a fast finisher steal the show, or will some wild-card warrior shock us all in Lille? Cast your vote, call your shot, and stir the pre-race chaos below.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:465px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_91db96-f0 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_d43139-df{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_d43139-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_d43139-df\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container524_97157a-b1{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_97157a-b1 th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_97157a-b1 caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_97157a-b1 td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table524_97157a-b1 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_97157a-b1 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table524_97157a-b1 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container524_97157a-b1 wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table524_97157a-b1\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_92a24d-0a{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_92a24d-0a\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_c8226b-62\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong>Option<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_daf72d-61\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong>Why It\u2019s Spicy \ud83c\udf36\ufe0f<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_9864be-3a{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_9864be-3a\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_9241f5-80\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udfe8 A Top Sprinter<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_76cd01-b2\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Lille\u2019s flat finish screams \u201cbunch sprint\u201d\u2014think Jasper Philipsen, Fabio Jakobsen, or Mads Pedersen.<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_e437f1-ca{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_e437f1-ca\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_91c70b-94\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83e\udde8 A Breakaway Daredevil<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_1832a6-62\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Unlikely, but not impossible\u2014crosswinds + chaos = breakaway miracle?<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row524_97148b-fc{height:50px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row524_97148b-fc\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_ee8207-85\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udfad A Surprise Contender<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data524_2b177c-34\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">A GC guy hunting bonus seconds or a wildcard with fresh legs.<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id524_e53636-08 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db{position:relative;}.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column524_0a41dc-db:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column524_0a41dc-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column524_0a41dc-db\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c1ccae-91\">\ud83d\udc49 <em>Click to vote in our X poll: #Stage1Prediction<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_5f3838-d7 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_5f3838-d7 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_5f3838-d7 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_5f3838-d7\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"]{font-size:22px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}}<\/style><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_c410e0-aa\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fa_rocketchat kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M448 256.2c0-87.2-99.6-153.3-219.8-153.3-18.8 0-37.3 1.6-55.3 4.8-11.1-10.5-24.2-20-38-27.4C61.2 44.2 0 79.4 0 79.4s56.9 47.1 47.6 88.3c-52.3 52.3-52.5 124.1 0 176.6C56.9 385.6 0 432.6 0 432.6s61.2 35.2 134.9-.8c13.8-7.5 26.9-16.9 38-27.4 18 3.2 36.5 4.8 55.3 4.8 120.3-.1 219.8-65.8 219.8-153zm-219.7 124c-23.7 0-46.3-2.8-67.3-7.8-21.3 25.8-68.1 61.7-113.6 50.1 14.8-16 36.7-43.1 32-87.6-27.3-21.4-43.6-48.7-43.6-78.5 0-68.4 86.2-123.9 192.5-123.9S420.8 188 420.8 256.4c0 68.3-86.2 123.8-192.5 123.8zm25.6-123.9c0 14.2-11.5 25.8-25.6 25.8-14.1 0-25.6-11.5-25.6-25.8 0-14.2 11.5-25.8 25.6-25.8 14.1 0 25.6 11.6 25.6 25.8zm88.9 0c0 14.2-11.4 25.8-25.6 25.8-14.1 0-25.6-11.5-25.6-25.8 0-14.2 11.4-25.8 25.6-25.8 14.1 0 25.6 11.6 25.6 25.8zm-177.9 0c0 14.2-11.4 25.8-25.6 25.8-14.1 0-25.6-11.5-25.6-25.8 0-14.2 11.4-25.8 25.6-25.8 14.2 0 25.6 11.6 25.6 25.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Fan Firestarter: Comment Prompt<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udca5 <em>\u201cWho\u2019s your pick for Stage 1\u2014and why?\u201d<br><\/em> Drop your predictions below. Bonus points for bold calls. (Got a feeling Van der Poel goes long? Say it loud.)<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_ee90b3-b8\"><strong><em>Our team\u2019s Bold Prediction<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_87a3ad-2d\"><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Arnaud De Lie \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea<br><br><strong>Why:<\/strong> He\u2019s got the legs, the team, and the hunger. And Stage 1 chaos is his playground. If he avoids crashes and nails positioning, he could upset the big-name sprinters.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_878aac-09 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_878aac-09 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-524_878aac-09 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-524_878aac-09\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading524_cd6ce2-4e\">The maillot jaune isn\u2019t just about speed\u2014it\u2019s about <em>timing<\/em>. Bonus seconds (10-6-4 at the finish) could shake things up. If a sprinter takes it? Easy. But if a GC guy sneaks into the top 3? Well&#8230; cue early leaderboard drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want a full race calendar, daily recaps, or interactive maps? Stick with us\u2014we\u2019ll ride this journey together all the way to Paris. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stage 1 is never just a warm-up \u2014 it\u2019s a tactical minefield wrapped in high-speed adrenaline. The fight for the first maillot jaune makes teams race like it\u2019s a one-day Classic. Here\u2019s how the chessboard is likely to be played: Stage 1 Race Strategy &amp; Predictions This Stage 1 analysis will unpack all the key&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":922,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tdf-guide"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":27,"label":"Tour de France Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/TDF-Stage-1-Strategies-and-Predictions-1024x683.webp",1024,683,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Gautier Durfort","author_link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/author\/gautier-durfort\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":27,"name":"Tour de France Guide","slug":"tdf-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":27,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Tour de France 2025 Guide: Stage-by-stage breakdowns, route maps, team previews, and expert predictions for all 21 days of racing. Your complete TDF resource","parent":0,"count":31,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":27,"category_count":31,"category_description":"Tour de France 2025 Guide: Stage-by-stage breakdowns, route maps, team previews, and expert predictions for all 21 days of racing. Your complete TDF resource","cat_name":"Tour de France Guide","category_nicename":"tdf-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=524"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/524\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}