Our predictions for stage 13, where the focus will likely shift to the sprinters after a tough slog through the Alps.

Date: Friday July 15 Start: Bourg d’Oisans Finish: Saint-Etienne Distance: 193 km

The Alps done with, the peloton will now be relieved to open the road book and finally see a flatter profile.

Today is a 193 km run from Bourg d’Oisans to Saint-Etienne with two second-category and one third-category climb littered throughout the day. There’s a gradual rise up to the finale and the finish line is ever so slightly uphill. 

After days of suffering in the mountains, this will likely be a day for the sprinters, a reward for their work on gradients not suited to their talents. Fabio Jakobsen’s Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team will be determined to make it all the way to the line after surviving the French Alps, and the same goes for Dylan Groenewegen, both sprinters already stage winners at this Tour.

However, the lumpy terrain doesn’t look very welcoming for the Dutch pair, and there will likely be some teams motivated to ramp the pace up over the climbs to drop the purer sprinters, either dispensing with them for good or forcing a leg-sapping chase. Caleb Ewan and Jasper Philipsen could prosper here, as could Wout van Aert, of course, with key green jersey points up for grabs.