Two big races finished in Sisteron in recent years. On both occasions the line was not situated atop the steep climb of the citadel overlooking the town on the banks of the River Durance. No, the red carpet was rolled out for the fast men.
In the 2018 edition of Paris-Nice the sprinters didn’t grab the opportunity. Instead, they let it slip away and breakaway boy Jérôme Cousin said thank you. Three years before that, the 4th stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné did boil down to the expected sprint finish with Nacer Bouhanni taking the spoils.
Miscalculating sprint teams, in the Tour de France it hardly happens and we should not expect it to happen in Sisteron. After all, the number of chances for fast finishers is limited this year. So you should seize every opportunity when you are a sprinter.
Winning three stages, Caleb Ewan was the most successful sprinter on last year’s Tour de France. Sam Bennett was not allowed to start by his then team Bora-hansgrohe.
Alexander Kristoff was the fastest finisher in the rain-soaked 1st stage of the current edition. The Norwegian outgunned Mads Pedersen and Cees Bol.
Favourites 3rd stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett
** Peter Sagan, Alexander Kristoff, Elia Viviani
* Cees Bol, Niccolò Bonifazio, Bryan Coquard, Giacomo Nizzolo
Take a look at the route of the 3rd stage on the Tour de France.