Stage 3 of the 2015 Tour de France enters Belgium today, running 159.9kms from Anvers (Antwerp) to Huy. This is a “classics-looking” stage if ever there was one. For the Tour’s first time, the finish will occur on the Mur de Huy—the climb synonymous with the classic Fleche Wallone.
The first 65kms are relatively flat, but things heat up for the second half of the stage. At this point, in addition to the intermediate sprint at 128kms in Havelange, there are 4 climbs:
• Km 109.0 – Côte de Bohissau2.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.5% – category 4
• Km 143.0 – Côte d’Ereffe2.1 kilometre-long climb at 5% – category 4
• Km 154.0 – Côte de Cherave1.3 kilometre-long climb at 8.1% – category 4
• Km 159.5 – HUY – Mur de Huy1.3 kilometre-long climb at 9.6% – category 3
So, someone will pull on the KOM jersey for the first time in this year’s Tour.
Who’s going to win? It’s tough to say. I would predict not a traditional sprinter. One name stands out as someone to watch: Movistar’s Valverde. Why? He has won Fleche Wallone on these very roads the last 2 years as well as in 2006. Plus, if he takes the win, he could potentially pull on the yellow jersey—a prize he would love to get his hands on. Plus, he will want to make up time from yesterday, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Cancellara tries to defend yellow.