Tour De France Stage 7 predictions, betting tips, odds and free bets (July 8, 2016)

Friday, 08 July 2016 09:34
Written by David Bet

Stage 7 starts in L’Isle-Jourdain and ends 162kms later in Lac De Payolle. IT is the easiest of the three days in the Pyrenees, however, it contains a very tricky final 30 kilometres and we expect fireworks from the GC contenders. Check out here our Tour De France STAGE 7 betting preview including best odds, expert predictions on Winner and Head to Head, bookie bonuses & no deposit free bets on the Tour De France!

Join ComeOn UK and get a £5 no deposit free bet!

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 7 BETTING PREVIEW

Stage 7 brings the 2016 Tour de France into the Pyrenees, and features the first Category 1 climb of the Tour - the Col d’Aspin. It averages 6.5% over 12km but it can be split into two. The first 4km are relatively easy but then the gradient gets tougher and in the final 5km, it stays above 7.5% for most of the time. The finish doesn’t come at the top but with just 5.8km of descending and a short slightly uphill section to the finish, it is almost like a mountaintop finish. Rain is forecasted for the finale and this will add an extra level of complexity.

This is a finish that perfectly suits both Alejandro Valverde and Daniel Martin who are both solid descenders and should be able to climb the Col d'Aspin with the front riders. Dan Martin is climbing better than ever and he wasn’t far off the best at the Dauphiné. Alejandro Valverde has the explosiveness to challenge the Irishman on the climb and he is a faster sprinter for the stage win. In this kind of sprint, only Julian Alaphilippe can realistically beat him but we doubt that the Frenchman will be able survive.

Giro d'Italia hero Vincenzo Nibali is another phenomenon on descents but if his form in the Massif Central is to be believed, then he doesn't stand a chance of holding on to the leaders long enough to be able to utilise his famous descending skills on the run-in to the finish.

Romain Bardet is one of the best climbers in the peloton, and his descending capabilities are impressive. If he is prepared to attack in the last kilometre of the climb, he will be hard to catch.

Chris Froome traditionally attacks on the 1st mountain stage so a little stake on the Brit to win the stage could be worth it. A wet descent may prompt him to ride a bit more conservative as may the headwind but we will be surprised if Sky don’t take it on right from the bottom of the climb.

Nairo Quintana will probably opt for caution as he usually does on the first mountain stages. He will move only to try to follow Froome’s attacks. More action could expected from Joaquim Rodriguez, one of those riders who always attack in this kind of stages.

Richie Porte, Tejay Van Garderen, Thibaut Pinot, Warren Barguil and a handful of other riders could to be present alongside those mentioned above.

Ilnur Zakarin crashed in the Giro when he was well placed and the Russian has already lost a lot of time. If he gets in the break he will be dangerous.

Fabio Aru will climb with the best riders but we don't expect him to be a probable contender for the stage win.

Alberto Contador is likely to struggle as he has already crashed twice in this Tour while Tom Dumoulin is mainly here to prepare for the Olympics and his form is not at the peak.

Rui Costa has won a couple of stages in the recent editions of the Tour De France and he has always been a master in winning from breakaways. Last year Ruben Plaza won stages at both the Tour and the Vuelta and he is free to take his chances here.

Dark horses?

Luis Leon Sanchez, Pierre Rolland, Adam Yates, Rafal Majka and Wilco Kelderman could be in the mix in the final kilometers.