agonist/antigonist

 The big dance...this year it's a waltz on the Zürichsee. Profile from procyclingstats.com Long-ish, but not the marathon grind (270+ km) that is the men's race. However, the length with the circuit climb will make it selective -- only one of top five riders in the peloton will win on the day. The startlist is absolute quality, there's at least ten riders with a legitimate shot at winning...it should be a smashing race. Finishing circuit Circuit climb It looks like the finishing circuit plus the embedded climb is tackled four times on the day...there's also a 0.7 km longer kicker at 8.4% on each lap. To be honest, the winning move could be launched there with a follow-up on the ultimate climb. The climb is short and shallow enough that a classics rider could very well take the win, but, with the amount of total vertical, all the sprinters should have folded by the final ascent of the circuit climb. IBut, with ~20 km of downhill/flat after the final climb, the winner wil

 Worlds is nigh. Profile from procyclingstats.com Fairly long with some lumps, bumps, and cobbles in the middle. I see two scenarios playing out, either 1) a strong break of ~10 riders gets away somewhere with 80 to 60 km to go and stays away or 2) a team with depth and strength (I'm looking at Italy and the Netherlands, especially) bosses things most of the way to set up the finale for their sprinter. Contenders LORENA WIEBES -- No wins in the Tour, comes here looking to change that ahead of Worlds. Has a great team for a bunch sprint finish but can also win from the break, although she won't get any help there. ELISA BALSAMO -- Also a big favorite,  since she can also win from the break or a sprint, but does the Italian team have to many cards to play with Consonni and Guazzini especially in the fold? LIANE LIPPERT -- The finale is likely too flat to compete with the pure sprinters, but her form is great recently, and she can win from a break. DARIA PIKULIK -- Poland brings a

 Queen stage Stage 8 profile from procyclingstats.com   Of a different kind than the previous few stages; only the pure climbers will survive 'til the finish line in the lead group. Plus the Glandon is actually the harder climb, but it is less mythic. I don't think any big moves will be made on the GC before the final climb, given how close the gaps are. But there be a decent break since Ghekiere will surely be looking to sew up the mountains jersey by going over the Glandon first. Profile of the finishing climb The finale is 14 km @ 8%, it will really hurt. There were no big GC moves today due to how selective Alpe d'Huez will be; in a stage like this, it's possible to go out the back with 6 km to go and lose 4+ minutes. Contenders DEMI VOLLERING -- Looks recovered given she was able to drop Niewiadoma to take the last of the bonifications on the line. Right now, barring disaster, I don't see a reason why she shouldn't win this stage and take the leader's

 Into the Alps Stage 7 profile from procyclingstats.com  The hardest stage so far, although the finishing climb is not the hardest even though it is quite long. Will the break stay away? I think not! The lead group at the finish I would think will look similar to today: a mix of the true GC riders and the best puncheurs in the peloton. Like the previous lumpy stages, I expect the racing will be aggressive all day and this stage will end up being selective. None of the climbs are too difficult, but there are a lot of them the whole way. Contenders JULIETTE LABOUS -- Rode aggressively today, I'm sure she would like to take a win here in the French champion's jersey. The form is there, but can she outsprint the rest of the group? PUCK PIETERSE -- Continues to climb brilliantly even though she no longer owns the mountains jersey, but is the mountaintop finish a bit of a reach for now? LIANE LIPPERT -- Seems all the way back after injury, the finish is a good fit plus she is in the

 Finally in France for the hardest of the three lumpy stages   Stage 6 profile from procyclingstats.com The looming question over this stage is how is former race leader Demi Vollering's health following yesterday's crash? The way she chased without teammates was hugely positive, but frequently the day-after crash soreness is worse. Regardless, I think she'll go into this stage angry, which doesn't bode well for the rest of the bunch! Finally, with a bonus sprint and at the threshold of proper mountains, this day will be selective (like the others haven't!) I expect to see a small group containing the heads of state go over the final climb and contest the win amongst themselves at the line. Contenders KASIA NIEWIADOMA -- The new race leader faces a stage that suits her well. Can the yellow jersey give her enough of a boost to secure her second win of the season? CÉDRINE KERBAOL -- The French rider is going well and is now fourth on GC. Another for whom the stage is

 The middle lumpy stage...not as hard as yesterday, but not easy by an means! Stage 5 profile from procyclingstats.com    Is it hard enough to be a GC day? I don't think so. I can see the stage going to a rider that lost time today, but is strong in the classics. Contenders SILVIA PERSICO -- Seemed interested in collecting QOM points; will that continue today? The profile of this stage is also likely a slightly better fit.   MOVISTAR -- It's a good stage for Baril, Norsgaard, and Lippert, all of whom are now down on GC.    ALISON JACKSON -- Down on GC, the profile is a good fit.   LORENA WIEBES -- I'm not sure the profile is hard enough to drop the sprinter...if SD Worx decide to work for her (I don't think they will), look out.   KRISTEN FAULKNER -- Won't get the freedom to chase the win   ELISA BALSAMO -- Another who I think is favored by the slightly easier profile compared to yesterday.   DEMI VOLLERING -- Just because I don't think it will be a GC day doesn