2024 Tour de France Femmes Stage 4 Preview

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//SRAM -- Lots of choices among Chabbey, Niewiadoma, Bradbury, and Dygert. Niewiadoma is probably the best bet, she should get freedom with Bradbury being the protected rider. 

MARIANNE VOS -- Led home the second group in LBL this year, the sprint is good right now if she can stay in the lead group over the final climb. Given the strength of SD Worx, I'm not sure that will happen in this race.

JULIETTE LABOUS -- Also in the second group at LBL this year, she'll look to stay as close to Vollering as possible. But, I don't see her going over the top in a one-up sprint with anyone listed above despite how good the TT was today.

RIEJANNE MARKUS -- Also in the second group at LBL this year; see the previous entry.

Prediction

I think this stage will have been a target for a while -- run it back with Vollering for another win.

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