After two exciting, but difficult stages contested by the General Classification riders the sprinters will be hoping they get the final say in Stage 3 of the Tour de France starting in Amorebieta-Etxano and ending in Bayonne 193.5 kilometres later.
STAGE 2 WRAP UP
Stage 2 was ridden hard and once again it was only Wout Van Aert that could fly the sprinters flag and make it up over the final climb. He found himself the hot favourite in the select group with a couple of teammates around him but after chasing down a few attacks they hesitated when Victor Lafay came from the back of the bunch to go for glory with a kilometre to go. In the end Lafay held off the fast finishing peloton with Van Aert getting 2nd and Pogacar 3rd for the second day running.
JERSEY UPDATE
Adam Yates continues to hold the Yellow Jersey, 6 seconds ahead of his teammate, Pogacar and his brother Simon. Vingegaard currently sits in 6th place, 16 seconds behind Yates and 10 seconds behind Pogacar.
Pogacar has shortened into 9/10 favourite in the Outright Betting with Jonas Vingegaard now 23/20.
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Pogacar is also favourite in the King of the Mountains race priced at 69/20 with current Polka Dot Jersey wearer, Neilson Powless at 5/1. Ineos are the 27/20 favourites to win the Team Classification and at the time of writing I am still waiting for Green Jersey prices. I suspect there will be little change with the sprinters having played little role in this Tour so far.
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STAGE 2 BETTING – Click here to bet
Philipsen 7/4
Jakobsen 3/1
Groenewegen 8/1
Van Aert 9/1
Pedersen 9/1
11/1 and better the balance
THE ROUTE
The first half of this stage is the toughest with 3 categorised climbs similar in profile to the ones we saw yesterday. There are no classified climbs in the final 100 kilometres although there are some significant hills and the final 500 metres rises at a rate of about 3%. I expect a fairly weak break will go early and the sprinters teams will take control of the chase fairly early on. Such is the nature of the stage at this years Tour de France that I am not convinced that all the sprinters will get to the line.
VERDICT
He was frustrated in finishing 2nd yesterday, but the slightly rising finish should suit Wout Van Aert and I fancy him to get the job done.
By the way if you followed Van Aert yesterday don’t forget to claim your stake back in the form of Free Bets.
Suggested Bet: Van Aert win at 9/1
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
