'Like having to ride the Koppenberg' – Riders, teams criticise unexpected route on Tour de France gravel stage

The peloton negotiating the thick gravel roads in Troyes on stage 9 at the Tour de France
The peloton negotiating the thick gravel roads in Troyes on stage 9 at the Tour de France (Image credit: Getty Images)

As is always the case when a Grand Tour incorporates 'off-road' sectors into its parcours, opinion on the gravel-heavy stage 9 of the Tour de France in Troyes has been mixed.

The race has memorably visited the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix in the past and has also included gravel roads at the Plateau des Glières, too. Sunday's stage was the biggest day of gravel roads yet at the race, however.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.