This is the longest stage of the Tour de France and after a taste of the Classics the day before, Stage three will pass through locales like Wallers, Denain and Solesmes that are familiar to Paris-Roubaix. The stage then passes through Fontaine-au-bois, the home town of former Tour boss Jean-Marie Leblanc. The rolling course with a following wind should provoke an early breakaway that will come back for another massive sprint.
Climbs:
Km 202: Côte de Blérancourt: 1.0 km climb @ 4.6% avg. grade / 4th Cat.
Sprints:
Km 33.5: Tournai (Belgium)
Km 104.5: Fontaine-au-Bois
Km 167.5: Achery