Caleb Ewan Sprints to Second Stage Win!

Caleb Ewan's burst of acceleration inside 100 m left in today's stage put him in front of several of the world's best sprinters.  In fact, 48 of 162 cyclists (about 30%) who finished today's stage earned the same time Ewan achieved.  But Ewan got all the glory after coming in first (click on image for a larger view).

Ewan is in red and white, about to cross the finish line at a blistering 66 kph (41 mph).  Our model did wonderfully today.

• Stage 16:  3h 57' 08" (actual), 3h 53' 10" (prediction), 03 58" fast (-1.67% error)

That's what I like to see!  Check out Ewan's average speed.

• Stage 16:  12.44 m/s (44.78 kph or 27.83 mph)

Tomorrow's Stage 17 is hilly and 200 km (124 mi) long.  Riders begin at Pont du Gard and travel northeast to Gap, where the Alps will be waiting for them.  Much of the first half of the stage is uphill.  Our prediction is given below.

• Stage 17:  4h 42' 42" (prediction)

Even if the leaders in the general classification lay back a bit in preparation for the Alps, I hope to see the sprinters flying downhill at the end.