"It is always difficult to estimate whether it will be a breakaway or a thinned-out peloton" - Mathieu van der Poel eyes opportunity on stage 10

Stage 10 of the Tour de France is a day where the breakaway will certainly succeed, as the riders face a very hilly day into Issoire. Mathieu van der Poel starts the day as a candidate and will be out to seek his first stage win.

"Today's and Thursday's rides look okay on paper, although it is always difficult to estimate whether it will be a breakaway or a thinned-out peloton," Van der Poel said to the Sporza cameras. The 10th day marks the start of the second week of the race, and within the hills of the Massif central the riders find an explosive uphill start and after a day full of small ascents, a downhill finale.

To control this stage would be almost impossible for any team, plenty rouleurs, sprinters and classics specialists will try to benefit from such a day to try and win a stage. The Dutchman has until now fully focused on his support for Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jasper Philipsen's goals, but with three stages and the green jersey pretty secure, van der Poel should now have more freedom.

Equally, the stages that suit him best now arrive. It's not a good Tour route for pure puncheurs, however it is in the second week that there are two hilly days that suit these riders the best. Van der Poel will only be one in many quality riders trying to get a meaningful triumph.