Only one categorised climb, inside the first 35km, but this day undulates constantly between sea level and 500m-plus altitude and is the second-longest of the race. It’s not quite ambush territory, and the downhill run-in should see a large group contest the stage win. Stages like this are a speciality of the Giro – neither particularly flat, nor hilly, just hard.
TOPICS
-
Tour de France stage 9 LIVE: The race heads into the Massif Central on a shortened day which suits the breakaway
On the eve of the first rest day, a possible breakaway stage into Ussel -
How to watch Tour de France Stage 9: All the broadcasters and live streams as the breakaway riders get an opportunity
Find out how you can watch stage 9 of the Tour de France -
'The three of four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders' – Tour de France director backs salary cap for professional cycling
Christian Prudhomme weighs in on question of salary regulation in interview with The Athletic, saying 'it is necessary to rebalance' the spread of talent in the peloton -
Tadej Pogačar's dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities - Luke Plapp's Tour de France diary
The Australian rider shares his opening week insights, including TTT disappointment, feeling at home in the heat, and why Pogačar's early exploits could help him and his Jayco-AlUla teammates
