Steven Kruijswijk expects a battle between the classification men on the closing Col du Granon on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the riders will also face the Galibier in the eleventh stage of the Tour de France.
“That last climb is a climb where riders who are good can make the difference themselves. That is something to look forward to,” said the 35-year-old Jumbo-Visma rider. NOS ahead of the grueling ride in the Alps.
“We also did that mountain a few weeks ago during a reconnaissance and then it also felt ‘black'”, de Brabander referred to the black strips in the stage profile, which represent steep parts.
“We can expect a day like today, with high temperatures. Then you start with such heat in the valley and that climb is in the sun. The altitude of 2,400 meters will also play a role. see something beautiful.”
Kruijswijk had expected that Kämna would take yellow
Kruijswijk had expected that Tadej Pogacar would hand over his yellow jersey to the German Lennard Kämna after the tenth stage, but the Slovenian had eleven seconds left on the line in Megève.
“I expected that he would take the yellow card. I thought they gave him space, especially in the end his teammates started off. Then the peloton goes quickly and we take time back.”
Kruijswijk, the only Dutchman in the Tour team of Jumbo-Visma, mainly drives in France in the service of leaders Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard. The latter is in the best position, 39 seconds behind Pogacar. The eleventh stage of the Tour de France starts on Wednesday at 12.15 pm.