Stage 16 of the 2015 Tour de France runs 201kms from Bourg-de-Peage to Gap and favors those willing to take risks on a big descent.
The intermediate sprint occurs at 86.5kms in Die, right before the two big climbs of the day. The sprinters will be keen to contest this as they will probably be no one near the front of the pack at the finish with two cat-2 climbs on deck.
• Km 130.0 – Col de Cabre (1 180 m)9.1 kilometre-long climb at 4.6% – category 2
• Km 189.0 – Col de Manse (1 268 m)8.9 kilometre-long climb at 5.6% – category 2
This is also the last transition day before the Alps. The riders luckily will have a rest day tomorrow to recover a little, so the day’s break riders may try extra hard to take risks and get victory, especially if they’re from a team that has yet to taste success. The GC men will be keen to prevent time loss, however, so on the final descent, it is possible for someone to sneak away. Everyone should be careful though, as on these roads, Tours have been lost (Andy Schleck) and careers have ended (Joseba Beloki). It is very technical and not to be taken lightly!