Geraint Thomas: Andorra will be the decisive day in the first mountain weekend
Geraint Thomas thinks that stage nine into Andorra will be decisive and could be pivotal for the overall classification at the 2016 Tour de France
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rWRfGzkmWH5X3EC6xiU3HF-415-80.jpg)
Team Sky's Geraint Thomas says that the decisive day in the next three Pyrenean stages of the Tour de France will be stage nine to Andorra.
The race travels over the Col d'Aspin to Lac de Payolle on stage seven, covers the classic Pyrenean stage to Bagnères-de-Luncheon on stage eight and then on stage nine, snakes its way from Spain to Arcalis in Andorra.
Last year on the race's first high-mountain stage to La Pierre-Saint-Martin, Chris Froome (Team Sky) took significant gains on his rivals.
Behind Froome, his then teammate Richie Porte (BMC Racing) finished at one minute with Nairo Quintana (Movistar). The rest of the peloton came home minutes later.
"No, I don't think so," Thomas explained that the first mountain stage will not be like last year's. "It's predominately flat all day, then a little third category and the Aspin. It's a tough climb, but not too selective.”
Preview: The Tour de France in the Pyrénées
Instead, Thomas said that the stage could suit an escape and that followers could see a selection from the favourites group, but not an all-out classification battle. That day will come on stage eight, and for sure on stage nine, said Thomas.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Each day progressively gets tougher, the selection will get less and less. For sure, we could see gaps in the Andorra stage. A guy winning on his own and a real indication of who's going to be fighting for the GC overall then," Thomas said.
"We previewed the Andorra stage, the last three climbs, when we came back from the Tenerife training camp [in May]. Those three climbs are tough. The last one on its own isn't super hard, but after the day, and the last week, it will be. I'm sure there be a selection."
>>> Tour de France 2016 route and essential guide
The stage in Andorra climbs the Col de Beixalis and finishes with a 10.1-kilometre climb to Arcalis
Thomas said that he appreciates a slow build up toward the stage in Andorra, especially after his crash on day one.
"For me, it helps a bit because I'm still feeling my ribs a bit. I'm getting better every day,” he continued.
“For Froomey, what ever is good for him. If it is hard like last year, it'd be nice for him to take time. Like I said, every day is getting tougher."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
A Stars and Stripes jersey and cold hard cash: the 2024 Gravel National Championships to offer a $40,000 prize purse for elite races
The US Gravel National Championships will return to Gering, Nebraska, on September 8
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ill Geraint Thomas battling to remain in Tour de France
The 2018 Tour de France winner is showing mild symptoms of Covid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'It was damage limitation': Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley react to losing time on Tour de France stage two
"There’s going to be minutes in three weeks. 21 seconds doesn't mean anything," says Tom Pidcock after first blows dealt from the favourites in Bologna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Geraint Thomas not picked by GB during his final Olympic cycle
Double gold medallist misses out on spot in five-man road team
By Adam Becket Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published