The peloton pedal 200.7km between Libourne and Limoges on Saturday on a lumpy day that could produce some late fireworks.
Saturday’s stage eight is the second longest of the entire Tour and is one of those niggly days that some riders will use as an afternoon off where they can conserve energy for tougher tests to come.
Another sprint could beckon, but with little flat riding before the first categorised climb, a category three around 130km into the parcours, it might be heavy going before two category fours punctuate the final 20km.
Those could act as a launchpad for a late breakaway, while those ascents may also prevent the true sprinters from contesting the dash to the line.
Of those thoroughbreds, Jasper Philipsen has dominated so far at the 2023 Tour, winning three sprints from three, most recently on Friday when he was again guided to the line by Alpecin-Deceuninck colleague Mathieu van der Poel.
The Belgian has looked the best climber of the fast men in this year’s race but might struggle with a touch of fatigue and that could open the door for Van der Poel or Jumbo-Visma’s Wout van Aert.
Both are well-versed in launching late attacks, while they can more than hold their own against the second-tier sprinters.
Tour de France Stage 8 Betting Tips
Mathieu van der Poel @ 11/2
The Dutchman has been brilliant in guiding Jasper Philipsen to three victories in the opening week, with his strength and speed making him the lead-out man to watch in the final.
However, with those late punchy climbs possessing the potential to split the group, his role as Philipsen’s key lieutenant could be outsourced elsewhere within Alpecin-Deceuninck, allowing Van der Poel handed his own shot at glory.
The 28-year-old has shown in leading his colleague out that he has speed on his side when required, while he is also the type of rider who can use late climbs to launch race-winning attacks, making him the ideal candidate for victory.
Always a danger, it could be Van der Poel’s day.
Wout van Aert @ 4/1
If not Van der Poel, then his great rival Van Aert could be the man to capitalise.
Van Aert is all in for Jumbo-Visma leader Jonas Vingegaard’s overall push but he might be allowed some freedom on Saturday and it was noticeable that he was happy to sit at the back of the group and not contest the sprint.
Was he saving himself for Saturday’s run into Limoges? Potentially, and while not amongst the sprinting elite, Van Aert shares Van der Poel’s ability to both attack late on and win against the second-tier speedsters.
Wonderwout should go well in the Haute-Vienne.
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