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It's time for another Tour de France Grand Depart! This year's tour kicks off in Denmark and nowhere is there a more cycling-friendly culture. Stage 1 starts in Copenhagen, where there are more bicycles than residents! The tour starts with a short 13.2 km crepe-flat individual time trial. This course is one for the power-monster TT specialists. Despite 20 turns, there will be little to no breaking and lots and lots of sustained watts. On such a short course, the stage speed record of 55.446 km/hr could be challenged by the current TT World Champ, Filippo Ganna.

Weather Forecast

While Denmark is known for blustery wind conditions, we don't expect the wind to impact the race significantly; however, current forecasts call for rain which can throw a wrench into those 20 turns. Riders that can handle their bikes well in adverse conditions and have good acceleration power will do well if things get slick. Oddly enough, molecularly speaking, damp air is faster than dry air, so expect times to be quite fast in wet conditions.

Stage Analysis

This stage is most likely Ganna's (INEOS Grenadiers) to lose; however, with many of the teams using BBS, several riders could put up a good challenge. One of our favorites is Luke "Turbo Durbo" Durbridge. For the last 10 years, he and Rohan Dennis have been trading Australian National TT titles back and forth. That said, if anyone wants to go for that 55.5 km/hr mark, it will take a herculean effort of around 500 watts. We expect speeds to be closer to 53 km/hr, which is still above 450 watts!