Naturally, after five stages the race goes on different direction than it was predicted before the start. Also, I had to draw ChatGPT’s “attention” to the fact, that Jasper Philipsen crashed out, otherwise he would have geen predicted as winner of multiple stages. The result, the AI started paying too much attention to this fact. That’s why it keeps referring to it a bit oddly.
Soo, here are the predictions:
Stage 6: Bayeux → Vire Normandie (201 km – Hilly to uphill finish)
Key changes: With Philipsen and his lead-out gone, Kaden Groves assumes Alpecin-Deceuninck’s sprint hope, but this stage favors punchier riders.
Expect a powerful breakaway to form early and possibly survive late.
Predicted stage stars: Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Pidcock, Oscar Onley. They can handle the rolling terrain and explosive kicker to the line.
Kaden Groves might be in the reduced peloton sprint, but fatigue after assuming extra team duties could hold him back.
Pick: Van der Poel takes it with a late punch, or a strong break sneaks through.
Stage 7: Saint‑Malo → Mûr‑de‑Bretagne (197 km – Dual puncheur finale)
Still a puncheur classic.
Keys: final climbs, energy reserves, and desire for bonus seconds.
Keep an eye on Van der Poel, Pidcock, Onley, and Kévin Vauquelin—all have shown solid form.
GC riders like Pogacar or Almeida may mark moves but likely won’t go all-in too early.
Pick: Mathieu van der Poel powers away on the second ascent for the win.
Stage 8: Saint‑Méen‑le‑Grand → Laval (174 km – Slight uphill on finish)
Transitioning back toward sprint dynamics, but still uphill-heavy.
Without Philipsen, Kaden Groves is lead sprinter—he fits a rise finish better than flat sprinters.
Wout van Aert is a major wild card: powerful, versatile, and fresh.
Expect a controlled peloton trading breakaways with a late bunch dash.
Pick: Wout van Aert wins if he’s protected well; otherwise, Groves fights for second.
Stage 9: Chinon → Châteauroux (170 km – Pure flat sprint day)
A dead-flat sprinter’s day, ideal for aerodynamic, fast finishes.
Now Alpecin’s main sprinter, Kaden Groves likely targets this one hard.
Other contenders: team switch-ups could produce fresh sprinters—Jonas Milan, Tim Merlier might animate.
Crosswinds? Always a wildcard—but terrain suggests a traditional bunch gallop.
Pick: Kaden Groves claims Alpecin’s first stage.
Stage 10: Ennezat → Mont‑Dore (Puy de Sancy Summit)
The critical GC test—the first real climb with a summit finish. Over 4,000 m in total ascent.
This is showdown time: Pogacar will launch early; Evenepoel must match to stay in yellow mix; Vingegaard and Almeida could test legs.
Workload increased for Alpecin and UAE: Groves will help lead out but then disappear—teams shift focus to GC.
Impact: big time gaps expected
Pick: Pogacar wins with a late surge; Evenepoel limits losses to under 45 s; Almeida or Skjelmose round out the podium.