As the United State celebrates Independence Day on Wednesday, the 2012 Tour de France pedals on from Abbeville to Rouen. This 214.5 kilometer course pits the cyclist against a plain level on Stage 4.
This is one of the longest stages in this year's Tour, with a start along the Alabaster coast of Normandy before heading inland at Fécamp for the interior of France at Rouen. Fécamp will be the site of the intermediate sprint and transition into the last of four Category 4 climbs.
There is a bit of a rise toward the end of the course, but it flattens out near the end, which means we should have another sprint finish. Mark Cavendish has already won a sprint finish on Monday. Can he make it two on Wednesday?
Start time: 4:10 a.m. MT
Expected finish: 9:24 a.m. MT
TV: NBC Sports Network, as always, begins its coverage at 6:00 a.m. MT.
SB Nation Denver is your source for 2012 Tour de France updates on Team Garmin-Sharp, and be sure to visit cycling blog Podium Cafe as well.
