Skoda Tour de Luxembourg - Preview

It might be the last stage race of the season, but gosh, it will be one hell of a race!

Tour of Luxembourg was famous for a long time for it's bad organization and weird choices, but this year, it is a very proper test for the World Championships, and I really love this. Also, the route suits both sprinters, puncheurs and even climbers (yes, we are still talking about Luxembourg), so the next 5 days will be pure indulgence for the cycling fans!

Key stages

Stage 2:

Stage 2 consists more than 3300+ denivele and it is so cool and beyond my comprehension how they managed to do it. Cote de Eschdorf is a real beast though - 3.1 kilometres with 7% steepness, and it contains 1km with 10+% - and riders have to climb it three times. My palms are already sweating, because climbers need to maximize their advantage ahead of stage 4.

Stage 4:

A 25 km long TT around Dudelange. Personally, this time trial is a bit long for me, I am afraid the bests in this discipline will easily bridge 30-35 seconds, this is the stage where real powerhouses will prevail.

Stage 5:

The last ride to Luxembourg City will be anything but easy. I really hope that a gutsy rider who has balls and who isn't that far behind the leader in GC will attack from far, and spice up the race. Sad, that Evenepoel isn't here, he would definitely be a GOAT in such a stage.

Participants:

It is not an exaggeration that this is the best peloton Tour of Luxembourg has ever seen. Seriously, the field is so stacked that I can't even point out enough riders cause I will always miss some of my favourites, to be fair. The riders, however, whom I will looking at will be:

Juan Ayuso, who will prepare for the U23 race in Leuven, but can show his potential in this race.

David de la Cruz, who comes from a stellar Vuelta and is able to carry this form to the Ardennes as well.

Benoit Cosnefroy, for whom the queen stage might be a bit too much, but he is in the form of his lifetime.

Ben O'Connor, who I haven't seen racing in a while, but he can also do some harm on hills.

João Almeida, the winner of Tour of Poland and the best TT-er of this race.

Mauri Vansevenant, who I think can achieve his first career top 3 in GC.

Thibaut Pinot and Sebastien Reichenbach, who have shown very promising signs in the past weeks.

Esteban Chaves and Markus Hoelgaard who wants to say a happy farewell to their teams (Hoelgaard was top 10 in Trento so he has good legs.

And I also expect Caleb Ewan to win the sprints in a comfortable manner.

My verdict:

It will be a close race with the top 3 covered by maximum 15 seconds - but after Poland, João Almeida will win Tour of Luxembourg as well.