Seven stages that could decide the 2017 Tour de France

Chris Froome will be happy with the revealed route of the 2017 Tour de France, although the fewer mountains on offer could bring a few other contenders into the mix

The peloton on the Col d'Izoard (Sunada)

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Stage five: Vittel - La Planche des Belles Filles

While stage three could see a rider like Chris Froome or Alejandro Valverde move into the yellow jersey, with an Ardennes-esque finish in Longwy, it will be stage five where the first mountain test comes.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.