TDF 2024:- Stage 8: Semur-En-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, 183.4km ***Spoilers***
Stage 8: Semur-En-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, 183.4km
July 6th
Start Time: 12-05BST.
Stage 8 will be another day for the sprinters if they can survive the 2,400 metres of elevation gain in the 183.4km route from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. Although no altitude records will be broken, the first two-thirds of stage 8 will feature five categorised climbs. The climbs are neither long nor steep, but the endless succession will add to the fatigue. The last KOM climb is crested with 61 kilometers remaining. The bad news, however, is that it’s not entirely flat after that..
It’s a first for Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, while starting venue Semur-en-Auxois featured once before on Le Tour.
Profile.
Map.
The Climbs.
Côte de Vitteaux (Cat. 3)
Côte de Villy-en-Auxois (Cat. 4)
Côte de Verrey-sous-Salmaise (Cat. 3)
Côte de Santenoge (Cat. 4)
Côte de Giey-sur-Aujon (Cat. 4)
Final Kilometres.
The relentless ups and downs may put a strain on the legs at the point when the sprinters’ teammates are starting to think about setting up a bunch finish. But the last three kilometres of the final straight, which rise slightly but steadily, could be the ideal place to bring the peloton back together.
![stage-8-route-finale[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/6P139QFW89Q7/stage-8-route-finale-5b1-5d.jpg)
![stage-8-profile-finale[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/9L8WGZLP87XD/stage-8-profile-finale-5b1-5d.jpg)
What to Expect.
Something similar to what we saw from Alpecin during the Giro? There’s a good chance that teams of power sprinters will keep the pace high throughout the day to exhaust and neutralise the pure sprinters. Having said that, the possibility of a successful breakaway cannot be ruled out.
Semur-en-Auxois
Stage town for the second time
Canton chef-lieu in Côte-d'Or (21)
Population: 4,200
SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS AND CYCLING
In 2007, Semur-en-Auxois served as the launch pad for a stage won in Bourg-en-Bresse by Tom Boonen ahead of Oscar Freire and Erik Zabel. That day, Bradley Wiggins launched a 191-km breakaway, but was reined in with 7km to go. In 2008, Semur-en-Auxois hosted the French road championships, won by Nicolas Vogondy.
Specialities: Burgundy snails, parsley ham, Burgundy truffles, beef bourguignon, gougères, oeufs en meurette (eggs in wine sauce). Burgundy wines. Epoisses.
Epoisses:
Epoisses is a soft, washed-rind cheese produced in the village of Epoisses, 13 km from Semur-en-Auxois. It generally weighs 250 grams but can be found in larger sizes. This cheese, which contains 24 pc fat, is matured by being rubbed with marc de Bourgogne. Its ivory-orange to brick-red colour is due to surface bacteria. It has had an AOC since 1991 and an AOP since 1996. Its origins date back to the 16th century.
Colombey-les-deux-Églises
Stage town for the first time.
Town in Haute-Marne (52)
Population: 750
Specialities: champagne, andouilles, Haute-Marne specialities, Langres cheese. Champagne fondue. Caisses de Wassy (meringues).
Champagne
Colombey-les-deux-Églises is close to the champagne-growing area and there are a number of specialist winegrowers in the vicinity, including Champagne A. Viot et Fils, which is 10 km from the village, and Champagne de Barfontarc, which is 15 km away.
Andouille
Andouillette is a French specialty sausage made with pork meat and intestines, onions, wine, pepper, and other seasonings. The sausage contains parts of pig's colon, which is the reason why it is considered to be an acquired taste, as it has an intense, unusual smell which is described by some people as reminiscent of urine. (yum yum)
The sausage can be served hot or cold, and it can be barbecued, boiled, or pan-fried. It is traditionally accompanied by vegetables in red wine sauce or roasted potatoes with a fresh salad on the side.
![andouille-640x360[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/HKLUHZY1X6VV/andouille-640x360-5b1-5d.jpg)
Comments
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I don’t see this one being a full bunch sprint. I reckon it will a breakaway win but if it does come back together I don’t see the likes of Cav, Groenewegen or Jakobsen being there
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It looks as if it's going to be cool and wet with a fresh Easterly breeze around Chaumont. Just about the right direction to dust off the klaxon again....
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
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Gutted about that. Oh well, I'm all in for Girmay in green now
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The PCS preview feed has it as:
It’s raining at the start, followed immediately by Mads Pedersen won’t start.
I’m guessing it’s due to his crash the other day and not because he didn’t fancy getting wet 😉
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Yes, he's got pain in his shoulder and is struggling to handle his bike:
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So, we come through Sexfontaines today.
snicker
Wonder if they have a giant cock in the town square like we saw two days ago
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Flag down and they're off. Lots want in today.
Powless, Abrahamsen, Bisseger all go straight off
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Blocking attempts across the road behind but that failed
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Not for long it didn’t. Expected more to try and get in the break
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Three climbs coming up, expect more racing there.
After them, the intermediate sprint could liven things up as well
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Hopefully.
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A break of three should guarantee we end up with a sprint.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Shame about Mads DNS, might have been his sort of stage when fit.
Damp roads, hopefully no horrid crashes!
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2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
Sean Kelly called this move
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Cav’s gang already forming out of the rear.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
"Lotto-Dynasty" according to Kelly. 😁
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This is fun, isn't it?
The favourites for a hard day today are similar to tomorrow right?
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Looks active ...did Healy try and bridge to the break?
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Bloody hell, I chose the wrong moment to go and make a sandwich
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EF sit up? The f*ck?
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I was hoping today would be one of those stages where anarchy reigned supreme, looking good so far.
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Where's Girmay
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
EF seem really keen to get Healy into the breakOK, I've got no idea what EF are doing. Two guys in the break, Healy made repeat attempts to get across, the two guys sit up, maybe for a bridge, and then they're all back in the peloton again. What a waste of effort
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Their potential stage winner not there if it all calms down behind, needs to be harder to get rid of the sprinters.
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It’s been excellent race commentary today. No fluff, nothing irrelevant.
I am afraid things are about to change.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
But they've started riding again, just ahead of the peloton.
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My mistake, they are still out there, just in front of the peloton. Let's see if Healy can bridge
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Ef plan fail?
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
