The stage is relatively short at 121 kilometres. The first of the two climbs is 17 kilometres from the finish while the second is just 5.5 kilometres out. The latter is the Côte de Boufflers, a 1.3 kilometre drag at almost 8%.
The Giant-Shimano team will look to control the race, but at that gradient it may be difficult. One man who will look to take advantage is Peter Sagan, who is powerful on short climbs and probably the fastest non-sprinter in the peloton.
If Cannondale are winding things up for Sagan, it’s possible Giant could turn to Degenkolb instead of Kittel. The former is a better climber while still capable of beating Sagan in a sprint. That said, he seems to have an injury since the ‘Roubaix’-stage.
Don’t rule out Greipel either, he will certainly fancy his chances over Kittel on the hills.
Favourites:
Peter Sagan
John Degenkolb
Andre Greipel
Tour de France 2014 Stage 7: Images and more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Riders and teams - Tour de France 2014 Favourites - Tour de France 2014 Withdrawals - Tour de France 2014 Favourites - Tour de France 2014 Route - Tour de France 2014 More articles Vuelta 2025: The Route
Vuelta 2025: Riders
Vuelta 2025 Route stage 1: Turin – Novara
Vuelta 2025 Route stage 2: Alba - Limone Piemonte
Vuelta 2025 Route stage 3: San Maurizio Canavese - Ceres
Vuelta a España: Winners and records
Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025: Riders
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 4: Amiens - Rouen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 5: Caen - Caen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 7: Saint-Malo - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Laval
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 9: Chinon - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 10: Ennezat - Le Mont-Dore
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 11: Toulouse - Toulouse
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 12: Auch - Hautacam
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 13: Loudenvielle - Peyragudes
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 15: Muret - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 16: Montpellier - Mont Ventoux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 18: Vif - Col de la Loze
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 19: Albertville - La Plagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 20: Nantua - Pontarlier
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville - Paris
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères
Giro 2025: The Route Rumours
Giro 2025: Riders
Tour de France Femmes 2025: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 1: Vannes - Plumelec
Tour Down Under 2025: The Route