agonist/antigonist

 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 ...

The miniature LBL stage Stage 4 profile from procyclingstats.com   There are many riders with the capabilities of winning today, but things are complicated by Vollering already being in the yellow jersey, meaning SD Worx will be working to boss this stage. Given that, it's looking to be a big GC day already.  Contenders I'll be going more-or-less based on the results from this year's LBL results. GRACE BROWN -- A winner of LBL in the spring, a flat in the TT may have cost her the win. The Olympic TT champion, she's clearly on great form. Down 23 seconds on GC, she might get some freedom, but can also win from the sprint. DEMI VOLLERING -- Twice an LBL champion, was third in this year's edition after getting outsprinted at the line. I'll look for her to go solo over the final unclassified climb to get the bonus seconds and the win. Futhermore, she should get a massive leadout from Wiebes to go over the top and ride the rest of the contenders off the wheel. CANYON...

 Second verse, same as the first Stage 2a profile from procyclingstats.com  Short, flat, and non-technical, it's going to be another sprint Contenders CHARLOTTE KOOL -- Now two wins in the last five days of racing, the confidence will be high and rightfully so. It could be just what is needed to get past Wiebes in a head-to-head sprint for the first time this season. LORENA WIEBSE --  A mechanical ruined an opportunity to sprint in the stage 1 finale, it's hugely unlikely lightening strikes today as well, so she's still the favorite in my estimation. ELISA BALSAMO -- Came on late to take third in the stage 1 sprint; with a better leadout, a win is possible, the form is clearly there post-Olympics MARIANNE VOS -- Should be challenging for the top 3 again Prediction Kool by half a wheel ahead of Wiebes -- confidence is everything Stage 2b profile    "Stage 3" is a short and flat TT in the afternoon. It's one for the specialists and sprinters. To be honest, the m...

 Pan flat, with the most ridiculous QOM/KOM I've ever seen. Stage 1 profile    Always a possibility of crashes with the opening-stage-of-a-grand-tour nerves, but should otherwise be a straightforward sprint stage. Contenders LORENA WIEBES -- The best sprinter this season, and had a good race in Paris last week, so the form is still there.  CHARLOTTE KOOL -- Consistently the second-best sprinter this season, and broke the winless streak last month, so confidence should be high. But, she still has yet to get the best of Wiebes this year. MARIANNE VOS -- Second in the Olympic road race and has gotten the better  of Wiebes in a sprint this year (okay, maybe Amstel doesn't count!). Sprinting well this year, it could happen on home roads (okay, the first three contenders are all on home roads!). ELISA BALSAMO -- Recovered from the Olympics? We'll see! Prediction Wiebes!  

With an extra stage and a new spot on the calendar due to the Paris Olympics, it's time for the Tour de France Femmes.  This year's route features eight stages over seven days, starts in the Netherlands, and finishes atop the Alpe d'Huez (sorry; once again no celebratory final stage). The route is very balanced: two stages for the sprinters, one time trial for the specialists, three hilly stages for the punchuers, and two high mountain stages for the climbers. The change in date off the men's tour is also of interest; I've no doubt the opening stages in the Netherlands will have massive crowds, but how will the French attendance look post-Olympics and the men's tour? If the crowds are large, it bodes very well for the race as it expands in length next year. Stages As usual, all stage profiles are taken from procyclingstats.com Stage 1 profile   Flat! It's a bit outrageous the organizers squeezed a category 4 climb in there, but I guess the sponsors want some...