Tour de France – DS Insights

STAGE 4 – 8 JULY – Amiens Métropole → Rouen | 174.2 km

STAGE OVERVIEW

Distance: 174.2 km
Start: Amiens Métropole
Finish: Rouen
Elevation Gain:  2,050 m
Terrain: Rolling early terrain with a punchy finale — five short climbs in the last 50 km

�� KOM CLIMBS (Final 50 km)

• Côte Jacques Anquetil – Cat 4
• Côte de Belbeuf – Cat 3
• Côte de Bonsecours – Cat 4
• Côte de la Grand’Mare – Cat 4
• Rampe Saint-Hilaire – Cat 3 (800 m @ 10.6%, 5 km from finish)

INTERMEDIATE SPRINT

Location: Saint‑Adrien (~143 km)

Bonus seconds at finish: 10–6–4 seconds for top 3

DS INSIGHTS

• Expect aggressive racing in the final 50 km: punchy climbs and technical descents set up for late attacks from puncheurs.
• Crosswinds early on (from northwest) may disrupt the peloton—positioning crucial.
• GC riders and classics-savvy puncheurs like Pogacar, Vingegaard, and van der Poel could feature – but a small lead group sprint is more likely than solo glory.
• Alpecin’s strength and van der Poel’s punchy form make him a key name to watch.

FACT FILE

• Megaphone-shaped finale: short climb → fast descent → uphill drag to finish in Rouen.
• Last visited Rouen in 2012; Greipel won on a pure sprint—this time demands punch and power.

LIKELY CONTENDERS

• Mathieu van der Poel – thrives on punchy uphill kicks
• Tadej Pogačar – GC boss with late stage power
• Jonas Vingegaard – steady and tactical on hilly finales
• Wout van Aert – powerful on short climbs & descents
• Julian Alaphilippe – explosive on ramps
• Mads Pedersen – strong and fast on hilly finishes
• Timo Roosen – tough one-day rider
• Brandon McNulty – solid uphill punch

JERSEY COMPETITIONS (After Stage 3)

�� TEAM CLASSIFICATION (Top 3)