Tour De France Stage 17 betting tips, predictions, odds and free bets (Bagneres-de-Luchon > Saint-Lary-Soulan) - July 25, 2018)

Tour De France Stage 17 (Bagnere-de-Luchon - Col de Portet Saint-Lary-Soulan) is only 65 kilometres long but it will be one of the most exciting stages to witness in this year's edition. Find below our Tour De France Stage 17 betting preview, best odds, expert tips on Stage Winner & Head to Head, bookie promotions & no deposit free bets for all cycling punters!

 

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 17 BETTING PREVIEW 

The 17th stage of the 2018 Tour de France will take the peloton on an unusually short 65km route. Anyway, 38km of the total 65km will see the riders climbing with the remaining 27km comprised almost completely of descents.

It begins in Bagnères-de-Luchon and the first peak is crested at kilometre 15, the Col de Pereysourde (13.7 kilometres at 6.9%). After a a 10km descent into Loudenvielle, there is the climb of the Col de Val Louron-Azet (7.4 kilometers at 8.3%) and a descent into Saint-Lary-Soulan.

The finish will be brand new, the Col du Portet, with a climb of 16 kilometres at an average gradient of 8.7%. Besides the climb's steepness, the peloton will have to contest with the altitude of the Col de Portet with the summit coming at 2,215m above sea level.

For the first time ever, riders will be set off in a grid system, with those at the top of the General Classification setting off first. The groups of 20 riders will be sent off with a small gap between each.

The grid style start will see the general classification contenders isolated from their domestiques in the opening kilometres, meaning that if anyone attacks from the gun then it will be up to their direct rivals, rather than their rivals’ team-mates, to chase them down.

The shortest stage in last year’s Tour went to Foix and was a sensational ride. The race offered fireworks from start to finish before Warren Barguil outsprinted Nairo Quintana, Albert Contador and Mikel Landa on the line.



Who can win this stage?

After two winning breakaways in the last two days, we expect GC conteders to set the page and compete also for the stage win.

Chris Froome will definitely be hunting down the Yellow jersey once again. The explosive style of this stage perfectly suits the Brit. Anyway, his team-mate Geraint Thomas currently wears the yellow Jersey and Sky's team strategy is unclear. Probably, the Welshman has form and legs to have the the better of Froome also in a stage like this.

Tom Dumoulin is Sky's duo enemy number 1. He can be one of the first attackers or try to isolate Froome and Thomas before try to get away on the final climb.

Next up, Primoz Roglic. The Slovenian is becoming a great rider for Grand Tours. He has no fear and should be in the mix on the final ascent.

We expect team Movistar immediately take the stage by storm, with their three riders in the top 20 - Mikel Landa, Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, attacking from the get go, forcing Sky to either leave domestiques behind or be start the stage on the back foot.

Romain Bardet might attack and he will be let up the road as he will be no threat to the yellow jersey. The same applies with Dan Martin, Ilnur Zakarin, Jakob Fuglsang and Mikel Landa, all known extremely well for his climbing capabilities.

Dark horses?

Rafal Majka and Steven Kruijswijk always get stronger as Grand Tours go on and we can't rule them out. Adam Yates were extremely unlucky on Tuesday, as only a crash on the final descent prevented him to win the stage 16. He will be surely tired but we give him a little chance here.

In case of another winning breakaway, the likes of Mikel Nieve, Warren Barguil, Julian Alaphilippe, Daniel Martinez, Omar Fraile, Marc Soler and Daniel Navarro look the best candidates.

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 17 ODDS

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 17 PREDICTIONS

• Winner
  Geraint Thomas5.50Bet
• Winner
  Tom Dumoulin13.00Bet
• Winner
  Steven Kruijswijk21.00Bet
• Winner
  Mikel Nieve23.00Bet
• Head To Head
  Majka to beat Yates 1.83Bet
• Head To Head
  Daniel Martin to beat Bernal   1.52Bet
• Head To Head
  Nieve to beat Kangert 1.40Bet

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