After the calamity of the cobbles comes the first veritable GC day as the Tour De France enters into the Alps as the main General Classification contenders look set to battle it out in earnest on Stage 10.
The next few days contain daunting challenges that race favourite Chris Froome will look to attack, in an aim to establish a lead which he can defend for the duration.
Whether that will start tomorrow with an attempt at the stage win is questionable, with so many riders eager to attack and get in the shake up for the King of the Mountains Jersey.
We feel Sky will keep their powder dry for the two brutal mountain top stages that follow and equally the other teams do not have an incentive to stop a breakaway provided there are no threats within the would-be stage hunters.
In this scenario we look to Thomas De Gendt to land the stage given he is a renowned climber who has proved his capability for long distance attacks in the past. Indeed he won the climb to Mont Ventoux in 2016 and has purposely plummeted down the standings in the first week to give himself some rope for one of his customary assaults.
Another rider who will be eager to get in the early break is Daniel Navarro who has also eliminated his threat to the GC with some tardy finishes. He chased De Gendt on Ventoux and may chase him again today.
It sets it up for a classic captivating day with a primary stage win battle up the road while Sky and Movistar go head to head behind as the Tour looks set to explode in the Alps.
Recommendation: Thomas De Gendt to win Stage 10, 1pt win, 14/1 Unibet
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