The battlefield
In the last week of the race, a time trial isn’t only a question of being a specialist. It also has a lot to do with fatigue. Stage 18 also favors the climbers. Changes of rhythm will be the key for winning. The steep uphill section of the Côte des Chozeaux before the downhill to Megève is likely to impact the overall classification.
Eyes on the prize
The combination of climbing skills and specific abilities to race against the clock remind that Chris Froome won a difficult time trial from Embrun to Chorges in 2013. However, the leader of Team Sky is sometimes in difficulty during the third week of the Tour de France. He was also beaten by Alberto Contador in the so-called vertical prologue of Les Gets at the Critérium du Dauphiné in early June in the absence of Nairo Quintana who might be a hot favorite on July 21st. Richie Porte is another worthy candidate. So is Thibaut Pinot who will carry the national colors – unless he holds a distinctive jersey on that day – after he won the French championship for time trial in Vesoul.
A blast from the past
Sallanches hosted the world championships on two occasions. Eventual Tour de France winner Jan Janssen took the rainbow jersey in 1964 and Bernard Hinault claimed his only title in 1980 after pulling out of the Tour de France due to a knee injury that year. His acceleration to drop his last opponent Giambattista Baronchelli has remained memorable. Being now an ambassador of the Tour de France, the Frenchman will be honored during stage 18 as a prime carrying his name will be given to the fastest rider on top of the Côte de Domancy, which is the first part of ascent from Sallanches to Megève.
