That's it, we're there.
After a first week of racing that the peloton decided not to pack too much, the Tour de France tackles the Pyrenees.
Where are the favorites?
What is their state of form and their claims this weekend and beyond?
Pinot healed his wounds
Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), August 29. / AFP / pool / Thibault Camus
A rainy day and the rest of the week sunny.
After seven days, the Frenchman Thibaut Pinot approaches the Pyrenees with a boosted morale.
The leader of Groupama - FDJ has indeed not lost feathers, despite his fall on the first day in Nice on a promenade des Anglais made slippery by the showers.
The absence of a fight between favorites despite the rugged course served his purposes.
“It's getting better every day,” he invariably slips.
The pain, especially in the back, has disappeared.
David Gaudu, his loyal lieutenant, on whom he relies on the climbs, also feels better, even if he lost ground this Friday in the borders of Lavaur.
For the past two days, the osteopaths on the team have had much less work.
What to hope for a number like in 2019 at the top of the Tourmalet?
"The Tour is a race of attrition," replies his manager Marc Madiot.
You have to manage your capital over three weeks.
The big highlight is the last week, it will be necessary to be strong at that time.
In the Pyrenees, we are going to build up pressure, of course, but it may be above all a race by elimination.
"
Bernal biding his time
Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), September 3./REUTERS/Benoît Tessier
This is one of the questions at the start of the Tour.
Is Egan Bernal at the same level as in 2019?
The Colombian, who won his first Grande Boucle at 22, now seems to be stalling.
His abandonment at the Dauphiné, his back pain, his way, throughout this first week, of gritting his teeth to stay with the favorites at the finishings on the hill do not plead in his favor.
But Thursday, the leader of Ineos Grenadiers, now holder of the best young rider's white jersey, rolled his team into the Col de la Lusette, the big difficulty of the day, just before the climb to Mont Aigoual (Gard).
A sign that he is feeling better?
“It was a very good day, we are always well placed in the general standings, he simply declared on arrival.
The work of my teammates?
There are stages we all need to be in front of and focus on, others where some can rest a little.
Dave Brailsford, his manager, hinted that the key was to be there in week three.
His protege also, ensuring that he would be at 100% of his capacity at that time.
In the meantime, his objective is to accompany Primoz Roglic and Thibaut Pinot on the Pyrenean slopes.
Roglic has the boss size
Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), September 3.
/ AFP / Marco Bertorello
On paper, he's the boss.
He had left some doubt before the departure from Nice about his state of form.
A doubt?
Rather a stroke of bluff, because the Slovenian is there.
Winner at Orcières-Merlette, he is the road captain of an overpowering armada which already has three stages in its hunting table with the two bouquets of Wout Van Aert (in Privas on Wednesday and Lavaur on Friday).
Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), who promised himself five years ago to win the Tour de France in 2020 is in the nails.
“The objective is to be in yellow in Paris,” recounts the former ski jumper at will.
You will have to be focused and do what it takes every day to get there.
Will he try to knock out the race this weekend to take 3 seconds from Yates and put on the jersey?
He is a good climber and an honest descender: he is capable of it.
But Paris is still far away.
Roglic relies mainly on an elimination race.
He will know on Sunday evening who are the opponents who still resist him.
He will want to settle their account in the Alps. ”
Alaphilippe still has pride
Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step), September 3.
/ AFP / Marco Bertorello
He has been eating away at his anger and frustration since Wednesday.
Without the incredible misadventure of the bottle, Julian Alaphilippe would be in yellow at the foot of the Pyrenees.
He would have equaled Thomas Voeckler this Saturday in the list of the most "yellowed" French: 20 days.
A runner of pride and panache, the Auvergnat has been chomping at the bit for three days.
The profile of the next two stages suits him.
He can win one of the two, he will do everything to: "Julian is calm, serene, in shape: he will surprise us in the days to come", promises his teammate Rémi Cavagna.
Strong enough to take back the jersey?
No one will let it take 15 seconds over the competition.