Ophelie Artaud 5:18 p.m., July 02, 2022
After Yves Lampart's victory in the first stage of the 109th edition of the Tour de France, former cyclist and Europe 1 consultant Richard Virenque shared his first impressions.
If the French should distinguish themselves during the mountain stages, it will be necessary to pass without incident the cobblestone stage, Wednesday between Lille and Arenberg.
After Yves Lampaert's victory on Friday for the first stage of the Tour de France, former professional cyclist and Europe 1 consultant Richard Virenque shared his first impressions for this 2022 edition. If all the favorites are present, it will take wait a little longer before seeing the French cyclists who should stand out during the mountain stages.
The expected stage of the cobblestones next Wednesday
"For the French riders, we will have to wait a short week for us to get to the heart of the matter of this Tour de France: the mountains", explained Richard Virenque.
Because after Denmark until Sunday, the Tour will continue next Tuesday in the north of France, with a stage between Dunkirk and Calais, then Wednesday with a race between Lille and Arenberg.
"During this stage of the cobblestones, you will have to be vigilant and carefully scrutinize the weather", warns the former cyclist.
"Because if the weather is rainy, riding on wet cobblestones with mud, it's not easy, especially when you're at 50 or 60 kilometers per hour. If this stage should be fun to watch for the spectators, it will be less so for the runners. Even the best are not immune to a fall".
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The objective will therefore be to pass this long-awaited cobblestone stage without any pitfalls.
In the meantime, the riders will continue the tour on the Danish side on Sunday, with a third stage between Vejle and Sonderborg.