On this 2020 Tour definitely not like the others, things are not dragging on. From the second day of the race, a scarecrow already stands on the road: the Col de Turini, a summit of the Monte Carlo rally. This is the first time since 1973 that the roller snake has taken its hairpin turns and has only been there three times in all. In 1948 and 1950, two tricolor monuments came out on top: Jean Robic and Louison Bobet. Who’s next this time? This is not so much the question of the day.
The Turini is difficult to climb but also and especially to descend. “No one will win the Tour at the end of this stage,” warns Richard Virenque, the seven-time best climber of the event and consultant for Europe 1. But I am giving you my ticket that some will already lose it. We often forget it, but in the mountains, being a good climber is not enough. The secret to success is also in the descent. In this dangerous game, the favorites are not all equal.
A stage cut out for Alaphilippe?
“Primoz Roglic, who is said to be the big favorite, even if he has a sense of the trajectories often falls,” analyzes Virenque. He is often hit by bad luck even if he is talented. He has a certain aptitude for going on the ground. “As on the Dauphiné two weeks ago:” Without this fall, he would have won. She can play on her mind during the descent ”, notes Virenque who does not forget that the road could be slippery:“ If this is the case, the runners in the Turini will have the impression of riding a bicycle. on an ice rink. We’ll be on eggshells on the descent. Me, I went down quickly and I had fun. I thought : if it’s wet, I’ll put the others away … Fortunately, runners like that still exist. “
Panache runners also like Thibaut Pinot: “At the start of his career, he had some downhill problems but he made great progress. Romain Bardet is also a good descender. The Turini is really a special pass, the race will be so unbridled, I know the intentions of some: I promise you that it will move. “The former darling of the public thinks of a rider who looks like him: Julian Alaphilippe to whom this kind of stage fits like a glove:” He can win it and take the jersey. It’s a step for him. Afterwards, who knows what will happen. With the Covid, no one knows what will happen. The circumstances were not favorable to him last year but it can be reversed this year. “
