Tour de Picardie 2013 to Take Place 10, 11 and 12 May

The 67th Tour of Picardy this month will feature three stages.

Long stages without any real climbs that are sometimes exposed to the wind often force the riders to cycle in bordure formation. The stages also allow teams of sprinters to fine-tune their reflexes, both in preparing for a chase and for the sequences in the final few kilometers.

This is exactly what the Tour of Picardy has to offer. With a small climb to spice up the section at Flixecourt, a gentle curve at Bailleul-sur-Thérain and after a long straight line at Soissons, the three finishes will be judged after a final loop circuit which is bound to be lively.

The Argos-Shimano team will be the team to watch out for. After leading John Degenkolb to victory last year, the Dutch team is now counting on Marcel Kittel to win the race. But the German national will be striving to do so whilst challenging Arnaud Démare on his home soil of Picardy. He will also have to keep a close eye on another fast-rising star of French sprint, Bryan Coquard.

Tour de Picardy 2013 - The Stages

- Friday, 10 May, stage 1: Guise - Flixecourt, 190 kms
- Saturday, 11 May, stage 2: Oisemont - Bailleul-sur-Thérain, 171 kms
- Sunday, 12 May, stage 3: Nanteuil-le-Haudouin - Soissons, 171 kms