Having made for some epic racing this year, the cobbles of Northern France are back, with seven secteurs packed into the final 120km of stage four.

The stage is the longest of next year’s race at 221 kilometre but it is not just endurance needed by the riders, but daring too – as Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) proved last time out.

One sector of pavé in Belgium, before six in France add up to 13.3 kilometres of cobbles in total – 300 metres more than last year.

If the torrential downpours which greeted the riders on the cobbled stage five last year are repeated, it will not be a happy day in the saddle but even without the rain there is plenty to play for.

Lars Boom excelled last time out, and having teamed up with Nibali at Astana for next year he could play a key role for his team-mate.

As the old adage states, it is not a stage where the Tour can be won but is certainly one with the potential to cost a rider their overall ambitions.