Greig Leach

According to Jens Voigt (former racer now commenting on the Tour for NBC/Universal) Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) had been riding this finale in training for months. He lives in the area and according to local cycling fans, he could regularly be seen testing the climb and just how fast he could descend down the other side of the final climbs. On the way up the Cote de Mutigny he left the peloton in search of a solo run to victory in Epernay. Should he pull it off, all of France will be cheering the Frenchman's name.