We leave the medieval ramparts of Binche, finally arriving on French soil as we head south through the ancient forests and hedge-trimmed lanes of the Avesnois national park. This will be great for group riding with the second half of the stage in a particularly picturesque part of northern France.
The landscape will open out as we find ourselves in the rolling Champagne region (cue vineyards and chateaux), and the afternoon will feel almost hilly as we enjoy a series of short punchy climbs in the final 30km, before a short warm-down along the Marne valley into Epernay.
