agonist/antigonist

 It looks like Cyclingmole  is doing stage-by-stage previews for this race, so I'll just content myself with an overall preview. It's the first stage race of the season and, being the middle of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, those from the South will surely have a massive advantage. Historically, only three GC champions have come from the North, and well over half of all stages have been taken by Southern riders; I don't see that changing this year, although more and more teams are having winter training camps in better climes (such as Spain), but it's hard to replace full-time training in nice weather with a few weeks at altitude, then a return to cold and dark further North. Here are the stages...all profiles from procyclingstats.com, as usual. Stage 1 profile The first stage is lumpy, but will likely end in a sprint...I don't see a break that gets away in the first half of the stage staying there. Stage 2 profile Classic queen stage with two climbs up Willung...

Only rainbows after rain?...we'll see about that. Profile from procyclingstats.com Long...I would expect the winner's finishing time to be north of six hours. With over 4000m of climbing, the race will be hugely selective as well, but there are several nations capable of bossing the race. No rain in the forecast, but it will still be cold. Only one of the best Ardennes classics riders or the fittest GC climbers have a shot. While none of the climbs are long or particularly punchy, there are so many they will gradually strain the peloton until ~15 riders are left in the front group going into the final circuit of town. Contenders TADEJ POGACAR -- Looking to become the third man to pull rainbows over yellow over pink, and he has the form to do it following a masterclass in Montreal, which came after mucking up the finale in Quebec. He's a class apart right now, especially on these parcours, and he can go it alone without needing help from someone like van der Poel to get and ...

 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 ...

 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...