Event of the Day: Stage 20 of the Tour de France
Our event of the day is Stage 20 of the Tour de France. The second last stage of the Tour takes cyclists through up and down hilly terrain from Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle to Espelette. Measuring only 31 kilometres in distance this time trial should be very exciting. However, it is not your typical time trial where the chrono specialists would ideally have the advantage. Due to the steep climbs and technical descents this stage will no doubt favour a well-rounded rider who is strong on the incline.
This stage has the potential to decide who will be standing atop the final podium on Sunday. The biggest incline of the day is Côte de Pinodiet beginning at kilometre 26.5 and lasting 900 metres long at an average incline of 10.2%. At it’s steepest, this climb reaches a gradient of 21% testing the riders as they enter the final few kilometres of the stage. Once at the top, the cyclists have a 3km stretch which is nearly all downhill aside from the last 500m at a rise of 3%. After another good showing finishing second in Stage 19, Geraint Thomas looks to be in position to claim the yellow jersey. He now sits over two minutes ahead of Tom Dumoulin heading into today’s stage. As the Tour de France enters it’s final stages the race is on for those jostling to claim a podium position on Sunday.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Super Rugby semi-final matchup at AMI Stadium in Christchurch where the Crusaders host the Hurricanes. These two teams last met in the final four in 2008 with the Crusaders claiming victory. In fact, when playing at home in a semi-final match the Crusaders have never lost. The Hurricanes will look to end that streak today! Elsewhere in Super Rugby, the Lions face off against the Waratahs in the other semi-final matchup of the day. In National Rugby League, round 20 matchups take place between the Sea Eagles and Panthers; Rabbitohs and Eels; and Storm and Raiders. In AFL, Richmond dual with Collingwood at Melbourne Cricket Ground. In tennis, the ATP German Open continues with it’s 6th day of matches at Am Rothenbaum in Hamburg. In Russia, the WTA Moscow River Cup enters its 6th day of tennis action on the clay courts at the National Tennis Centre in Moscow. In cricket, Durham host Nottinghamshire in a North Group Natwest T20 Blast match at the Riverside Ground. In golf, the RBC Canadian Open enters the third round of play at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. On the European Tour, the Porsche European Open carries on at Green Eagle Golf Course in picturesque Winsen, Germany. The final day of flat racing is on at Royal Ascot as the 2018 King George Weekend concludes. In the MLB, the Milwaukee Brewers continue their series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in Atlanta to take on the Braves at SunTrust Park. In Major League Soccer, a matchup between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo will be taking place at Providence Park. The New York Red Bulls welcome Columbus Crew to the Big Apple as they host them at the Red Bull Arena.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Tour de France