The 67th Tour of Picardy this month will
feature three stages.
Long stages without any real climbs that are
sometimes exposed to the wind often force the riders to cycle in
bordure formation. The stages also allow teams of sprinters to
fine-tune their reflexes, both in preparing for a chase and for
the sequences in the final few kilometers.
This is exactly what the Tour of Picardy
has to offer. With a small climb to spice up the section at
Flixecourt, a gentle curve at Bailleul-sur-Thérain and after a
long straight line at Soissons, the three finishes will be judged
after a final loop circuit which is bound to be lively.
The Argos-Shimano team will be the team to
watch out for. After leading John Degenkolb to victory last year,
the Dutch team is now counting on Marcel Kittel to win the race.
But the German national will be striving to do so whilst
challenging Arnaud Démare on his home soil of Picardy. He will
also have to keep a close eye on another fast-rising star of
French sprint, Bryan Coquard.
Tour de Picardy 2013 -
The Stages
- Friday, 10 May, stage 1: Guise - Flixecourt,
190 kms - Saturday, 11 May, stage 2: Oisemont -
Bailleul-sur-Thérain, 171 kms - Sunday, 12 May, stage 3:
Nanteuil-le-Haudouin - Soissons, 171 kms
Picardy,
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