Tour de l'Ain 2023 Betting Favourites

Country: France
Level: Dot 1
Total Stages: 3
Mountain Stages: 2
Sprint Stages: 1
Time Trials: 0
Stages: LFR

We won't go into explicit detail for a dot one race. But given that odds have dropped and it's viewable on GCN this week we felt we should make a post about it given that we're doing the research anyway.

Overall the course is decently difficult. The third and final stage is exceptionally pronounced with climbs. Nothing of extravagant gradient, but combine that with the day before and you're looking at some serious elevation.

There's not a ton of competition compared to last year given the placement of the World Championships back into August and only a few days from now. Skjelmose won it last year for example and is going to Worlds.

For overall the Paret-Peintre brothers are looking strong this year and get the French / France boost and are mid range value at the moment. We're liking Herrada for a top three performance but they're quite short.

Dark Horses

Axel Mariault finished 5th on a stage last year from the break and given the dearth in competition might provide some value for a stage win.

We think Sébastien Reichenbach from Tudor Pro Cycling is worth a shout for the general classification given Tudor's strong general form this year. We think they'll probably be riding for him over Pellaud. Reichenbach finished 6th last year in the GC.

Stages

Stage 1

Elevation: 1046m

Likely a bunch sprint, hence why Hofstetter is so short. But we typically like to hedge against at least some GC action kicking off early given they always put the big names too long on the first day.

Like why not throw some down on Reichenbach or one of the PP brothers winning from the break at 501-751? We've always done well here. Not saying it won't be a bunch sprint though!

Stage 2

Elevation: 2208m

Stage 3

Elevation: 3056m

Nothing really above 7% - but that first kicker could definitely prove ground for a breakaway. That descent is steep.