This is the longest stage of this year’s Tour, and we’ll have Chartres’ spectacular Gothic cathedral to welcome us at the end. The route takes us across the fertile farmland of Northern France, with golden wheat fields as far as the eye can see, and this will be a good stage for sheltering in the bunch, and practising our group riding skills. For pilgrims in the 14th century, arriving in Chartres was the end of a long, painful and poignant journey – by the end of 231km, we may well feel the same!
