Tour de France stage ten preview: Resurgent Cav can extend his lead

Free cycling tips, best bets and analysis for stage ten of the 2021 Tour de France.

Where to watch

ITV4 & Eurosport 1, 1pm Tuesday

Best bet

Mark Cavendish to win stage ten
1pt 5-4 bet365, Paddy Power

Stage ten preview

After a rest day in Tignes on Monday, the Tour de France resumes on Tuesday with a flat stage from Albertville to Valence.

The 190.7km route features just one category-four climb and is a reward for those sprinters who battled through a monstrous weekend in the Alps.

It was all about the general classification on Saturday and Sunday but the points prize takes over here and Mark Cavendish is the favourite to extend his lead.

The Manx Missile holds a 38-point advantage over Michael Matthews in the battle for the green jersey and after a spell in the doldrums, has shot back to stardom following the pre-race withdrawal of Deceuninck–Quick-Step teammate Sam Bennett.

Cavendish's stage four win into Fougeres was his first Tour success since 2016 and he proved it was no fluke by doubling up 48 hours later in Chateauroux.

The 36-year-old's new-found confidence has been refreshing and while most of the peloton will be bracing themselves for not one, but two ascents of the "Giant of Provence", Mont Ventoux, on Wednesday, Cav will already be eyeing the race's return to the flat on Thursday and Friday.

Valence is popularly known as the place where the south of France begins and with the Tour heading towards the Mediterranean, there could be some anxiety in the peloton if the infamous Mistral threatens to break things up.

That said, the big teams should have the firepower to keep things together and with another sprint likely, Cavendish will be the man to beat.

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