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making the time limit
This is what I was getting at. He lost 35 mins on Etna. I know it’s all calculated but I think tomorrow will be raced absolutely eyeballs out.
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I'm not convinced, it depends who wants to get in the break and how quickly it goes. A break would likely need at least 5 minutes on the peloton at the foot of the final climb and anyone who is a perceived GC threat won't get that much leeway. If the break goes quickly and consists of non-threatening GC riders then the peloton will ride tempo for most of the day.
I can't see the GC fight starting before the final climb, so it'll be a controlled stage rather than the eyeballs out free for all that we saw on Friday.
Specifically on Etna, Cavendish made the time cut with almost ten minutes to spare, so was completely in control of the situation.
andyp
There's two, and possibly three, sprint stages next week. Cavendish has always been a sprinter who's speed declines slower than his rivals over the course of a three week race, so he won't quit unless he's sick, as his chances of winning more stages are good.
Tomorrow's stage has a really tough opening though, with three climbs in the opening forty kilometres, so making the time limit is going to be a stage long effort.