IN any Tour de France there are those stages where the peloton takes a bit of a breather and lets the stage-win hunters have their day in the spotlight.

But then there are always three or four stages that the main contenders will have imprinted on their minds as those where the race will be won and lost.

Today’s column highlights some of those stages, along with the riders to watch. To help readers get even more into the mood, I’ve listed some accompanying food and drink from the relevant region.

Stage 1: Leeds to Harrogate

Okay, a bit of a cheat as this is NOT a key stage when it comes to determining who will win or lose, but it's ours so it made the list.

It also represents Mark Cavendish’s best chance of pulling on the Yellow Jersey for the first time in his career.

One climb up over Buttertubs Pass in the Dales and a long flat run in to Harrogate means that all the main contenders should finish safely in the bunch (unless a stray sheep causes havoc).

This stage should be a shootout between Cavendish and his two German sprint rivals, Marcel Kittel and Andre Greipel.

Eat and drink: Wensleydale Cheese and Black Sheep beer (the race passes the brewery front door in Masham).

 

Stage 2: York to Sheffield

Less of a cheat this one as I firmly believe this very lumpy route may catch some of the favourites out – particularly if the wind gets up on the tops.

No one is going to win the race on this stage, but vital seconds may be lost if a big name doesn’t make it into the winning group.

There are steep ramps all the way into Sheffield and this stage has been compared to some of the Belgian Classics like the Tour of Flanders.

Look out for sprinters who can climb a bit, like Peter Sagan, or possibly a Classics-style breakaway from the likes of Philippe Gilbert or Fabian Cancellara.

I’ll be shouting for Brit David Millar in his last season to go for it on this one.

Eat and drink: pie and mushy peas with Timothy Taylor’s Landlord bitter (brewed in Keighley).

 

Stage 5: Ypres to Arenberg Porte du Hainault

The stage that all the favourites were hoping wouldn’t happen due to the fact that the second half of the race is run over heavy cobbles.

All it takes is one slip, and half the field could come crashing down. Tour de France dreams could all be ended here with a quickly broken collarbone.

The tension will be heightened as the favourites will all be racing to be at the front and away from the danger of a mass pile-up.

Race favourites Chris Froome and Alberto Contador will be happy to get round in one piece.

The appearance of the cobbles may mean a rare Tour de France start for specialists Tom Boonen and Thor Hushovd.

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas may feature if he isn’t on “looking after Froome” duties all day. Otherwise Fabian Cancellara is a strong favourite.

Eat and drink: in homage to the Classics, a plate of Frites and a glass of Leffe beer are a must.

 

Stage 10: Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles

In 2012, riding in support of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome announced himself as a future winner of the race on the steep climb to La Planche des Belles Filles.

Before the final climb, the riders must first negotiate a total of five categorised climbs, which means the leading group towards the finish will be a select bunch indeed.

If all goes to plan (and that is a big if – much can happen in Le Tour), Froome will look to pull on the Yellow Jersey at this point and then hold it all the way to Paris.

This stage is purely for mountain goats, so expect to see Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali up there too.

The home support will have their hopes pinned on veteran Thomas Voeckler and his Europcar team-mate Pierre Rolland.

Eat and drink: Germanic sausage and sauerkraut washed down nice crisp Alsace white wine such as a Riesling.

 

Stage 18: Pau to Hautacam

With only relatively flat stages and a time trial (one of Chris Froome’s strengths) to come, this stage is the last chance for the other favourites to make a difference.

It features two legendary Tour climbs, firstly over the Col du Tourmalet and then with an uphill finish to Hautacam.

The relatively flat 60 kilometre start will mean a breakway gets clear, but expect it to be reeled back on the last steep slopes.

If Froome is in Yellow at the end of this stage, the Tour is his. If it’s one of his rivals, he’ll have to hope he makes up the time on the Stage 20 time trial.

Hard to look beyond the big favourites for the stage win. If he’s home and dry, Froome may give the nod to principle lieutenant Richie Porte to go for a win of his own.

Eat and drink: duck is prevalent in south west France, so tuck in to a couple of legs and a glass of earthy vin rouge.